Dhaka, May 17 — A recent research report indicates that rising temperatures are leading to a broad and ongoing reduction in oxygen content in rivers across the globe, presenting significant threats to aquatic environments.
Appearing in the journal Science Advances, the study was conducted by researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
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The group examined almost 40 years of information from more than 21,000 river sections around the world, applying sophisticated machine learning techniques to monitor oxygen level changes from 1985 to 2023. On average, oxygen concentrations dropped by 0.045 milligrams per liter each decade, with nearly 80 percent of rivers experiencing a reduction in oxygen content.
Tropical rivers situated between 20 degrees south and north were discovered to be the most impacted, which contrasts with previous assumptions. These waterways already experience lower oxygen levels and are losing oxygen at a quicker rate, raising the likelihood of severe low-oxygen events that could damage aquatic ecosystems.
Approximately 63 percent of the oxygen depletion was linked to lower solubility in warmer water, with ecosystem changes contributing 12 percent. Heatwaves added nearly 23 percent, speeding up the oxygen reduction.
Scientists highlighted risks to wildlife diversity and called for immediate policy measures, especially in tropical areas.
