Why is the aral sea shrinking and what have been the effects?

Answer 1

The main reason why the Aral Sea has shrunk so dramatically is because water from the rivers flowing to it has been diverted for irrigation. The Aral Sea basin is fed by the Syr Darya and Amu Darya Rivers, which flow directly into the sea. Other rivers feeding the basin are the Tedzhen and Murgabi Rivers and the Karakum canal, as well as shallow rivers from Kopet Dag and western Tien-Shan. Water from the two largest rivers has been diverted for purposes of irrigating Central Asia's rice and cotton production. Therefore, it could be said that human activity has been the main cause of the shrinking of the Aral Sea. The problem with the shrinkage of the sea is that desertification has increased. Salinity has increased, as have dust storms, and the desert which surrounds the Aral has recaimed more and more of the basin, meaning that the Aral's future looks very bleak.

Answer 2

The Aral Sea was once the world's 4th largest inland sea, but now is steadily shrinking. The sea is now the 8th largest body of inland water, and it may actually dry up altogether by 2020. It has declined from over 1000 cubic km in 1960 to 110 today. The fishing industry once employed 60 000 people. There have been many species lost from the area. Water is increasingly saline and the area is hit by toxic dust storms and desertification. The toxic chemicals are leading to terrible health issues in the region. The dust is spreading far beyond the region too, and there are terrible birth defects amongst the local population.

Answer 3

The main cause of the shrinking of the Aral Sea is that water is being diverted from the sea to two major rivers. This diversion is needed for agricultural irrigation.