Aral Sea shrinking very fast скачать в хорошем качестве

Aral Sea shrinking very fast

Key Facts and Current Status (2026) Cause of Decline: Beginning in the 1960s, the Soviet Union diverted the sea's primary inflows—the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers—to irrigate vast cotton fields in the desert. Physical Transformation: By 2014, the sea had lost roughly 90% of its surface area, splitting into several smaller bodies of water: the North Aral Sea (Kazakhstan) and the South Aral Sea (Uzbekistan). The former seabed has largely transformed into the Aralkum Desert. Ecological and Social Impact: Health: Dust and salt storms from the dry lakebed, laden with pesticides and fertilizers, have caused severe respiratory and intestinal health issues for local populations. Economy: Thriving fishing and canning industries collapsed as salinity levels skyrocketed, leading to mass unemployment in former port cities like Muynak and Aralsk. Climate: The loss of the sea's moderating influence has made local winters colder and summers hotter and drier. Restoration Efforts: North Aral Sea: A significant success occurred in 2005 with the completion of the Kokaral Dam, funded by Kazakhstan and the World Bank. This has stabilized water levels, reduced salinity, and allowed for the return of commercial fishing in the northern basin. South Aral Sea: This portion remains largely dry and has seen minimal restoration compared to the north.