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Scientists find climate change is reducing oxygen in rivers worldwide
Global warming has caused an average 2.1% drop in oxygen levels in over 21,000 rivers worldwide since 1985, threatening aquatic life, according to a study in Science Advances led by Qi Guan.
If the current rate continues, rivers in regions including the Eastern US, India, the Arctic, and tropics could lose between 5% to 10% of oxygen by the end of the century, increasing the risk of dead zones and fish suffocation.
Nearly 63% of oxygen loss in rivers is attributed to warmer water due to climate change, with nutrient pollution, dam construction, and flow issues also contributing and worsening pollution impacts noted by ecologist Emily Bernhardt.
Dead zones in rivers have become more frequent over recent decades, with significant increases such as in the Amazon, and scientists warn warming will further exacerbate oxygen depletion and threaten fish populations.