Climate change and increases in drought and rainstorms pose serious challenges to our water management. Not only the availability of water is under pressure, but its quality is as well.
The research led by Dr. Michelle van Vliet of Utrecht University analyzed 965 cases of river water quality changes during extreme weather such as drought, heat waves, rainstorms, and flooding, as well as under long-term changes in climate."We looked at various water quality constituents such as
, dissolved oxygen, salinity and concentration of nutrients, metals, microorganisms, pharmaceuticals, and plastics," says van Vliet.heat wavesDuring droughts, less water is available to dilute contaminants, while rainstorms and floods generally result in more contaminants that run off from land to rivers and streams.
Water quality changes are strongly driven by changes in river discharge and water temperature. Land use and other human factors such as wastewater treatment also shape how this plays out. "Understanding the complex interplay between climate, land use and human drivers, which together influence the sources and transport of pollutants is crucial" says van Vliet. The research also calls for more
and studies of water quality in non-Western countries."We need a better monitoring of water quality in Africa and Asia. Most water quality studies now focus on rivers and streams in North America and Europe."
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