Rising stream and river temperatures in the United States. Issue 9 (23rd March 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: 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
• Is Part Of: Frontiers in ecology and the environment. Volume 8:Issue 9(2010)
• Page Start: 461
• Page End: 466
• Publication Date: 2010-03-23
• Subjects: Ecology -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Ecology; Environmental sciences; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1890/090037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1540-9295

Abstract

Abstract : 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.