The Problem with the Aral Sea - Term Paper Example

THE PROBLEM WITH THE ARAL SEA of Affiliation THE PROBLEM WITH THE ARAL SEA Aral Sea, once grouped among the top largest inland water bodies is situated in the plains of Turan. This sea stretches to cover parts of the republics of Uzbekistan and kazakstan. For many years this sea was considered a central hub were hunters, traders, merchants and fisher met and engaged in diverse economic activities. Aral is translated in Kazakh to mean “island”. These islands form one important highway referred as the Silk Road, which lead all the way from Asia to Europe (STONE, 1999). In the recent years, Aral has attracted the world attention following its great degradation, a factor that has been termed one of the worst man-made disasters of this age. Currently, this sea is ranked the eighth largest after dropping four steps down from its previous fourth position. The problems experienced today are traced back to moves made in the past that saw water from rivers Syrdarya and Amudarya diverted for use in irrigation. Consequently, the sea underwent serious shrinkage that altered the climate and thus livelihood of many people whom once dependent on these sea. General Problem Background The period marking 1960s experience a robust increase in irrigation activities, this in turn posed serious implications on Aral ecosystem. Such is the case that the Amudarya delta that is situated on the southern side of the sea formed a significant irrigation area approximated to cover about 28,000 sq. km. This area was used in the production of cotton and rice considered the most lucrative crops in the region. Following the onset of cold war, this region was set apart by former U.S.S.R to serve as a land that would offer freedom from the west. Although considered less productive, the planners never considered the possible desertification occurrence. Today, the Aral Sea faces a risk of vanishing after it retreated more than 100 km from its initial boundaries. People visiting this place will come across fishing boats abandoned and other marine equipment scattered all over the place. In addition, the area is marked by dusty plains that were once covered with water (Pala, 2005). The area began experiencing the negative effects after the water quantity diminished significantly to cause a rise in salinity. Consequently, the highly saline environment proved toxic to fishes and other wildlife living in the sea. The first case of this drastic rise in salinity was reported between 1970 and 1974, when it was insinuated to have risen from 12 – 14 percent. By early 1980s, the salinity level stroked a 23 percent mark, a factor that left close to 60, 0000 people jobless due to reduction in fish. This period marked the end of commercial fishing and many other related businesses. Further reports insinuate that 200 species of the known 500 species of birds existing in the region have perished in the last four decades. As it is now, waters from Syrdarya in the north and Amudarya in the south hardly reach the sea, thanks to the heavy diversions to cater for the many irrigation activities in the region. The period between 1960 and 1995 realized a great decrease in the sea’s surface area following a loss of about three quarters of the total water volume (Pala, 2006).This also marked a significant reduction in the water depth which is placed at 19 meters. Another significant damage relates to NE winds that are said to blow off salty dust from the sea to area close and far. This process has been linked to transfer of millions of tons of salt dust every year. Such is the case that aerosols are blown into higher layers forming the atmosphere, which later spread across the globe (Glantz, 1999).This is true, as evidence gathered from Antarctic penguin showed traces of pesticides used in the Aral region. This dust forms from mixtures of agricultural chemicals and the frequently used fertilizer considered toxic to both humans and animals. In this region, the salt and pesticide used find its way deep into the ground water, a process that has not only been linked to serious health problems but also other numerous agricultural complications. For instance, contaminated water has been said to flow downwards towards lowland reservoirs where it causes secondary salinization, a factor thought to impede irrigation. The region also experienced Climatic changes following the desiccation period. Prior to this period, the Aral Sea served to cool off the region in summer while in winter it softened the Siberian winds. This in effect served to regulate the climate experienced in the region. Two studies conducted in the region i.e. molosnova and small show that the effect of the Aral Sea shrinking accounts for about 50 to 60 percent of the climatic change experienced in Aral region. Studies made have placed the monthly air pressure increase at about 2perecent – 6 percent during summer period (Micklin, 1988). In the same trend, air pressure shows a decrement during winter. The impacts of these changes were more pronounced in the southwest region of the Aral Sea, the region where north –easterly wind blows. As a result, the area experience hot and short summers, long and cold winters and a significant fall in precipitations. The results of these climatic changes pose danger to people living in the region. Possibly, the worst implications of the Aral Sea issue relates to the health condition of the people in the region. In the period between 1980 and 1987, the hospitalization rates were reported to have risen from 20 – 25 in 100 people. The mortality rate also increased 15 times in a 10-year period and other health complications such as vascular gallstone, cardiac and tuberculosis showed notable prevalence (Aral Sea. 2005)... The increase in child mortality, which ranks highest in the region, follows the reported environmental deterioration. This deterioration, also considered an ecological disaster has been linked by medical research to cancer, blood diseases, heart malfunction and asthma. The Aral Sea issue has received great attention in the recent past, a factor that catalyzed the momentous measures taken from different levels. Even with these measures, it is still clear that no program already in place has been proven conclusive and able to achieve satisfactory progress. The way things are as per now, the sea will continue to face degradation, crops will yield less and drinking water remain contaminated. The worst of all is the idea that pollution will continue to increase (The Aral Sea Crisis 2013). With all this, the thought as to whether Aral Sea will face extinction or the programs in place effectively solve the problem remain to be the big questions seeking future answers. Melting Glaciers The effect of the desiccating Aral Sea with regard to melting Glaciers is least thought off by many of the concerned parties thanks to the fact that it is only an inland water body. Many view the earth’s climate as being vast to be affected by such a small sea. On the contrary, the Aral Sea has indeed caused a significant climatic modification not only in the region but also in regions far off. This has been attributed to the continued shrinking trend that has seen the region lack adequate surface area deemed necessary to curb the frigid north winds. In addition, the sea does not add moisture to the snowfall characterizing the mountains close and those located far as it once did (The Aral Sea Crisis 2013). Apart from the effects of the temperatures on the present mountain glaciers state, the increased salt and sand storms realized in this region has been found to travel wide and far settling on mountain glaciers to make a coating. This coating causes the glaciers to melt and thus reduce the ice overall volume. Today, the melting rate is placed at 12 times the period prior to the cotton era. This is even made worse by the fact that the region experiences shortage of air moisture that would be have helped replace the dissipating snow, a factor that continues to diminish the glacier. As this continues to happen, the region is expected to experience weather characterized with seasonal instability, marking a significant drift from the once treasured weather trend. Clearly, the effects of Aral Sea dilapidation is far reaching with regard to effects on the mountain glaciers disappearance and should not be overlooked just for its size and position (Glantz, 1999). The Future Aral Sea Following the desiccation period, Aral Sea has since turned to be an arid land covered with salt. The effects seen today are a direct reflection of the many abusive practices propagated in the early period that only came to the attention of the propagators in 1990 when the sea split into two. Following this split, countries within the region braced themselves to take up measures to remedy the problem as fast as they could. Sadly, the many promises made and even little effort that had been started ended up in frustration. Such is the case that many promises remain unfulfilled, including the decision to raise joint fund through allocation of 1% of the GDP of every concerned country. The first promising move to save the sea followed the establishment of an “artisanal” dam by the local villagers who were supported by then governor to the Aral region. This effort hit a snag after it proving expensive following the many unsuccessful repairs done to the dam. The second notable move to save the sea followed the move by World Bank that targeted to establish dozens of canals covering several miles and a dam situated at the southern part of the sea. This move by World Bank came to a fulfillment in 2005 after taking a period of 4 years. The later years have realized a great Improvement in water level that has kept rising each year to cover the previous bare grounds. Even with this, the problem is not considered over and more plans are in place to bring back the region to its former position. This includes the plans to set the area free from pesticide pollution and other air and soil pollutants. References Aral Sea. (2005). Kalmar, Sweden: University of Kalmar on behalf of United Nations Environment Programme. Glantz, M. H. (1999). Creeping environmental problems and sustainable development in the Aral Sea basin. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Micklin, P. P. (1988, September 2). Desiccation of the Aral Sea: a water management disaster in the Soviet Union. Science, 7, 8. Pala, C. (2005, February 18). To save a vanishing sea: a project backed by the World Bank aims to reverse the Aral Seas rapid decline, but it could also increase traffic to an abandoned bioweapons testing site.(News Focus). Science, 19, 5- 10. Pala, C. (2006, April 14). Once a terminal case, the north Aral Sea shows new signs of life; a dike supported by the World Bank and repairs along the banks of the Syr Darya River have increased the water level dramatically.(ECOLOGY). Science, 8, 2. STONE, R. (1999, April 2). Coming to Grips with the Aral Seas Grim Legacy. Science, 23, 9-10. The Aral Sea Crisis. (n.d.). Columbia University in the City of New York. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from Working Group adopts resolution on environmental crisis in Aral Sea region.. (2011, January 24). UzReport, p. 34.   Read More