The Thirst Is Becoming Real

Desiccation of major saline lakes has been a long-standing problem and the major impacts can be seen as far back as 140 years.The effect of this shortage is largely impactful, not only for humans but the ecosystem as well. Saline lakes are able to gather up available minerals and nutrients which can be beneficial to the wildlife that resides in the water, as well as, the flocks of birds that use the shorelines for nesting and feeding grounds. As depleting water levels begin to worsen over the years, exposed shore beds create more dust storms. Reduction of water basins is fast becoming a notable environmental concern due to overuse by humans as well. Most of the deficiency of water can be attributed to agricultural use. It was highly speculated for many years that the cause of these saline lakes drying up was climate change. Although it does play a part, humans play a much larger impact. therefore, it lies upon us to carefully manage how we utilize this precious resource.

Major decreases in water volumes of important saline lakes over the past 140 years. Figure taken from Wurstbaugh et al 2017

Wurtsbaugh W, Miller C, Null S, DeRose J, WilcockP, Hahnenberger M, Howe F. (2017). Decline of the world's saline lakes. Natural Geoscience 10.1038