Temperatures in the planet’s lakes are rising more than in the oceans – or the atmosphere.

And a new report says that could make conditions even worse in areas suffering from algae blooms – and dead zones where fish can’t survive because of oxygen depletion.

Combined satellite and ground measurements of 235 lakes were studied over the past 25 years. It was found that temperatures have risen an average of 0.61 degrees Fahrenheit (0.34 degrees Celsius) per decade.

And scientists say that’s a significant increase for aquatic ecosystems.

The lead researcher was Catherine O’Reilly of Illinois State University.

O’Rielly says warming temperatures are just part of the stresses damaging water quality – in lakes that people rely on.

The study predicts algae blooms will increase in lakes by 20 per cent over the next century – because of increasing water temperatures.