The Impact of Surrounding Concrete Temperature on Dissolved Oxygen Levels in Flowing Streams: A Pilot Study

Abstract

As water warms, oxygen solubility decreases, which directly affects aquatic life. This relationship is critical for maintaining aquatic life, especially in urban environments where water bodies are often impacted by human activities. Concrete, a material widely used in urban infrastructure, has a high thermal mass, which leads to elevated air and surface temperatures, which are transferred to adjacent water bodies, raising their temperatures as well. Given that higher temperatures result in lower oxygen solubility, the elevated temperatures in urban streams may lead to hypoxic conditions, disrupting the balance of aquatic ecosystems. This phenomenon is particularly concerning because urban streams often serve as critical habitats for wildlife, despite their proximity to human activities. Although considerable research has focused on urbanization's effects on stream temperature and water quality, the specific role of surrounding concrete on dissolved oxygen levels remains underexplored. This pilot study was conducted over a period of thirteen months to explore the relationship between surrounding concrete mass of flowing urban streams and the dissolved oxygen.