University of Colorado and the United States Geological Survey recently released a study that showed high levels of zinc and other heavy metals are occurring in the upper Snake River watershed. Old mining sites leach metals into the water, and the warmer temperatures have accelerated the process. Some areas in the upper Snake River watershed cannot support life because the metals have reached a toxic level. In the lower Snake River, trout populations have been found to be metal-limited. The phenomenon raises the issue of cascading effects from warming temperatures on water quality and ecosystem health.
Source: Summit Daily
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