Extreme warming of Amazon waters in a changing climate

• DOI: 10.31223/x56d9t
• Publication Date: 2024-07-22T19:48:31Z
• Authors: Ayan Fleischmann; Fabrice Papa; Stephen Hamilton; John Melack; Bruce Forsberg; Adalberto Val; Walter Collischonn; Leonardo Laipelt; Júlia Rossi; Bruno Comini de A...; Bruna Mendel; Priscila Alves; Maiby Glorize; Lady Custodio; Maria Cecília Gomes; Débora Hymans; Isabela Keppe; Raize Mendes; Renan Gomes; Paula Silva; Camila Vieira; Rodrigo Xavier; André Zumak; Anderson Ruhoff; Wencai Zhou; Sally MacIntyre; Eduardo Martins; Naziano Filizola; Rogério Marinho; Ednaldo Severo; Mariana Frias; Renata Oliveira; Lucas Lauretto; Waleska Gravena; André Coelho; Hilda Perez; Susana Mota; Michel Nasser; Daniel Moreira; Leandro Santos; José Reinaldo Peleja; Miriam Marmontel
• Keywords: Warming up; Climate simulation

In 2023, an unprecedented drought and heatwave severely impacted Amazon waters, leading to high mortality of fishes river dolphins. Five 10 lakes monitored showed exceptionally daytime temperatures (>37°C), with one large lake reaching up 41°C in the entire ~2-m deep water column, 13°C diel variation. Modeling show that solar radiation, reduced depth wind speed, turbid waters are main drivers temperatures. This extreme heating follows a long-term increase 0.6°C/decade revealed by satellite estimates across region’s between 1990 2023. With ongoing climate change, approach or exceed thermal tolerances for aquatic life likely become more common tropical systems.