The color of rivers in Alaska turned orange, scientists are surprised by this unknown change [TKB Science]

The color of rivers, canals and other water bodies in Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska suddenly changed to orange. The orange-colored rivers were photographed by wildlife photographer Taylor Rhodes for the Scientific American Journal. The nearest village is 95 kilometers away in Kobuk Valley Park. Ecologist Patrick Sullivan of the University of Alaska Anchorage said that terrible pollution is happening from somewhere here. We are trying to find the reason. Patrick is traveling along the banks of rivers with his team.

When Patrick tested the pH of the water of these rivers, he found that the oxygen level was very low. pH level was 6.4. It has become 100 times more acidic than any normal river water. The amount of sulfuric acid is visible. High amount of iron has also been found in it. This water is no longer potable. The biggest river here is Salmon River. Hundreds of streams of which are spread in this valley. There are 1000 kilometer long peaks here. On which snow remains frozen. It is included in such rivers of America, where human access is very less. Therefore the possibility of pollution is less here. But scientists are worried because the color of the river is orange.

In the 1980s the water here was crystal clear. You could see the foothills. Pink colored salmon fishes were seen swimming in it. But at present, one-third part of this river i.e. about 110 kilometers length of the river has turned orange in colour. At least 75 streams of the river have changed their color. Regarding Kobuk Valley National Park, it has been predicted that the temperature here will increase by 10.2 degrees Celsius by the year 2100. This will melt 40 percent of the permafrost. Due to which the organisms and chemicals that have been frozen for millions of years will come out through the rivers. At present two theories have come forward regarding the changing color of rivers.

The first theory is that the minerals around the river are releasing acid, which could be the reason behind climate change. Or a large chunk of iron from beneath some bedrock has come in contact with water. The second theory is that some bacteria have decided to change their residence on a large scale. And they are changing places by flowing along the river.