Although the last few months have been some of the warmest worldwide on record, including 17 countries reaching or breaking all-time highs, temperatures have not been above average everywhere. Cold air from Antarctica has brought chilling temperatures to parts of South America, including Bolivia where millions of fish and thousands of caimans, turtles, and river dolphins have perished according to Nature.
The estimated six million dead fish have poisoned some rivers in the region, forcing officials to find alternative water sources for local populations. Officials have also stopped fishermen from plying their trade, fearing that fish populations will take a long time to bounce back.
Scientists are unsure if the fish died from lack of oxygen due to colder temperatures or if a combination of cold weather and disease led to this rare event. Another researcher told Nature that the high mortalities may be due to higher burning of local farmland, perhaps leading to increases in river pollution.
Scientists say that proper studies are needed in order to uncover the exact causes of the fish mortality.
Citation: 27 August 2010 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2010.437.
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