shrinking of the aral sea

By hgp6368
  • aral sea began to shrink

    aral sea began to shrink

    In the 1960’s, the soviet Union had a problem with water that was located on the plains of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The two important rivers that flow through the regions were used to to convert the desert into farms and crops. The two rivers were the Syr Darya and the Amu Darya rivers. Then later the two rivers were combined together to make the fourth largest lake in the world, called the Aral Sea. Because of the water they used for crops the lake began to shrink
  • The northern and southern half of the sea were almost seperated

    The northern and southern half of the sea were almost seperated

    In 1989 the northern and southern part of the sea was almost separated. Because the southern part of the sea was drying out, the salt on the bottom of the sea was showable. Dust storms became common, and the wind started to take the salt into the agricultural lands. When these land started to get real dirty by the salt, the farmers would have a plan to get rid of the salt. There plan was to flush the soil with large amounts of water. When the water goes back into the sea, the water is is unhealt
  • The sea shrunk by 75%

    The sea shrunk by 75%

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TjCYUElbThe amount of the sea shrunk by 75% and so had the water table. The surrounding climate changed making the growing season shorter. Salt increased along the old shoreline because of evaporation. As the irrigation system aged, it became unrepairable and much of the engaged water failed to reach the fields. The winds are spreading salt to the surrounding agricultural regions, increasing the desertification that is affecting the area.
  • the surrounding nations signed a pledge agreeing to help the sea but little action has been taken place, or its just really slow

    the surrounding nations signed a pledge agreeing to help the sea but little action has been taken place, or its just really slow

    The surrounding nations signed a pledge agreeing to rehabilitate the sea, but little or no action has taken place or progress has been slow. Competition for water resources includes agricultural, rural, urban, industrial and environmental factors, but the needs of humans often receive top priority. Since irrigation is a major source of food security, it usually becomes the largest consumer of water.
  • the world bank attempted to make a permanent dike between the 2 portions of the lake sealing in the southern half.

    the world bank attempted to make a permanent dike between the 2 portions of the lake sealing in the southern half.

    Since 1995 the world bank had decided to make a dike. This particular one is made of sand and has been placed between the two main parts of the sea. They decided to cut the southern part off because it was already dryer than the main section that still had water in it anyways. They wanted to cut the small part because the bigger part of the lake that had water, was more important.
  • The southern part of the lake was disconnected, and the eastern part slowly over the years started to leave.

    The southern part of the lake was disconnected, and the eastern part slowly over the years started to leave.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-1R634vpRQ
    The southern connection had been cut off, and the shallower eastern part lost water rapidly over the next several years. Large retreats in the eastern part of the Southern Sea have occurred.When the lake was disconnected people started having a realization that the lake was disappearing and it needed help.
  • the lake was separated into eastern and western halves

    the lake was separated into eastern and western halves

    The usage of the water and evaporation and rainfall had made the lake separate into eastern and western halves. Because of this the people of the soviet union tried to take action and attempt to save the sea but instead made it worse. By using the water in the lake for irrigating the crops the salt and sediment content increased.
  • the Kazakhstan government, with funding from the World Bank, began a massive restoration project for the Aral Sea.

    the Kazakhstan government, with funding from the World Bank, began a massive restoration project for the Aral Sea.

    Around 2003, the Kazakhstan government, with money from the World bank, they paid and gathered lots of people to save the lake. It was one of the largest lake in the world, but has shrunk throughout many decades. With all they have tried to do, they lake is still shrinking and drying up very slowly. They have tried almost everything to stop the shrinking and the lake has not been cooperating.
  • the difference in salinity between the eastern and western part of the lake started getting higher and higher salt content

    the difference in salinity between the eastern and western part of the lake started getting higher and higher salt content

    <a href='' >http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xSEXIxDVMBg</a>
    Because of the extended use of the lake water for crop irrigation the water became concentrated and the salt content increased. With the use of the water increasing it made the lake worse. Efforts were made to try to save the lake but so far nothing it working.
  • A dam was completed

    A dam was completed

    In effort to save some of the lake, Kazakhstan built a dam between the northern and southern parts of the Aral Sea. In 2005 the dam ruined the rest of the southern aral sea, which was beyond repair. All of the water flowing into the aral sea from the Syr Darya river now stays in the Northern Aral Sea. Between 2005 and 2006, the water levels in that part of the lake rose significantly and very small increases are visible throughout the rest of the time period. The differences in water color are d