The past, present, and future Aral Sea

摘要: The Aral Sea, a once vast brackish terminal lake in the heart of Central Asia, has been rapidly drying since 1960s. It had separated into four separate waterbodies by September 2009. maximum water level decline was more than 26 m, whereas surface area decreased 88% and volume 92%. salinity increased 20-fold. Prior to modern recession, Sea experienced number declines subsequent recoveries over last 10 millennia. main causative factor until 1960s periodic westward diversion Amu Dar’ya, influent river, towards Caspian both natural human forces. post-1960 however, overwhelmingly result unsustainable irrigation development. lake’s recession caused broad range severe negative ecological, economic welfare problems. To restore its 1960s’ size ecological condition would be very difficult, if not impossible, foreseeable future. plight is far from hopeless. Partial restoration portions still feasible. A project raise Small (northern) completed Fall 2005, raising 2 m, lowering much higher early 1960 levels. Its recovery dramatic, new improve further recently announced. Improving Large (southern) difficult expensive. save deep Western Basin partially technically feasible, should given careful evaluation. important repair preserve what left deltas two tributary rivers, Syr Dar’ya as these rivers are great value, act biological refugia for endemic species Sea.