The Present State of the South Aral Sea Area

Abstract

The Aral Sea was once the world’s fourth largest inland body of water in terms of surface area. A lake basin, fed by two rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya, it supported a diverse ecosystem and an economically valuable fishery. Intensive agricultural activity related to cotton production with high water demands during the Soviet era caused excessive water diversion for irrigation purposes from the rivers. As a result, since the early 1970s, the shores of the sea have been steadily receding. The disappearance of the Aral Sea has caused several severe environmental and economic impacts. The fishery is no longer viable. The seabed became exposed leading to the airborne dispersal of salts and pesticide residues. The river delta flora and fauna have deteriorated such that fewer species exist. The decreasing level of the Aral Sea was accompanied by a rise of salinity, which resulted in the degradation of the ecosystems in the Aral Sea area as well as those of the fertile delta lands. The exposed seabed has turned into a desert, which at the present time is a source of tons of salty dust, blown away by the wind and carried along for thousands of kilometers. The quality of river water and other sources for drinking water have deteriorated. Environmental degradation in the Aral Sea area, especially in the south part in Karakalpakstan has resulted in decline of the socio-economic and public health situation.