[ad_1]
The world’s largest lakes, which provide critical freshwater resources for people around the globe, are in danger due to rapid shrinkage. In a new study published in the journal Science, researchers used satellite imagery to analyze 1,972 of the biggest lakes from 1992 to 2020. They found that more than half of these lakes and reservoirs had lost water, and the total loss was comparable to 17 times the amount of water that could fill Lake Mead, the U.S.’s largest reservoir.
The water loss observed in the study was attributed to climate change and increased human activity, including greater water demands. Sedimentation, in which sediments build up in reservoirs, has also lowered their capacity for water storage. Climate change has raised global temperatures, increasing evaporation in many parts of the world, and precipitation patterns have shifted as well. The significant water loss occurred all over, in both arid and humid regions.
Lakes and reservoirs are a small portion of the planet’s surface, but they “store 87% of Earth’s liquid surface fresh water,” according to the study. They’re used for recreation, drinking water, hygiene, agriculture, and travel. Researchers estimated that about 2 billion people, a quarter of the world’s population, are in the basin of a drying lake.
The researchers created an interactive map based on their data, which shows the drying reservoirs around the world in pink dots, while the red dots represent the drying natural lakes. The purple dots are new reservoirs, and light blue are existing water reservoirs with increasing water levels. Dark blue dots are for the natural lakes increasing in water storage.
While some lakes and reservoirs did gain water during the three decades studied (24%), some of these are in sparsely populated regions, unlike many of the shrinking lakes and reservoirs. “If human consumption is a large factor in lake water storage decline, then we can adapt and explore new policies to reduce large-scale declines,” said Ben Livneh, a study co-author.
To better “protect essential ecosystem services such as freshwater storage, food supply, waterbird habitat, cycling of pollutants and nutrients, and recreation,” the researchers emphasized the need to change water use practices. This includes lowering water demands and changing how populations use water.
FAQ:
Q: What was the cause of the water loss observed in the study of the world’s largest lakes?
A: The water loss was attributed to climate change and increased human activity, including greater water demands. Sedimentation, in which sediments build up in reservoirs, has also lowered their capacity for water storage.
Q: Why are the shrinking lakes and reservoirs alarming?
A: Lakes and reservoirs store the majority of the planet’s surface fresh water, and are used for recreation, drinking water, hygiene, agriculture, and travel. Researchers estimated that about 2 billion people, a quarter of the world’s population, are in the basin of a drying lake.
Q: Did any of the lakes and reservoirs studied see a significant increase in water volume?
A: Yes, 24% of the lakes and reservoirs did see a significant increase in water volume.
[ad_2]
For more information, please refer this link