\n
![](\"https:\/\/fortune.com\/img-assets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-120386318-e1716997155178.jpg?w=2048\")
<\/p>\n [ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n
Normally, the rivers that run through Alaska are a pristine blue. But lately, there have been a number that look rusty\u2014orange, even.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not pollution (well, not from any man-made source, at least). The discoloration is coming from permafrost that\u2019s finally thawing<\/a>, which is releasing metals\u2014including iron, zinc, copper, nickel and lead\u2014into the rivers.<\/p>\n A new study in the journal Communications: Earth & Environment<\/em>, finds climate change<\/a> has been releasing these metals into the water for up to the last 10 years, resulting in lower pH levels and higher sulfates.<\/p>\n \u201cArctic soils contain large amounts of organic carbon, nutrients, mercury and other metals, much of which are stored in perennially frozen ground, or permafrost,\u201d the report reads<\/a>. \u201cWarming and increased snowfall is causing widespread permafrost thaw, which alters and generates new hydrologic flow paths, can alter soil and bedrock weathering patterns, and mobilizes thawed chemical constituents for transport from soils to streams and rivers.\u201d<\/p>\n 70 Alaskan rivers are turning bright orange as acidic toxic metal escapes from melting permafros turning them bright orange and making water highly acidic so vibrant the rivers can be seen from space. \u2014 Tom MacSweeney (@TomMacSweeney) May 25, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n The additional chemicals in the water have been linked to \u201cdramatic declines\u201d in the number of fish in the streams and could have \u201cconsiderable implications\u201d for drinking-water supplies in rural Alaska. Vegetation near the streams is also blackened or dead.<\/p>\n Research on the discoloration began seven years ago\u2014and researchers say they will continue to monitor the situation, focusing on the impact on the state\u2019s environment and residents, as well as looking for the location of additional metal and mineral sources that could increase the contamination.<\/p>\n Warming climates are causing increased concentrations of metals in rivers in other parts of the world as well. Colorado has seen an increase<\/a> over the past 30 years and rivers from along the equator to the Alps have seen similar impacts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Live Science website reports problem is likely to get worse in the future. pic.twitter.com\/djN7mZFR1J<\/a><\/p>\nSubscribe to the CEO Daily newsletter to get global CEO perspectives on the biggest stories in business.\u00a0<\/span>Sign up<\/a>\u00a0for free.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n