A recent study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that sewage is the primary cause of nitrogen surges in the Indian River Lagoon, contradicting previous findings that fertilizer use was the main contributor. The study found that water quality and harmful algal blooms worsened after five years of mandatory wet season fertilizer blac...
Approximately 70,000 tonnes of pesticides leach into aquifers each year, impacting ecosystems and freshwater resources. The study showed that about 80 percent of applied pesticides degrade into daughter molecules, persisting in the environment for a long time and posing significant harm to marine wildlife and coral reefs.
Researchers have developed a new method to estimate river flow rates on Mars and Titan, utilizing satellite observations and mathematical equations. The technique allows for predictions of river flow times, sediment size, and potential support for life, shedding light on these celestial bodies' geological pasts.
The study found Asian clams in various habitats along the lower Columbia River, with high concentrations near warmer waters and sandy substrates. The invasive species can disrupt food webs and cause economic damage, raising concerns about potential future invasions by quagga and zebra mussels.
A new study reveals that Amazon river dolphins are under threat from fishing, proposed dams, and dredging, with their home ranges spanning over 50km. The dolphins were found to be on average 252km from the nearest proposed dam and 125km from the nearest dredging site.
A study by Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute found domoic acid toxin in 87% of samples from the southern Indian River Lagoon, which can harm shellfish, finfish, birds, and humans. The toxin is more prevalent in cool temperatures and high salinity waters, suggesting it may be a resident population.
A team of researchers from Syracuse University and Texas A&M University applied a machine learning model to explore the sources of salinization and alkalinization in U.S. watersheds. The study found that human activities, such as road salt application, were major contributors to salinity, while natural processes dominated alkalinity.
A new study reveals that diverting streams and rivers for irrigation can significantly extend the time microplastics spend in river catchments. Researchers found a strong link between urbanisation and microplastic concentrations, with microplastic loads increasing downstream of more urbanised areas.
A new Yale-led study found that river erosion generates biodiversity of freshwater fish species in the Appalachians. The research suggests that gradual internal dynamics of erosion isolate populations, leading to speciation.
A study suggests that river erosion can drive biodiversity in geologically quiet environments, such as the Appalachian Mountains. The research found that changing landscapes pushed a species of fish into different tributaries, leading to distinct genetic lineages.
A study found that more than 70% of Chinook populations have declined over the last 50 years, but some populations are recovering due to their diverse migration and spawning strategies. Cold water and marine habitats play a key role in their success, particularly for fall and summer stocks.
A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.
A study in Nature Communications Earth and Environment shows progress in Australia's nature-based rehabilitation efforts for sustainable environmental restoration. The research highlights the importance of adopting UN environmental goals as principles in river management to conserve river health and improve resilience.
Scientists have mapped the largest known woody deposit in the Mackenzie River Delta, finding it stores about 3.4 million tons of carbon. The deposit, covering 51 square kilometers, is an important part of the carbon cycle and has significant implications for climate change.
Alaskan rivers are experiencing increased streamflow during spring and fall seasons, driven by rising temperatures. This shift affects the formation and safety of river ice in winter, posing dangers for transportation and fishing, while also impacting traditional hunting routes.
Researchers at UToledo developed a new model to estimate the abundance of rare species like invasive grass carp in freshwater ecosystems. The model helps guide management strategies and provides insight into the effectiveness of control efforts.
Researchers analyzed decades' worth of Landsat imagery to globally attribute recent river regime changes to morphological or hydrological signals. Global-scale prioritization guidance is provided for future river protection and restoration efforts under the UN 2030 Agenda.
A new Cornell University study finds that non-white homeowners are more likely to invest in costly flood protection measures than white homeowners. Homeowners with mortgages and those who own their homes outright take the fewest high-cost actions, while renters tend to take none at all.
Millions of people living in river deltas face risk due to human activities such as damming and levee construction. Climate change is just one part of the story; local resource management can have a greater impact on delta sustainability.
A new study led by Florida State University researchers found that plants and small organisms in Arctic rivers contribute significantly to carbon export, accounting for 40-60% of particulate organic matter flowing into the ocean. This discovery highlights the importance of rivers as a crucial component of the modern carbon cycle.
Cambridge researchers observe Unio crassus mussels squirting water jets up to a meter away from the riverbed to increase the chances of their larvae attaching to specific host fishes. This behavior has never been seen in any other mussel species and may be crucial for the endangered species' survival.
Researchers found that Arctic rivers are not moving as quickly as predicted under climate change, with vegetation along the banks becoming more stable. This challenges long-held assumptions about the impact of warming on river dynamics.
The Nile River Delta faces significant environmental threats from heavy metal pollution and coastal erosion, impacting 60 million people in Egypt. The study highlights the need for conservation measures to slow degradation and recover the ecosystem.
Researchers found that levee building and subsurface resource extraction account for 40% of land loss in the Mississippi River Delta. A new sediment diversion project may help reverse land loss by releasing sediment into the Barataria Basin.
Researchers found that levee building and extracting subsurface resources are the main causes of land loss in the Mississippi River Delta, accounting for 40% each. The study suggests that reducing subsurface resource extraction may have slowed down land loss, offering a rosier outlook for restoration projects.
A detailed and dynamic model of the Earth's surface over the past 100 million years provides a high-resolution understanding of its creation and sediment flow to oceans. The model will help scientists predict future changes and understand ocean chemistry.
A team of BU School of Public Health researchers will study the cumulative impacts of chemical hazards and climate change on 21 communities surrounding the Mystic River Watershed. They aim to identify solutions that protect vulnerable populations from both chemical and climate stressors.
Researchers argue that polders are an important part of China's water heritage, reflecting the country's long history of water management. Over 2,500 years, polders have evolved in response to changing societal needs, adapting to agricultural modernisation and urban encroachment.
Climate change is disrupting Pakistan's natural system, making it challenging to predict future changes. A recent study found that streamflow timing in the country's four major rivers will decrease significantly, with a range of -5 to -20 days in the near future.
Researchers found that the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a 5-8°C warming event, was caused by high carbon dioxide and methane levels. The team's study provides new insights into sedimentary systems and the impact of seasonal changes on ocean turbidity.
A new funding proposal for a major rehabilitation of the 27 locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi River suggests a public-private partnership to finance the project. The plan, proposed by Iowa State University's Yoshinori Suzuki, could pay off in the long run and reduce delays and bottlenecks for shippers.
New analyses suggest that climate change alters global precipitation and evaporation patterns, leading to increased sensitivity in river water availability. This study revises forecasting models by incorporating local measurement data from over 9,500 catchments worldwide.
A study using tree rings reveals a 400-year trend of increasing droughts and floods in the Kabul River Basin, with severe events becoming more frequent. The research suggests that climate change is intensifying hydrological cycles, leading to devastating consequences for natural resources management.
Researchers emphasize the importance of freshwater corridors in the Amazon for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. The study highlights critical areas that need protection to safeguard healthy rivers and mitigate climate change impacts.
A recent study compiled over 125,000 river locations across 93 countries, showing that hypoxia in rivers is more prevalent than previously thought. The research found that 12.6% of all locations exhibited at least one hypoxic measurement, with warmer, smaller, and lower-gradient waters being most affected.
A team of researchers found that coastal habitats can adapt to rapid sea-level rise by utilizing abundant sediment, which can help salt marshes survive. The study's key finding highlights the importance of re-infusing sediment into estuary systems when dredging is necessary.
A new framework identifies barriers and context-specific measures for plastic use and disposal, guiding policymakers in selecting effective intervention measures. The framework has been tested in Kyoto City, revealing potential desirable behavioral changes, critical barriers, and corresponding intervention measures.
A new study by Environmental Working Group scientists reveals that consuming one serving of freshwater fish per year is equivalent to ingesting water with high levels of the toxic chemical PFOS for a month. The study analyzed data from over 500 fish samples and found median amounts of PFAS in freshwater fish to be 280 times greater tha...
A new mathematical formula has been developed to measure sediment transport in rivers, providing a crucial tool for scientists and planners. The formula takes into account the shape and features of individual sediment grains, allowing for more accurate predictions of sediment transport rates.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
Researchers found that microplastic mass sequestered in seafloor sediments mimics global plastic production from 1965 to 2016. The study revealed a tripling of microplastics deposited on the seafloor since 2000, with accumulation rates mirroring global use of plastics.
A study by Hokkaido University reveals that the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has caused more frequent heavy rainfall in the Mekong Delta, resulting in increased flooding risk. The findings suggest that better weather predictions and preparation can help mitigate the negative effects of floods and droughts in the region.
A new coupled computer modeling approach can accurately predict compound flooding events, such as the one caused by Hurricane Florence in 2018. This technique combines ocean and river models to better capture the interactions between storm surges and rain-induced flooding.
The study found that oxygen levels dropped to zero after the storm and stayed there for almost a month, leading to a 36-60% decline in adult fish. However, juvenile sturgeon survived and even increased in numbers two years later, suggesting a potential refuge upstream.
The Eurasian Ice Sheet sculpted Europe's landscape through extreme erosion over the last 100,000 years, with climate and geology playing key roles. The study reveals vast networks of subglacial rivers, promoting faster ice flow and sediment transport, with significant implications for marine carbon sinks and coastal communities.
The River Thames ecosystem has suffered a drastic decline in mussel numbers since the 1960s, with native species dwindling to nearly nothing. The invasive zebra mussel and Asian clam have also taken hold, further threatening biodiversity.
Researchers have launched five projects to investigate the impact of pollution on UK rivers, which fail to meet good ecological status due to pollutants like chemicals, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals. The projects aim to improve water quality, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a cost-effective method to measure river levels around the clock using a GNSS antenna and Raspberry Pi microcomputer. The device is capable of transmitting data continuously via mobile communication, making it suitable for area-wide flood warning systems.
Researchers found that summer rainfall and autumn-winter dry days are increasing, leading to fluvial discharge and sediment load in rainy seasons and water deficits in dry seasons. The Pantanal's complex geomorphology, including mega-fans and self-affine landforms, makes it susceptible to anthropic interference.
Researchers from SLU found that human proximity is the best indicator of microplastic presence in rivers, suggesting a significant impact of human activity on freshwater ecosystems. The study suggests reducing plastic consumption as a crucial step in mitigating microplastic pollution.
Researchers from University of Barcelona identify new biological indicators for assessing human impact on quality of waters in intermittent rivers. They found four groups of invertebrates with different levels of resistance to dry phases, which can be used to adapt current biomonitoring indices and establish reference conditions.
A new study by Stanford University scientists reveals that beaver dams can have a significant positive impact on river water quality in the US West. The dams raise water levels, diverting nutrients and contaminants into surrounding soils, which act as filters, improving water quality.
A new review highlights the lack of understanding about non-game native transplant (NGNT) fish in the US, which can have significant impacts on ecosystems. Researchers urge anglers and aquarium hobbyists to take steps to prevent NGNT invasions, such as not releasing bait fish into different watersheds.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design show that restoring natural water availability to the Mekong's floodplains is possible through coordination among hydropower producers. By altering dam release decisions and production plans, key components of hydrological variability can be restored, leading to improved ec...
A 460km-long river under the Antarctic ice sheet affects the flow and melting of ice, potentially accelerating ice loss. The discovery reveals more active water flow than previously thought, which could make it more susceptible to changes in climate.
Researchers have made a detailed study of the oldest map of the Coatzacoalcos river, showing its feasibility as a corridor between Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec was used to shorten the journey by two-thirds along the river and one-third overland.
A recent study found that alligators in the Cape Fear River basin have elevated levels of PFAS chemicals in their blood serum, leading to clinical and genetic indicators of immune system effects. The research team detected a significant association between PFAS exposure and autoimmune-like phenotypes in the affected alligators.
Research by the University of Exeter found high levels of antibiotic ciprofloxacin in UK wastewater, posing a significant risk to human health. The study suggests that antibiotic pollution from human waste can increase resistance to antibiotics, even in countries with well-established sanitation infrastructures.
Insect larvae may contribute to microplastic pollution in rivers by chewing up litter. Researchers found that larvae use sharp teeth to break down plastic into smaller pieces, building their protective casing.
The Great Salt Lake is losing freshwater input to agriculture and urban growth, causing salt concentrations to spike. Like Iran's Lake Urmia, it's reaching levels stressful for brine shrimp and brine flies, which are essential for migratory birds.