Dust we kick up cuts Colorado River flow, scientists say
Monday, September 20, 2010 - 18:07
in Earth & Climate
Dark particles settle on Rocky Mountain snowfields and alter the melting rate, a study shows.The dark dust thrown up by human activity in the deserts of the southwestern United States hastens the melting of Rocky Mountain snow and ultimately reduces the amount of water flowing into the upper Colorado River by around 5%, scientists reported Monday.