Abstract
Climate change and freshwater quality are well-linked. Changes in climate result in changes in streamflow and rising water temperatures, which impact biochemical reaction rates and increase stratification in lakes and reservoirs. Using two water quality modeling systems (the Hydrologic and Water Quality System; HAWQS and US Basins), five climate models, and two greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation policies, we assess future water quality in the continental U.S. to 2100 considering four water quality parameters: water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. Once these parameters are aggregated into a water quality index, we find that, while the water quality models differ under the baseline, there is more agreement between future projections. In addition, we find that the difference in national-scale economic benefits across climate models is generally larger than the difference between the two water quality models. Both water quality models find that water quality will more likely worsen in the East than in the West. Under the business-as-usual emissions scenario, we find that climate change is likely to cause economic impacts ranging from 1.2 to 2.3 (2005 billion USD/year) in 2050 and 2.7 to 4.8 in 2090 across all climate and water quality models.
Highlights
Climate change is projected to have widespread effects on freshwater quality due to increasing temperatures and changes in patterns of river runoff and extreme events [1]
This study aims to make use of both models to better understand the impacts of climate change on water quality in contiguous United States (CONUS), which is analogous to the common use of multiple General Circulation Model (GCM) in climate change impact studies to address the uncertainty of future climate projections
These focus on flow, water temperature, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and Climate-oriented Water Quality Index (CWQI), followed by WTP
Summary
Climate change is projected to have widespread effects on freshwater quality due to increasing temperatures and changes in patterns of river runoff and extreme events [1] (pp. 69–112). Climate change is projected to have widespread effects on freshwater quality due to increasing temperatures and changes in patterns of river runoff and extreme events [1] Rising water temperatures, reduced lake mixing, and increased biotic consumption of dissolved oxygen each reduce water quality [2] Evidence of rising river and lake temperatures [3,4] There is an economic value associated with these changes in water quality, measured in terms of changes in the quality of recreation opportunities and commercial activity. A variety of studies have examined the impact of water quality on activities such as river and lake visits, boating, and swimming and fishing in a number of geographic contexts. The authors of [7] provide an example of this by translating biophysical modeling estimates of water quality into human preferences and find households in Virginia are willing to pay $184 million per year (in 2010 dollars) to improve water quality
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
