Aral Sea - Case Study Flashcards
Where is the Aral Sea?
The Aral Sea is located in central Asia. it marks the border between Khazakstan to the North and Uzbekistan to the South. It is mainly supplied by the Amu Darya from the South and Syr Darya in the North.
What happened to the Aral Sea?
During the 1960s and 70s, under the Soviet Union, water from the Syr Darya and Amu Darya was diverted to irrigation canals to grow cotton and fruit. This has led to the Aral Sea shrinking by 90% since the 1960s and levels falling to a maximum of 40m (once 60m)
Economic Impacts of the ‘Aral Sea environmental catastrophe’?
The fishing industry, which once employed 60,000 people in villages around the lakeshore has collapsed. Unemployment rates are as high as 90%. Aralsk, once one of these lakeshore villages is now 60 miles away from the Aral Sea due to the sea receding. Fishermen now have to travel up to 300 miles to catch fish meaning the industry is no longer economically viable.
Environmental impacts
Toxic pesticides and salt from the sea bed are swept up by winds. this creates dust clouds which have contaminated the entire population. Climate change has resulted in higher temperatures leading to more evaporation. This intensifies the issues caused by high salt concentrations.
Reduction in biodiversity -Only 160 of the 310 bird species, 32 of the 70 mammal species and very few of the 24 fish species remain.
Social impacts
Extreme health issues caused by wind-blown salts, pesticides, fertilisers and pollutants from weapons testing. 10% of children die in their first year primarily from kidney and heart failure. 2/3 of women are anaemic due to poor diets as a result of the collapse of both fishing and agriculture. Higher salt in diet meant increased risk of kidney stones. Lack of protein means women die in child birth. Up to 10 million people have been forced to migrate as environmental refugees.
