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Extreme warming of Amazon waters in a changing climate
Ayan Santos Fleischmann1, Fabrice Papa2,3, Stephen K Hamilton4
1Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, Brazil.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|November 6, 2025
Summary
Amazon waters experienced extreme heat in 2023 due to drought, causing fish and dolphin deaths. This warming trend, linked to climate change, threatens aquatic ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Climate Science
- Aquatic Ecology
Background:
- Amazon waters faced unprecedented drought and heat waves in 2023.
- This event led to significant mortality in fish and river dolphin populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the drivers of extreme water temperatures in Amazonian lakes during the 2023 event.
- To analyze the long-term trends in Amazon lake temperatures and project future impacts.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring water temperatures in 10 Amazonian lakes.
- Utilizing satellite data to assess regional lake temperature trends from 1990-2023.
- Employing modeling to identify key factors contributing to high water temperatures.
Main Results:
- Five monitored lakes exceeded 37°C during the day, with one reaching 41°C.
- High solar radiation, decreased water depth, reduced wind speed, and water turbidity were identified as primary drivers.
- A decadal warming trend of 0.6°C was observed in regional lakes between 1990 and 2023.
Conclusions:
- Extreme heat events in Amazonian waters are intensifying.
- Climate change is projected to increase the frequency of temperatures exceeding aquatic life tolerances.
- Urgent conservation and climate mitigation strategies are needed for Amazonian aquatic ecosystems.
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