ClimateChange Assessment Guide.pdf - University of Waterloo

Guide for Assessment of Hydrologic Effects of Climate Change in Ontario46Table 5.1 continuedProcess Directly Affected byClimate ChangeWater Quality ParametersAffectedDirect Effect on ParameterSecondary Effects/ConsequencesChlorideReduced need for de-icingstreets will reduce usage andresult in generally lower levelsin groundwater and streamsSurface Water Heat Exchange Water Temperature Stream temperatures willincrease on average due toatmospheric influencesDissolved Oxygen (DO) DO will decrease as warmerstream water leads to lowersaturation levels and higherbiological uptake ratesStressed aquatic flora andfauna and species shiftsWarmer water and higherCO2 levels could lead tomore instream macrophytesand wide swings in diurnalDO levels