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Water Storage in Major World Lakes Significantly Reduced due to Climate Change
Martin Silva/AFP via Getty Images
A new study highlights that the water storage in many of the world’s biggest lakes has declined sharply over the past 30 years by approximately 21.5 gigatons per year, which is equal to the yearly consumption of water in the United States. As researchers published research today in Science, after analysing satellite data from 1,980 lakes and reservoirs between 1992 and 2020, they found a ‘significant storage decline’ in over 50% of these water bodies.
The Reasons Behind the Decline
A team of scientists attributed the loss of water in natural lakes, namely, largely to climate warming. The combination of satellite images, along with climate data and hydrological models, enabled scientists to determine the decline’s effect from both climate factors, such as increased evaporation and reduced river flows, and human activities like water diversion for agriculture or cities. Researchers cautioned that a quarter of the world’s population lives in basins where the lakes are drying up.
The Implications of the Vanishing Lakes
Vanishing lakes have affected the environment by causing starvation and dislocation and increasing the risk of international conflict, including in Africa, where Lake Chad is drying up and South America, where Bolivia’s Rhode Island-sized Lake Poopó, once the nation’s second largest body of water, disappeared over the last few decades.
Affected Regions
The research shows that loss of lake water storage prevailed in major global regions, including much of interior Asia, the Middle East, northeastern Europe, as well as Oceania, North and South America, and Southern Africa. The study discovered 457 natural lakes had significant water losses at around 38 gigatons per year, while 234 lakes showed water storage gains and 360, the third of the studied lakes, demonstrated no significant change.
Impacts in the Southwestern US
The research identifies the Southwestern US as a troubled area, as shrinking water supplies are affecting the nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Meade, on the Colorado River.
Uncertainty about the Great Lakes
Although the research did not find a climate warming fingerprint affecting the Great Lakes, it is still possible that the phenomenon is present. During the 1992-2020 study period, water levels in the Great Lakes experienced significant fluctuations due to rainfall swings. The researchers’ analysis didn’t show a global warming signal, said lead author Fangfang Yao, who studies surface water changes at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder
Conclusion
Researchers have shown the significant reduction in the world’s lake storage over the past 30 years due to climate warming. Research found that about 21.5 gigatons per year of water storage in many of the world’s main lakes had decreased, the equivalent to the yearly water consumption of the United States. It is important to evaluate and identify such trends, as they can impact various regions, affect water distribution, and lead to conflicts.
FAQ
What are the reasons behind the decline of natural lake water storage?
The loss of water in natural lakes can “largely be attributed to climate warming” and human impact, such as increased evaporation and reduced river flows or water diversions for agriculture or cities.
What are the implications of vanishing lakes?
Vanishing lakes have caused starvation and dislocation, and increased the potential for international conflict.
What regions have been affected?
The research has identified major global regions, including much of interior Asia, the Middle East, Northeastern Europe, Oceania, North and South America, and Southern Africa.
What is the situation in the Southwestern US?
The Southwestern US has been identified as a troubled area, with declining water supplies in the nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Meade on the Colorado River.
What is the status of the Great Lakes?
The status of the Great Lakes is uncertain, as fluctuations in rainfall have caused water level swings. Although researchers did not find a climate warming fingerprint affecting the Great Lakes, it is still possible but not confirmed.
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