Climate Change and Its Impact on Water Quality in Major River Basins Worldwide

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing the quality of freshwater resources around the world. This paper investigates the multifaceted impacts of climate change on water quality in major river basins, including the Amazon, Nile, Yangtze, Ganges, and Mississippi. With rising global temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, glacial melt, and the increased frequency of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, the chemical, biological, and physical characteristics of river water are being significantly altered. These changes can exacerbate the presence of pollutants, reduce oxygen levels, increase sedimentation, and stimulate harmful algal blooms, all of which negatively impact aquatic ecosystems, human health, and agricultural productivity.

Furthermore, the paper explores how climate-driven shifts in land use, population pressure, and industrial development intensify the vulnerability of river basins to pollution and ecosystem degradation. Case studies from different geographic and climatic regions highlight both common patterns and regional specificities in how climate change interacts with anthropogenic pressures to affect water quality. Special attention is given to the socio-economic and public health consequences of deteriorating water quality, particularly for communities that rely heavily on river systems for drinking water, food, and livelihood.

In response to these growing challenges, the paper reviews current mitigation and adaptation strategies, including integrated water resource management (IWRM), early warning systems, and nature-based solutions such as wetland restoration and reforestation. The study underscores the urgent need for coordinated international policies, continuous monitoring, and transboundary cooperation to safeguard water quality in the face of a changing climate. Ultimately, the paper calls for an interdisciplinary approach that bridges climate science, environmental policy, and community-based water management to ensure the resilience of river basins worldwide.