Water - Aral Sea Flashcards
1
Q
What was the primary cause of water loss from the Aral Sea?
A
Soviet canal building
Develop irrigated cotton + rice farms
2
Q
How inefficient were the irrigation canals?
A
70% of water either leaked or evaporated
3
Q
Describe the rate of decrease of the Aral Sea
A
1960-98 - volume down 80%
2007 - 10% of original size
80-90cm yearly loss 1980s
4
Q
What have been the main impacts of the shrinking Aral Sea?
A
Port closure
Loss of fishing industry
Sea bed exposure - climate
Plant + animal death
5
Q
How did sea bed exposure harm the local communities?
A
Contained chemicals + pesticides
Dry sea bed whipped into toxic dust storms
Respiratory disease + cancers
6
Q
How did the Uzbekistan govt. get involved with the Aral Sea?
A
Began oil + gas exploration
Further degradation
