Destruction of the Aral Destruction of the Aral Sea UzbekistanSea Uzbekistan

Created by: Michael JolitzCreated by: Michael JolitzGeography 308Geography 308

Russia and Eastern Europe Russia and Eastern EuropeProfessor Zoltan GrossmanProfessor Zoltan Grossman

University of Wisconsin Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Locationhttp://www.fao.org/ag/agl/swlwpnr/reports/y_nr/z_uz/uz_style/uzflag.gif

WaterWater

The Amu Darya, in the west, and the Syr Darya, in the eastThe Amu Darya, in the west, and the Syr Darya, in the east

Their 600 tributaries take source in the Tien Shan and the Alai highlands. Their 600 tributaries take source in the Tien Shan and the Alai highlands.

They feed waterways on their way to the Aral Sea. They feed waterways on their way to the Aral Sea.

The rivers fall short of feeding the Sea properly to sustain it.The rivers fall short of feeding the Sea properly to sustain it.

The desert has reclaimed a good portion of the Aral Sea and the rest struggles to The desert has reclaimed a good portion of the Aral Sea and the rest struggles to survive.survive.

Amu Darya

Syr Darya

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RiversRivers

Amu Darya Syr Darya

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The Syr Darya is formed by the confluence of the NarynThe Syr Darya is formed by the confluence of the Naryn and Qoradaryo rivers in the eastern Ferghana Valley and Qoradaryo rivers in the eastern Ferghana Valley With a length of 1,374 miles -1,876 miles including the With a length of 1,374 miles -1,876 miles including the

Naryn—the Syr Darya is the longest river in Central AsiaNaryn—the Syr Darya is the longest river in Central Asia

The Amu Darya is formed by the junction The Amu Darya is formed by the junction of the Vakhsh and Pandj rivers, which rise of the Vakhsh and Pandj rivers, which rise in the Pamir Mts. of central Asia. Its lengthin the Pamir Mts. of central Asia. Its lengthis 1,600 miles longis 1,600 miles long

Syr Darya Tributaries

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Water and Water and PollutionPollution

Once the 4Once the 4thth biggest inland sea in the world biggest inland sea in the world

53 Meters above sea level53 Meters above sea level

Evaporation – 60 square Kilometers of water each yearEvaporation – 60 square Kilometers of water each year

Environmental disasterEnvironmental disaster

Large ControversyLarge Controversy

Boron PollutionBoron Pollution

Phenol PollutionPhenol Pollution

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AgricultureAgriculture

Upstream irrigation for the growing of rice Upstream irrigation for the growing of rice and cotton consumed more than 90% of and cotton consumed more than 90% of the natural flow of water from the Tien the natural flow of water from the Tien Shan mountains. Shan mountains.

Sea Surface declined Sea Surface declined 27,000 square kilometers of former sea 27,000 square kilometers of former sea

bottom became dry surfacebottom became dry surface 60% of water volume was lost60% of water volume was lost

Simple Irrigation SystemSimple Irrigation System

CottonCotton

Major Uzbekistan Crop Major Uzbekistan Crop since Soviet erasince Soviet era Intense AgricultureIntense Agriculture PesticidesPesticides Intense IrrigationIntense Irrigation FertilizersFertilizers

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Use of chemical fertilizers in the Aral Sea basin, 1960-1985 1960-1985 (calculated for 100% of nutrients; kg/haRepublic 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985Russia 6.7 19.8 32.9 58.5 67.5 96Uzbekistan 111.1 146.9 197.2 238.3 263.1 285.6Tajikistan 78.2 120.2 165 220.3 225.3 249Turkmenistan 100.2 186.7 205.3 241.3 248 251

http://www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth/hope/uzbekistan.html

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t002/T002695A.jpg

http://enrin.grida.no/aral/aralsea/english/images/diagram/taj/v_stat21.gif

ProductionProduction

•thriving environment until the 1960's thriving environment until the 1960's

•extensive irrigation schemes put in placeextensive irrigation schemes put in place

•River water diverted from Tien Shan Mountains, River water diverted from Tien Shan Mountains,

•Would normally have flowed into the Aral seaWould normally have flowed into the Aral sea

•Huge amounts of this diverted water lay as stagnant pools across vast, badly Huge amounts of this diverted water lay as stagnant pools across vast, badly managed cotton and rice fields. As a result the Aral has now lost more than managed cotton and rice fields. As a result the Aral has now lost more than 60% of its water.60% of its water.

http://www.aralfood.com/images/prod.jpg

http://www.fas.usda.gov/cotton/circular/1997/97-08/cover/uzbek.gif

•South of the Aral Sea

•Rice Paddy Fields are shown by the square boxes

•This fields have a very high water portion. – shown by Landsat Image

•There are also artificial fishing ponds.

•Usually filled in early spring helps to allow the fishing industry to survive.

http://www.dfd.dlr.de/app/land/aralsee/landsat_mss.html

RiceRice

LivelihoodLivelihood Once a busy shipping trade between its northern port of Aralsk and Once a busy shipping trade between its northern port of Aralsk and

the river ports of the Amu-Darya, some as distant as Tajikistanthe river ports of the Amu-Darya, some as distant as Tajikistan

Aralsk is now landlocked about 100 km from the water. It, like Aralsk is now landlocked about 100 km from the water. It, like Muynak has fishing boats sitting high and dry on what was once the Muynak has fishing boats sitting high and dry on what was once the bottom of the Aral Sea.bottom of the Aral Sea.

Abandoned Ships

The Changing AralThe Changing Aral

Life “blood”Life “blood”

Once abundant fish resourcesOnce abundant fish resources Once provided a livelihood for several Once provided a livelihood for several

hundred thousand people.hundred thousand people. People living around those canals and People living around those canals and

using those waterways now depends on using those waterways now depends on their existence--the very existence that their existence--the very existence that sucks the life "blood" of the Aral.sucks the life "blood" of the Aral.

Fishing IndustryFishing Industry 20 species of fish 20 species of fish Fish was based on three species of Fish was based on three species of

fishes: bream, sazan, Aral roach (vobla). fishes: bream, sazan, Aral roach (vobla). A very valuable fish - Aral barbal and A very valuable fish - Aral barbal and white-eye were caught in the Aral Sea. white-eye were caught in the Aral Sea.

Located in coastal areas and rivers Located in coastal areas and rivers mouths. mouths.

Annual catching was 300-400 thousand Annual catching was 300-400 thousand centners (220.46 lbs) of fish. centners (220.46 lbs) of fish.

Fish Catching in the Aral Sea (tons)

YearYear 19911991 19921992 19931993 19941994 19951995 19961996 19971997

TotalTotal 36803680 25392539 21632163 15191519 570570 471471 805805

FlounderFlounder 5050 116116 5555 88 00 190190 370370

Fish Fish

SazanBream

Aral roach (vobla).

WastesWastes Shrinking steadily, adding to the desertification Shrinking steadily, adding to the desertification

of the lakebedof the lakebed Contamination of the region by exposing DDT, Contamination of the region by exposing DDT,

chemical pesticides, and natural salts. chemical pesticides, and natural salts. Hazardous materials that are strewn about by Hazardous materials that are strewn about by

wind, not only contaminate the food chain, wind, not only contaminate the food chain, water, and air but cause countless human health water, and air but cause countless human health disorders. disorders.

A number of buried nuclear waste processing A number of buried nuclear waste processing and chemical weapons sites that damage the and chemical weapons sites that damage the soil. soil.

SalinitySalinity Salinity has increased Salinity has increased

from 10 grams/liter to from 10 grams/liter to 40-50 grams/liter from 40-50 grams/liter from 1960 to near present. 1960 to near present.

This is due to the lack This is due to the lack of fresh water inflowof fresh water inflow

Drinking water in the Drinking water in the region contains four region contains four times more salt per times more salt per litre than the limit litre than the limit recommended by the recommended by the World Health World Health OrganizationOrganization

•This figure shows areas where the environment in Uzbekistan and the surrounding areas have been severely degradated.

•The impact of losing water has caused severe salinization

http://www.dfd.dlr.de/app/land/aralsee/salin.html

Salt PansSalt Pans

Salt PanSalt Pan

http://www.dfd.dlr.de/app/land/aralsee/landsat_tm.html

The white large object on the left border of the image is an artificial salt pan. Discharge water, which is highly contaminated by salt accumulation, is diverted into such pans in order to decrease soil salinity. From these pans the water evaporates totally unused and creates salt crusts and olonchaks.

http://www.goacom.com/goatoday/2003/oct/img/TarSaltpan2.jpg

HealthHealth

Typhoid, Typhoid, ParatyphoidParatyphoid Hepatitis contaminated drinking waterHepatitis contaminated drinking water Intestinal disease Intestinal disease CancersCancers AnemiaAnemia DystrophyDystrophy CholeraCholera DysenteryDysentery

TB, TB, Throat cancer Throat cancer Tuberculosis Tuberculosis Many children are born with defects.Many children are born with defects.

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The Aral Sea region has one of the world’s The Aral Sea region has one of the world’s highest rates of malformed or handicapped highest rates of malformed or handicapped childrenchildren

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Climate EffectsClimate Effects Drier shorter summerDrier shorter summer Longer Colder WintersLonger Colder Winters Growing Season now 170 DaysGrowing Season now 170 Days Pasture Productivity declined by HalfPasture Productivity declined by Half Higher Evaporation RatesHigher Evaporation Rates

Dust StormsDust Storms More than 50 More than 50

days of storms days of storms a yeara year

20-25 meters 20-25 meters per secondper second

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DustDust

Aral Sea is located along a Aral Sea is located along a powerful air stream running powerful air stream running from west to east.from west to east.

It contributes to aerosol It contributes to aerosol transference into upper transference into upper layers and fast spread in the layers and fast spread in the atmosphere of the Earth. atmosphere of the Earth.

Dust Storm From Aral RegionDust Storm From Aral Region

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Effects of Dust StormsEffects of Dust Storms

Reduces visibility to less than a quarter Reduces visibility to less than a quarter mile.mile.

Respiratory ailments, AsthmaRespiratory ailments, Asthma Erosion, Desertification, Crop Damage Erosion, Desertification, Crop Damage The erosion loosens up contaminated The erosion loosens up contaminated

toxic soils.toxic soils.

Erosion

DustDust

Traces of pesticides from the Aral region were Traces of pesticides from the Aral region were found in the blood of penguins in the Antarcticfound in the blood of penguins in the Antarctic

Aral dust has been found on Greenland's Aral dust has been found on Greenland's glaciersglaciers

Norway's forestsNorway's forests Belarus' fieldsBelarus' fields All situated thousands of kilometers away from All situated thousands of kilometers away from

Central Asia.Central Asia.

AnthraxAnthrax

•Vozrozhdeniya Island - New York Times Article

•“Renaissance Island”

•Anthrax Storage Facility

•During Gorbachev’s glasnost and perestroika campaign

Vozrozhdeniya IslandVozrozhdeniya Island

The island was once 77 square milesThe island was once 77 square miles In 1999 770 Square milesIn 1999 770 Square miles Fear of TerrorismFear of Terrorism Yeltsin vowed in 1992 to clean upYeltsin vowed in 1992 to clean up Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have both

independently asked for US help.independently asked for US help.

Radioactive Waste Radioactive Waste

MAYLUU-SUU, Kyrgyzstan MAYLUU-SUU, Kyrgyzstan Outside the rusting, closed Izolit uranium-processing Outside the rusting, closed Izolit uranium-processing

plant, 23 radioactive waste sites exist in the landslide-plant, 23 radioactive waste sites exist in the landslide-prone hills prone hills

Could spill poison into the river below and on to the most Could spill poison into the river below and on to the most populous region of Central Asia. populous region of Central Asia.

About 70 million cubic feet of tailings left from refining About 70 million cubic feet of tailings left from refining uranium ore during the Soviet era are buried in this uranium ore during the Soviet era are buried in this mountain valley along the Mayluu-Suu River. mountain valley along the Mayluu-Suu River.

Fergana Valley, the region's agricultural heartland with Fergana Valley, the region's agricultural heartland with 12 million inhabitants. 12 million inhabitants.

Radioactive WasteRadioactive Waste In Kazakhstan, huge mining and metallurgy complexes were built In Kazakhstan, huge mining and metallurgy complexes were built They have never been modernized They have never been modernized Intense local air pollution. Intense local air pollution. In the west of Kyrgyzstan, radioactive waste from uranium plants is In the west of Kyrgyzstan, radioactive waste from uranium plants is

stocked without protection and risks polluting the rivers in stocked without protection and risks polluting the rivers in neighboring Uzbekistan.neighboring Uzbekistan.

These Eventually may reach the Aral Sea.These Eventually may reach the Aral Sea.

Kazakhstan FactoryCoal Mound on Roadside

Kazakhstan

Radioactive WasteRadioactive Waste

Concentration of Radioactive Waste Storage in the Ferghana Valley

Biological Waste Facility Shown in Aral Sea

Neutralization of the ProblemNeutralization of the Problem 1980’s cultivation of new large irrigated areas 1980’s cultivation of new large irrigated areas

bannedbanned Large scale water resource projects introducedLarge scale water resource projects introduced 1993 – Crosspiece Divided Aral Sea and water 1993 – Crosspiece Divided Aral Sea and water

from the Syrdarya was diverted back into one from the Syrdarya was diverted back into one part. Vegetation started to recover and salinity part. Vegetation started to recover and salinity decreased.decreased.

It was destroyed in 1999It was destroyed in 1999

A footnote about the Aral Sea Disaster: The locals around the Aral sea joke that if everyone who'd come to study this disaster had brought a bucket of water, the sea would be full again by now.

BibliographyBibliography Aral Sea - http://enrin.grida.no/aral/aralsea/english/arsea/arsea.htm#8Aral Sea - http://enrin.grida.no/aral/aralsea/english/arsea/arsea.htm#8

http://www.dfd.dlr.de/app/land/aralsee/salin.htmlhttp://www.dfd.dlr.de/app/land/aralsee/salin.html

Earth Observatory Nasa - Earth Observatory Nasa - http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=4819http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=4819

New York Times - New York Times - http://www.phaster.com/unpretentious/uzbekistan_anthrax.htmlhttp://www.phaster.com/unpretentious/uzbekistan_anthrax.html

Washington Times - http://www.washtimes.com/world/20040305-100450-8640r.htmWashington Times - http://www.washtimes.com/world/20040305-100450-8640r.htm

The Water Page - http://www.thewaterpage.com/aral.htmThe Water Page - http://www.thewaterpage.com/aral.htm

Veggie Global - http://www.veggieglobal.com/ggl/united-oceans.htmVeggie Global - http://www.veggieglobal.com/ggl/united-oceans.htm

http://www.britannica.comhttp://www.britannica.com