Global syndromes induced by changes in solutes of the world’s large rivers

Jiang Wu, Nan Xu, Yichu Wang, Wei Zhang, Alistair G. L. Borthwick and Jinren Ni ()
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Jiang Wu: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Materials Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Peking University
Nan Xu: School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School
Yichu Wang: College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University
Wei Zhang: Michigan State University
Alistair G. L. Borthwick: The University of Edinburgh, The King’s Buildings
Jinren Ni: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Materials Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Peking University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Solute-induced river syndromes have grown in intensity in recent years. Here we investigate seven such river syndromes (salinization, mineralization, desalinization, acidification, alkalization, hardening, and softening) associated with global trends in major solutes (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, SO42−, Cl−, HCO3−) and dissolved silica in the world’s large rivers (basin areas ≥ 1000 km2). A comprehensive dataset from 600 gauge stations in 149 large rivers reveals nine binary patterns of co-varying trends in runoff and solute concentration. Solute-induced river syndromes are associated with remarkable increases in total dissolved solids (68%), chloride (81%), sodium (86%) and sulfate (142%) fluxes from rivers to oceans worldwide. The syndromes are most prevalent in temperate regions (30~50°N and 30~40°S based on the available data) where severe rock weathering and active human interferences such as urbanization and agricultural irrigation are concentrated. This study highlights the urgency to protect river health from extreme changes in solute contents.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26231-w

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