80% of Earth's Rivers Are Quickly Losing Oxygen, Study Reveals

A new study of more than 16,000 rivers finds dissolved oxygen has fallen in nearly 80% since 1985.

Warming waters driven by climate change are the main cause of this widespread river deoxygenation.

Tropical rivers such as the Ganges and Amazon are declining fastest, with further losses expected by century’s end.

Lower oxygen levels threaten aquatic life, river ecosystems, and communities that rely on rivers for water, food, and livelihoods.