Background Information
- The Aral Sea was once the fourth largest lake in the world at 26,000 square miles.
- In just fifty years, the lake has shrunk by a whopping ninety percent.
- The lake has also been split. There is a large portion in Uzbekistan and a small part in Kazakhstan.
Causes
- The Soviet Union wished to expand their cotton production.
- The rivers that fed the lake were diverted in a huge project.
- Without any rivers to replenish the lake, the water evaporated.
- Due to low rainfall and a hot, dry climate, the process has been surprisingly fast.
Effects
- The obvious environmental concern is the danger to the marine life.
- There is less water so less life can be supported.
- The economic concern is the damage done to the once flourishing fishing industry.
- The drying has “left fishing trawlers stranded in sandy wastelands.” (Dailymail)
- The drying has also left over salty sand, which can be carried by wind as far as Japan. This sand causes health problems to those it reaches.
Possible solution
- A joint effort is required for this problem to be solved.
- Arguments over scarce water harm chances of this joint effort occurring.
- The solution to the problem is a similar project to the one that caused it.
- The Volga and Ob Rivers must be redirected back to the lake.
- This will also result in destroying the advances in cotton growth, but in return for a better ecosystem, healthier people, and a restored fishing industry.
Heintz, J. (2010, June 4). Aral sea almost dried up: Un chief calls it "shocking disaster".
Retrieved from:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/04/aral-sea-almost-dried-up_n_524697.html
How the aral sea- once half the size of england- has dried up. (2010, April 5). Retrieved
from:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1263516/How-Aral-Sea--half-size-England--
dried-up.html
Refill the aral sea. (2004, September 27). Retrieved from:
http://www.ecoworld.com/other/refill-the-aral-sea.html
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