Aral Sea Flashcards
Background
once 4th largest inland saline body of water - 68,000km2
been steadily shrinking since 1960s after the river that fed it was diverted to soviet union
61-70 Aral sea shrunk by 20cm a year, now it is at 80-90cm/y
Impact on economy, environment and health
- receding sea has left huge plains covered with salt and toxic chemicals
— land around aral sea is heavily polluted by the occupants - high rate of lung cancer
— fishing heyday employed around 40,000 people
— Town of Moynaq employed 60,000 people in fishing industry: now it lies miles from the shore
Future solutions?
geo-engineering via cloud seeding
protection of resources e.g. monomolecular film covering exposed aquaducts
large scale application of low-water solutions such as zero flush urinals