Inquiry Writing #2

We know the Great Salt Lake has been drying up, but are we still at risk? The answer is yes and it is mostly due to climate change. The globe has had record-breaking temperatures that have led to drought and extreme natural disasters such as more hurricanes, but in Utah, dust storms. Since the Great Salt Lake has shrunk so much, the lakebed is exposed leading to dust storms and the spread of airborne sediments that contain metals and minerals from industries, agriculture, and urban pollution accumulation. Exposure to these elements harms humans and the lake's shrinkage is harmful to the ecosystem. Birds will no longer thrive, and far more land predators will be able to roam in areas that were previously covered by water. The lake's drying can also lead to an increase in greenhouse gases, affecting the winter precipitation and climate overall.

Agricultural practices are also a contributor to the drying lake. Upstream water diversions lead to less water flow into the lake because crops like alfalfa and dairy producers require water sources. Additionally, shorebirds have already begun to decline in abundance due to a decline in brine shrimp populations. The lowering water concentration has led to an increase in salinity concentration making it unlivable and causing the shrimp to die. Furthermore, the elements that are being uncovered from the drying lake such as copper and ammonium can lead to heart disease and lung disease which is harmful to local residents in the Salt Lake Valley.

DMU Timestamp: December 12, 2024 17:58