Heavy Metals?

Climate change seems to be increasing toxic heavy metals in mountain streams across the globe. Rivers and streams are turning rusty red. It's a phenomenon not unlike that of Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD). In AMD, ceasing pumping in a working mine, results in remaining metals, being liberated in its water discharges. This impact on mountain streams has been clearly illustrated in a 40-year study reported in Water Resources Research (https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/may/22/warming-climate-turning-rivers-rusty-toxic-metals). The study was, appropriately, carried out in the US State of Colorado. Here, the rivers are now turning red with metal oxides. It recorded that mountain stream concentrations of copper; zinc and sulphates, had all doubled in the last 30 years. This is the time when climate change has been most impactful. About 50% of the increase, seemed related to drier weather with reduced stream flow. The other half may result from the thawing of underground ice, releasing metals contained in those rocks. Climate change may not only reduce water availability in some locations, it can also contaminate what remains for consumption.