The Shrinkage of the Salton Sea Is Caused by a Decrease in Colorado River Flow

In the past 25 years, the Salton Sea, the state of California's most contaminated inland lake, has lost about a third of its water. According to recent studies, the Colorado River's flow is declining, which is the cause of that decrease.

Rising of Salinity

Although everyone is aware that saltwater is salty, few are aware that even little changes in the ocean's surface salinity or, more specifically, the number of dissolved salts can have a significant impact on the cycle and ocean circulation, as per NASA Science.

Specific processes have contributed to the ocean's salinity during Earth's history.

Salt and other minerals are released into the water because of rock weathering.

The ocean becomes more salinized because of sea ice production and the evaporation of ocean water.

These salinity-increasing forces are, however, continuously offset by salinity-decreasing processes including the continuous inflow of fresh water from rivers, precipitation of rain and snow, and melting of ice.

The Salton Sea is contaminated with dust

(Photo : ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

The percentage of salt and chemicals there in remaining water has rapidly grown as the lake dries up, which has resulted in a catastrophic extinction of fish and birds, including endangered species, as per Sciencedaily.

It is an ecological disaster, according to Juan S. Acero Triana, a UCR hydrologist and the study's primary author, who examined how water moves above and below the surface of the Earth close to the Salton Sea.

There are several theories regarding why water levels are gradually dropping.

Some attribute the lake's drying up to climate change and heat.

Some people think that agriculture might be to blame. Less water enters the Salton Sea as irrigation systems become more effective and crops are designed to require less water.

According to the researchers, these aren't the principal factors contributing to the sea's decline.

The Salton Sea is an example of an endorheic lake where water enters the lake but does not flow to any tributaries.

The researchers considered all significant mechanisms affecting this water balance.

However, it's unclear if the drying up of the Colorado River owing to global warming, the drop in California's water allotment levels, or both are to blame, according to Acero Triana.

Despite this unresolved uncertainty, the researchers contend that the study should convey to water management organizations and policymakers that the Salton Sea watershed belongs to the Colorado River basin.

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Restoration of Salton Water

The Salton Sea is now in the danger zone after having already passed seven of these lines.

The biome or wetland ecosystem has practically been devastated due to a lack of fresh water, and there has been a significant loss of species, as per Desert Sun.

The sands of the exposed lakebed are poisonous due to the excessive use of fertilizers and the contamination of the sea with numerous agricultural and military chemicals.

In the upcoming years, this poses a hazard of fatal air pollution to us.

Finding extra water is the key to saving the Salton Sea. This will require importing seawater from the Sea of Cortez and desalinating it.

Covering the exposed lakebed, a refilled sea will minimize the risk of air pollution. Water that is contaminated and flows into the sea can be cleaned.

To establish a habitat that is both human-friendly and wildlife-sustaining, the wetlands can be restored, and thousands of trees can be planted.

Importing ocean water to replenish the sea will boost the leisure industry, generate employment, and maintain property values.