Articles tagged with Rivers
A FAU Harbor Branch study demonstrates hydrology impacts through high-resolution simulation model. Increased freshwater discharge contributes to intensified shelf water mixing that favors surface intrusion of Loop Current waters.
Scientists and anglers warn that Norwegian rivers are vulnerable to hydropeaking, which can kill salmon fry and other living organisms due to rapid water level changes. The study reveals that over 3000 km of river courses are impacted by hydropeaking from 802 hydropower plants.
The construction of dams and changes in land use have significantly impacted the amount of sediment rivers carry to oceans. Sediment transport has decreased by 49% globally due to dam construction, while increasing on 36% of rivers in the south, primarily driven by deforestation.
A new study reconstructs streamflow data for the Colorado River up to 800 years into the past, revealing an unmatched second-century drought. Compared to current drought levels, this 22-year period had only 68% of average water flow.
The Amazon River's biodiversity is under strong fishing pressure, indicating a stress that menaces the region's ability to provide protein and other essential nutrients. The research found that large-bodied species are more vulnerable to overexploitation and being replaced by smaller species.
Global mismanagement of phosphorus is causing twin crises, with skyrocketing fertilizer prices and pollution damaging biodiversity. The '50, 50, 50' goal aims to reduce global phosphorus pollution by 50% and increase recycling by 50%, while adopting more efficient use in agriculture.
Research by University of Texas Institute for Geophysics reveals how ancient global warming affected the Gulf of Mexico's marine life and chemistry. The study found that radiolarians thrived in the Gulf due to nutrient-rich river sediments, providing valuable lessons about current climate change.
A new SDSU study used radiocarbon dating to determine the timing of the last seven periods of filling during the Late Holocene, revealing six earlier lake fills between 1618–1636 and 1486–1503. The research sheds light on both the history of human occupation in the area and its seismic past.
A SUTD study has uncovered the reservoir filling strategies and operating rules of China's big hydropower dams on the Lancang-Mekong river. The data shows that dam operations remained steady during a severe drought, indicating no need for emergency releases to mitigate its impact.
International meta-analysis finds that streams and rivers' efficiency in retaining nitrates is nearly five times lower for agricultural catchments than pristine ones. Wastewater, agriculture, and urbanization are the top stressors affecting ecological functions, highlighting the need for urgent action.
Two new species of Amazonian fish have been discovered and described by Smithsonian researcher Murilo Pastana, one with vibrant red-orange fins and another that is technically a miniature fish. The species are at risk of extinction due to deforestation in the region where they inhabit.
A major new study is investigating the effects of beavers on the Arctic landscape, other animals, and local Indigenous communities. The project aims to understand the complex interlinkages between ecological and sociological changes as beaver numbers increase.
Researchers from CIIDIR-Oaxaca Amphibian Ecology Laboratory studied the consumption of tadpoles in stone soup, revealing its significance as an indicator of water health and the species' vulnerability to overfishing. The study highlights the importance of accurately documenting human interaction with amphibians.
The study found that stream gauges are disproportionately located in large rivers and human-occupied watersheds, but sparsely distributed in protected areas and non-perennial rivers. This is critical information for freshwater conservation and water security concerns.
Floating microplastics from European rivers are found to accumulate in parts of the Arctic Ocean, Nordic Seas, and Baffin Bay. The study's model predicts that these particles have been circulating throughout the Arctic for at least ten years, highlighting concerns for Arctic ecosystems' health.
A new study by University of Maryland scientists has developed a five-stage scale to track the progression of salt pollution in freshwater streams and rivers. The researchers found that road salts combined with other pollutants create
A new computational tool, 'Amazon EcoVistas,' analyzes proposed dam projects collectively for their energy generation and environmental impacts. The tool identifies hydroelectric dam portfolios that meet energy production goals with the least environmental harm, taking into account five environmental criteria and social values.
Researchers have found an unprecedented increase in winter stream flow rates over the last 25 years, with nearly 80% above average, driven by permafrost melt and forest fires. The combined effects of these factors are accelerating Arctic ice melt and exacerbating global warming.
Researchers found microplastics accumulate near river sources and take long times to be transported downstream, posing ecological risks. The study's model describes hyporheic exchange processes that retain microplastics in rivers for years.
The QUENCH network aims to discover how the quality of urban ecosystems affects nature-connectedness and health. Funded by £312,000 from NERC, UKRI, the project brings together experts in environmental science, health, psychology, social sciences, and more.
Researchers estimate that 4.7 million cubic meters of large wood enter oceans annually, negatively impacting coastal and marine environments. The study aims to raise awareness about the consequences of interrupting this natural process.
A study predicts that 6,150 km of new Pacific salmon habitat will emerge in the Pacific mountains by 2100, with most occurring in Alaska and the transboundary region. This newly formed habitat can support rapid colonization by salmon populations, offering local opportunities for some species but posing challenges under climate change.
Research reveals Arctic rivers are discharging much more water than previously thought, with acceleration up to three times higher than estimated. The RADR project assimilates satellite information into hydrologic models for the entire pan-Arctic region.
New research from a University of South Carolina scientist reveals that rising rivers pose a danger to coastal communities and those farther upstream due to climate change. The study shows how river processes affect entire watersheds down to the coast, contributing to more intense flooding.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a first-ever global river database tracking movement of the world's largest rivers over 40 years. The data reveals average migration rates for each river delta, helping identify stable areas and those experiencing major shifts.
A new project led by Cornell University's Flavio Lehner will improve climate models to reduce uncertainty in future water projections. The research aims to assess the sensitivity of models to changing environmental factors, such as temperature and greenhouse gases.
Climate change-driven reductions in precipitation and river discharge will diminish the Amazon's hydropower capacity, according to a new study. As a result, alternative energy sources like solar and wind are expected to become more important.
A six-year international conservation project aims to revive 24,000 freshwater pearl mussels in Finland and surrounding areas by improving habitats and removing human-made barriers. The project uses innovative methods such as drone-based surveys and shell opening resistance tests to monitor the condition of individual mussels.
International research reveals that children will face a disproportionate increase in lifetime extreme event exposure due to climate change. The study, led by Prof. Wim Thiery of VUB, quantifies the impact of climate change on children born between 1960 and 2020, showing they will experience more heatwaves, droughts, crop failures, riv...
A new five-year research project led by Thomas Neeson aims to model the impacts of conservation incentives on farmers in the Red River basin. The study will help understand how voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs can be effectively designed to promote sustainable water use.
A study by McGill University researchers found that planned hydropower dams could sever over 260,000 km of river, threatening free-flowing rivers globally. The dams would collectively generate less than 2% of the renewable energy needed by 2050 to keep global temperature increase below 1.5°C.
Researchers say surprise is a key factor in disastrous river floods, with improved flood warnings and protection measures contributing to declining casualties. Asia is the worst-hit region, with over 125 million people affected annually by such disasters.
Lauren Ross aims to better understand the mixing process in complex estuaries like the Penobscot River Estuary, which affects ecosystems and aquaculture. She will use on-site data and numerical model simulations to quantify the mixing processes.
Research in the southern Murray-Darling Basin has found a downward spiral in water availability, driven by accelerated changes in climate. Since the 1990s, cool season rainfall and river heights have significantly decreased due to increased evaporation and changed precipitation patterns.
A Japanese research team found that residents who engage in activities like camping and hiking experience increased happiness, while ownership has no effect. The study suggests better policies for enhancing forest relationships and measuring happiness based on the types of forest happiness.
Research reveals river plastic discharge is significantly underestimated, with microplastics at the surface lasting years instead of days. The study's findings confirm the existence of a 'missing plastic sink' but highlight the need for global action to address plastic pollution.
A new study found that between 51-60% of the world's rivers stop flowing periodically, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in river science and management. Non-perennial rivers provide critical water sources and support biological diversity, but are often overlooked and mismanaged.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the IEEE reveals that high-frequency signals can be managed more effectively than previously thought, addressing key challenges in 6G technology. The research has significant implications for applications such as haptic internet, mobile edge computing, and holographic communication.
A new collection of papers emphasizes the importance of protecting free-flowing rivers, which sustain biodiversity and food supply chains for billions. Despite being under-protected, these ecosystems face significant threats from human activities.
A new caddisfly species, Potamophylax coronavirus, was discovered in a national park in Kosovo and described in the Biodiversity Data Journal. The study highlights the impact of pollution and habitat degradation on freshwater organisms in the region.
Researchers found nearly two-thirds of wells have water levels below nearest stream, indicating rivers are leaking into aquifers. The phenomenon, exacerbated by human activity, may worsen in decades, with some rivers potentially disappearing, impacting downstream communities and ecosystems.
More than half of Earth's river basins have undergone significant changes in biodiversity due to human activities such as overfishing, pollution and climate change. Conservation efforts must focus on both protected and degraded areas to meet the goal of preserving at least 30% of Earth's surface by 2030.
Researchers found that the lower region of the Colorado River was once a vast marine tidal basin and humid paleoclimate. The discovery was made using data from ancient sedimentary deposits located east of the San Andreas fault.
Researchers found that small, community-based reserves in Thailand's Salween River Basin serve as critical refuges for fish diversity. These reserves contain on average 27% more fish species and 124% higher fish density compared to adjacent areas.
A new study published in Nature found that community-based freshwater fish reserves in Thailand's Salween basin have dramatically increased fish richness, density, and biomass. The reserves, established independently by local communities, protected over 40 species of fish and showed remarkable conservation benefits.
The London International Development Centre Director has led a successful funding bid for a project to filter out pollution in the Nairobi River. The river is ranked among the top ten global waterways in terms of pharmaceutical contamination, posing significant environmental and health hazards.
Researchers found widespread contamination of English rivers with neurotoxic pesticides fipronil and imidacloprid, exceeding accepted safe limits. The use of pet flea products is a likely source of the contamination, posing a high risk to aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered that rivers will jump course more often on deltas than in the past, with avulsions occurring up to 20 times farther upstream. The combination of sea level rise, increased floods, and finer sediment size enables these destructive events to occur ever farther inland.
Researchers investigate freshwater discharge from Russian rivers, mapping its spread in the Kara and Laptev seas. The study reveals how river plumes interact with wind forces, affecting ice conditions and biological processes.
Researchers from FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute conducted a fishery-independent survey to characterize the elasmobranch community in the Indian River Lagoon. The study found that many species use the lagoon throughout their life histories, and it may serve as an important nursery habitat for multiple species.
A study found that pallid sturgeon stocked in the lower basin of Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri live an average of just 19.8 years, nearly three times shorter than in the upper basin. The researchers also discovered that females in the lower basin weighed an average of seven times less and spawned fewer eggs over their lifetimes.
The Pan-European Atlas of In-Stream Barriers provides a comprehensive overview of river fragmentation in Europe, revealing that over 85% of barriers are small structures like weirs. Removing these barriers can help restore stream connectivity and minimize ecological impacts.
Research highlights human activity and climate change as major stressors to river systems, compromising their resilience and vulnerability to extreme events. The study emphasizes the need for urgent governance at local and international levels to address these issues.
A new study reveals that eels can serve as a key indicator of freshwater biodiversity, and their protection could greatly contribute to the recovery of ecosystems. The research found that two species of eel were widely distributed in Japanese rivers, serving as umbrella, indicator, and flagship species for conservation.
A study by the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country found that microplastics cause mortality in detritivores and reduce tadpole growth. Microplastics also attach to periphyton, altering ecosystem productivity, and are ingested by organisms, highlighting their potential impact on freshwater ecosystems.
Researchers developed a new estuary box model to simulate river plumes and outflows, improving ocean model performance. The CMCC EBM model successfully reconstructed river plumes and improved forecast accuracy in the Mediterranean Sea.
Research finds that river delta vegetation can delay and reduce floodwaters, providing communities more time to prepare for storm surges and flooding. The study suggests that managing vegetation type can decrease the impact of coastal flooding by reducing downstream water height.
A new study published in Science Advances shows that freshwater flowing into the North Pacific Ocean triggered widespread changes throughout the northern hemisphere during the last ice age. The researchers used computer modeling and fossil records to track the movement of floodwaters, which mixed with saltwater and altered ocean circul...
A new study predicts that proposed hydropower dams in Gabon will block access to freshwater habitats suitable for marine species, impacting at least 350 fish species. The dams may cut off 60% of the most suitable habitats in the Nyanga river, representing 392 river kilometers.
A new study predicts the Len Small levee will continue to fail even if repaired due to erosion and increased precipitation. The levee's failure has caused severe damage to homes and businesses, and agricultural land degradation.