July 16, 2024
A new study has found that melting permafrost in the Arctic has caused streams and rivers in Alaska, USA, to turn from clear blue to orange. According to scientists, climate change has caused the permafrost in the Arctic to melt, which has led to toxic metals held within the permafrost for thousands of years to be released into waterbodies. These waterbodies are exposed to metals such as copper, iron, lead and zinc, which has caused discolouration and acidification. Scientists fear that the toxicity of some of these metals could impact ecosystems, fishing and the supply of drinking water in the region.
Watch this video to learn about the effects of melting permafrost
Image Source: scientificamerican.com
