| Autor: |
Williamson CE; Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, USA. craig.williamson@miamioh.edu., Madronich S; National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, 80307, USA., Lal A; National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2600, Australia., Zepp RG; United States Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia, 30605, USA., Lucas RM; National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2600, Australia., Overholt EP; Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, USA., Rose KC; Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, 12180, USA., Schladow SG; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, California, USA., Lee-Taylor J; National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, 80307, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Climate change is accelerating the release of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to inland and coastal waters through increases in precipitation, thawing of permafrost, and changes in vegetation. Our modeling approach suggests that the selective absorption of ultraviolet radiation (UV) by DOM decreases the valuable ecosystem service wherein sunlight inactivates waterborne pathogens. Here we highlight the sensitivity of waterborne pathogens of humans and wildlife to solar UV, and use the DNA action spectrum to model how differences in water transparency and incident sunlight alter the ability of UV to inactivate waterborne pathogens. A case study demonstrates how heavy precipitation events can reduce the solar inactivation potential in Lake Michigan, which provides drinking water to over 10 million people. These data suggest that widespread increases in DOM and consequent browning of surface waters reduce the potential for solar UV inactivation of pathogens, and increase exposure to infectious diseases in humans and wildlife. |
