Published in 'Science', the study highlights a stark reduction in the duration of lake ice over the past 25 years. The research shows that melting begins at least a month earlier than in past centuries, with iced-over periods decreasing by an average of 31 days over the last 165 years. Thousands of lakes that once froze annually now experience ice-free winters.
"This has major implications for communities around the world that depend on these lakes for drinking water, recreation, fishing, and ice-road transportation, as well as for spiritual and cultural identity," Hampton said.
Hampton, Deputy Director of Carnegie Science's Biosphere Sciences and Engineering division, has spent nearly two decades researching freshwater ecosystems. Over the past 10 years, she has expanded her work to investigate global trends in lake ice loss in a warming world.
The review underscores the wide-ranging ecological impacts of ice loss, affecting both individual lakes and the broader dynamics of the Earth's systems. It also stresses the need for wintertime freshwater research, which has traditionally been limited due to the logistical difficulties of studying iced-over lakes.
Shorter ice periods and rising temperatures have already started to disrupt biogeochemical processes and microbial activity, increasing risks to water quality. Toxic cyanobacteria blooms, which thrive in warmer waters, pose dangers to both fish and humans, while low-oxygen conditions can release metals from lakebed sediment, further compromising water quality.
Lake biodiversity is also at risk. Warmer water temperatures can benefit invasive species while threatening cold-water organisms. Ice loss also affects the global carbon cycle, as lake ice has been found to sequester carbon. In contrast, warming lakes release methane and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.
Furthermore, reduced ice cover accelerates lake water evaporation, potentially reducing freshwater availability for surrounding communities, and it can lead to more intense snowfall and erosion. These changes necessitate more research into how lake ice loss is influencing the global water cycle.
Hampton stressed the urgency of addressing these issues, noting, "Over a billion people live near lakes that freeze, and these changes are now affecting people's uses of lakes." She emphasized that by studying these transformations in detail, scientists can develop strategies to mitigate their effects.
Although lake ecology in cold climates has been studied for decades, the field of wintertime lake research is still emerging. Earlier this year, Hampton and her colleagues held a "winter school" in Wisconsin to train young scientists on safe winter research methods, reflecting a growing commitment to studying iced-over lakes.
Looking ahead, Hampton concludes, "We need to invest in a deeper understanding of the crucial roles that lake ice plays in the health of our planet and in the communities that depend on these bodies of water."
Co-authors of the paper include researchers from institutions across North America and Europe, such as Baylor University, the University of Wisconsin, York University, the U.S. Geological Survey, and Uppsala University.
Research Report:Environmental and societal consequences of winter ice loss from lakes
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