Freshwater salinization syndrome on a continental scale
Abstract
Salinization and alkalinization impact water quality, but these processes have been studied separately, except in arid regions. Globally, salinization has been largely attributed to agriculture, resource extraction, and land clearing. Alkalinization has been attributed to recovery from acidification, with less recognition as an environmental issue. We show that salinization and alkalinization are linked, and trends in these processes impact most of the drainage area of the United States. Increases in salinity and alkalinity are caused by inputs of salts containing strong bases and carbonates that originate from anthropogenic sources and accelerated weathering. We develop a conceptual model unifying our understanding of salinization and alkalinization and its drivers and impacts on fresh water in North America over the past century.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- January 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1711234115
- Bibcode:
- 2018PNAS..115E.574K
- Keywords:
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- PNAS Plus,Physical Sciences,Biological Sciences,PNAS Plus (Author Summaries),Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences