Drying of the Aral Sea

Background

The Aral Sea was once the world's fourth largest inland lake. it is between the border of Uzbekistan and Kazahkstan. The two rivers once flowing into it kept it from drying up in one of the driest places on Earth. Its fish stocks once formed a major source of income for those who lived around it. It is disappearing at an amazing rate and most experts doubt it will ever return to its past size.

Problem

Once a place of prosperity the sea is reduced to puddles. Its degradation began in 1960. With reduced water levels salinity has risen and fish stocks have disappeared. The economic prosperity of the region is gone with the water. Winds pick up the sand and dust and Central Asia is prone to dust storms. This are is now the Aral Karakum Desert.

Causes

The two rivers once flowing into it, Syr Darya and Amu Darya, were diverted in the 1960s by the Soviets. While the Syr Darya in Kazahkstan has been rediverted the three smaller lakes have been reduced to two as the southeastern lake dried up. Uzbekistan has yet to redivert its river as their economy relies so heavily upon cotton which requires vast amounts of water to grow.

This region has no future without the sea. The seasons have become more extreme. It expects about 90 days of dust storms. The decreasing water quality is affecting people detrimentally. The fishing villages are between 90-200 km away from current levels. The cotton which caused this environmental calamity has depleted the water and has driven all flora and fauna to die. Without water there is nothing.

Fixing the Problem

Rediverting the rivers and sustainable irrigation are the only solutions. Fish stocks are once again sustaining people in one of the remaining seas but it is still vanishing. Even if both rivers were rediverted it would take at least 75 years to refill the sea.

Sources

"And It's Good Night from the Aral Sea." Economist. 14 may 2012. Web. 8 March 2012.

Chameides, Bill. "The Aral Sea - Geoengineering Gone Awry." Nicholas School of the

Environment. Duke, 22 July 2009. Web. 8 March 2012.

"Factbox: Key Facts about the Disappearing Aral Sea." Reuters. Ed. Catherine Evans. 23 June 2008. Web. 8 March 2012.