• Scientists have found increasing levels of harmful metals like copper and zinc in Colorado mountain streams.
• These metal concentrations have roughly doubled over the past 30 years.
• This pollution comes from natural sources but is made worse by climate change.
• Higher temperatures likely cause these changes by melting frozen areas in the mountains.

April 26, 2024 — Colorado’s beautiful mountain streams are in trouble. A new study has found that heavy metals like zinc and copper are dramatically increasing. These metals, even in small amounts, can harm wildlife and ecosystems downstream. Even more concerning is that the levels of these metals have doubled in just 30 years.

What’s causing this? The rocks of the Colorado mountains naturally contain sulfide minerals. These minerals react when exposed, causing acidity and metal pollution – a process known as acid rock drainage. Climate change is accelerating this process. Warmer temperatures and changes in precipitation are likely melting frozen ground in higher elevations of the mountains. It’s this melting that exposes previously untouched rock to the elements, making the whole pollution problem worse.

This research shows the urgent need to understand how climate change alters our world, even in unexpected ways.

Report:  Climate-Driven Increases in Stream Metal Concentrations in Mineralized Watersheds Throughout the Colorado Rocky Mountains, USA

Authors: Andrew H. Manning, Tanya N. Petach, Robert L. Runkel, Diane M. McKnight

Research First Published: April 2, 2024

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