How does climate change typically affect aquatic pollution?

Climate change significantly impacts aquatic pollution primarily by altering precipitation patterns and increasing runoff, which leads to a higher wash of pollutants into water bodies. As the climate warms, changes in weather patterns result in more intense and frequent rain events. This increased rainfall can lead to greater surface runoff, which carries a variety of pollutants—such as fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, and sediments—from land into rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Moreover, with the increased frequency of storms and flooding associated with climate change, there is an elevated risk of sewage overflows and the mobilization of pollutants that were previously contained or filtered. This phenomenon exacerbates water quality issues, leading to harmful algal blooms and dead zones, which can have severe impacts on aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Other choices present scenarios that do not reflect the realities of how climate change interacts with aquatic ecosystems and pollution levels. For instance, the notion that climate change decreases the amount of pollutants or reduces water temperature contradicts established scientific understanding. The focus on coastal water pollution alone overlooks the widespread impact that climate change has on freshwater systems as well.