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Episodic flooding causes sudden deoxygenation shocks in human-dominated rivers

Author

Listed:
  • Yongqiang Zhou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jinling Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Lei Zhou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wei Zhi

    (Hohai University)

  • Yunlin Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Boqiang Qin

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fengchang Wu

    (Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences)

  • R. Iestyn Woolway

    (Menai Bridge)

  • Stephen F. Jane

    (Cornell University
    University of Notre Dame)

  • Erik Jeppesen

    (Aarhus University
    Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research
    Middle East Technical University
    Yunnan University)

  • David P. Hamilton

    (Griffith University)

  • Marguerite A. Xenopoulos

    (Peterborough)

  • Robert G. M. Spencer

    (Florida State University)

  • Tom J. Battin

    (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL))

  • Peter R. Leavitt

    (University of Regina)

Abstract

Dissolved oxygen (DO) sustains river ecosystems, but the effects of hydrological extremes remain poorly understood. While high river discharge (Q) enhances aeration, floods also deliver oxygen-consuming pollutants, making net impacts uncertain. Here, we analyze daily DO and its percent saturation (DO%sat), and Q in 1156 Chinese rivers over three years. We show that DO and DO%sat decrease with rising Q in 69.1% and 55.7% of rivers, respectively. Floods (Q > 95th percentile) cause abrupt declines in both DO (19.7%) and DO%sat (16.2%) in 80.1% and 69.4% of the rivers, respectively, with the sharpest declines in agricultural and urban areas. These abrupt deoxygenation events link to increased ammonium and land-use intensity, causing more frequent hypoxia in developed regions. Contrary to initial expectations, floods often reduce oxygen levels, with faster recovery in urbanized regions. As climate change intensifies flooding, such sudden deoxygenation shocks may degrade aquatic ecosystems particularly in human-altered landscapes.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongqiang Zhou & Jinling Wang & Lei Zhou & Wei Zhi & Yunlin Zhang & Boqiang Qin & Fengchang Wu & R. Iestyn Woolway & Stephen F. Jane & Erik Jeppesen & David P. Hamilton & Marguerite A. Xenopoulos & Ro, 2025. "Episodic flooding causes sudden deoxygenation shocks in human-dominated rivers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62236-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62236-5
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