EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Wu et al. 2005
Wu, P., Wood, R. and Stott, P. (2005). Human influence on increasing Arctic river discharges. Geophysical Research Letters 32: doi: 10.1029/2004GL021570. issn: 0094-8276.

Climate models predict an intensification of hydrological cycle as anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere increase. As part of the process, high latitude precipitation and consequently river runoffs are expected to increase. Some observations have indicated that such a process may have started already during the late half of the 20th century. Arctic river flow changes simulated in HadCM3 with all historical external factors agree with river monitoring data reported by Peterson et al. <2002>. Model simulated total river discharges into the Arctic Ocean have increased by an annual rate of 8.73 km3 since the 1960s. Increasing high latitude precipitation is contributing a substantial part to the upward trend, which is likely to be the early stage of intensifying global hydrological cycle caused by anthropogenic factors, as we do not see the trend in the same model forced with natural factors alone.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Hydrology, Anthropogenic effects (4802, 4902), Hydrology, Precipitation, Hydrology, River channels (0483, 0744), Global Change, Abrupt/rapid climate change (4901, 8408)
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit