Premium
Rising stream and river temperatures in the United States
Author(s) -
Kaushal Sujay S,
Likens Gene E,
Jaworski Norbert A,
Pace Michael L,
Sides Ashley M,
Seekell David,
Belt Kenneth T,
Secor David H,
Wingate Rebecca L
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1890/090037
Subject(s) - streams , environmental science , eutrophication , ecosystem , global warming , urbanization , climate change , aquatic ecosystem , biodiversity , current (fluid) , productivity , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , oceanography , biology , nutrient , geology , computer network , macroeconomics , computer science , economics , geotechnical engineering
Water temperatures are increasing in many streams and rivers throughout the US. We analyzed historical records from 40 sites and found that 20 major streams and rivers have shown statistically significant, long‐term warming. Annual mean water temperatures increased by 0.009–0.077°C yr −1 , and rates of warming were most rapid in, but not confined to, urbanizing areas. Long‐term increases in stream water temperatures were typically correlated with increases in air temperatures. If stream temperatures were to continue to increase at current rates, due to global warming and urbanization, this could have important effects on eutrophication, ecosystem processes such as biological productivity and stream metabolism, contaminant toxicity, and loss of aquatic biodiversity.