Don’t Judge A Book by its Cover – Brown Waters are More Natural

Don’t Judge A Book by its Cover – Brown Waters are More Natural

In the last 20 years, lakes and rivers in the UK, and North America have turned brown. This is a result of carbon from dissolved organic matter. But researchers from UCL (University College London) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have concluded that this is actually a good change. They say this change points to the water becoming more natural; moving to a pre-industrial state with less acid rain. People have offered hypotheses to this problem including everything from global warming to changing land use. But the EPA says their findings show, that the major contributor to these changes is the decrease in acid rain. [1]

I was unaware that lakes and rivers were turning brown. It does make sense though that a decrease in acid rain would allow more organisms to thrive and decay into these water supplies. I must admit, if I saw a body of brown water, I don’t think I’d jump to the conclusion that ‘hey, that must mean its getting better!” I think we can all agree it is good to hear that some bodies of water are starting to return to a more natural state.

[1] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071121144957.htm. (viewed November 26, 2007).