Toxic dust and stressed seals: what reduction of the Caspian Sea could mean for people and nature
The largest mass of water without leaving the sea in the world is reduced To pace that it could endanger seriouslyto an emblematic species of sealAccording to a new endangered study and release toxic dust. The level of the waters of the sea of Caspie – which limits Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan – is down because The increase in temperatures Make more water enter.
Even if global warming It is limited to less than 2 ° CThe Caspian Sea is likely DESCENDbetween 5 and 10 m, reducing its current size of 387,000 km² to 112,000 km². If it is not controlled, climate change could cause a decrease in the level of water up to 21 m from here to 2100.
Researchers from the British University of Leeds have designed a map of what this means Biodiversity and human infrastructure of the Region. Many of the most important areas of the Caspian Sea They are found in shallow watersTherefore it is urgent to adopt measures to protect the species and coastal communities.
Animals that depend on the Caspian Sea to stay large
Caspian seals live exclusively in the Salvio Salobre, where they adapted to large temperature oscillations. Between January and March, The seals give birth to their white fur puppies In the north ice of the Caspian Sea. But also a decrease of 5 m could reduce the surface of this habitat up to 81%, According to the new study, which would mean enormous pressure for an already reduced population.
In 2008, the international union for the conservation of nature (IUCN) included the Caspos seal in the list of Species in the process of extinctionDue to a wide range of stress factors, such as oil and gas extraction, maritime transport and already evident signs of alteration of the habitat due to climate change.
The reduction of the sea will also do it The resting areas of the seals are inaccessible.Although the decrease in sea level can create some new islands, it is not yet known if they will be adequate alternatives. Small seals are the clear example of the difficult situation of the Caspian Sea, but many other species are threatened by their setback and environmental repercussions are of great reach.
The Caspico basin hosted in the past The greatest diversity of stories in the world, An ancient family of large fish. The five species of stories of the Caspian that are generated in the rivers I am in critical danger Due to excessive fishing to obtain meat and caviar. Now, the least deep parts of the sea inhabit the historians in summer and autumn Possible reduction of dimensions Up to 45%, which can prevent fish from reaching their reproduction places The Volga, the Ural and other tax rivers.
The Caspian Sea is also an important habitat for the world for Migrated birds Between Europe, Asia and Africa. These birds depend on the coastal lagoons and rod to rest, take refuge and feed during their migrations, but these habitats are vulnerable to loss while the waters go back.
In total, a 10 m of descent from the water level Four of the 10 types of exclusive ecosystems of the Caspian Sea would end. The protected marine areas, safeguarded by their biodiversity, would have almost disappeared, with the exception of a very small quantity of water in Kazakhstan.
What are the human implications and how can people help?
More than 15 million people They live on the coasts of the five countries of the farmhouse and depend on the sea for the Fishing, navigation and trade. In the north of the Caspian, the results show that some settlements, ports and industrial structures could end up blocking the new coasts.
Expected Ports Baku (Azerbaijan), Anzali (Iran) and Aktau (Kazakhstan) They see that the distance from the coast has increased in 1 km or more, while Turkmenbi (Turkmenistan) and Lagan (a site planned in Russia) could see that the distance grows in 16 km and 115 km.
It is likely that Northern Coastal Communities are the most affected by The income from fishing disappears. And climate change could mean a double economic blow, since the loss of Caspianiche water would be the regional climate, with the consequent reduction in rainfall throughout the central Asia, which would make agricultural work difficult.
There are also Political health problems. Once exposed, the sea bottom is likely to emit powder with industrial contaminants and salt, which would mean a serious threat to human health. It could be one History similar to that of the Aoral Sea, Where Salary powder storms of the sea bottomdried They keep the sick.
Give the multiple risks that climate change supposes for the Caspian Sea, the time urges. “The decrease in the sea level of Caspie seems inevitableAlthough measures are taken to reduce worldwriting world emissions, “says Dr. Simon Goodman, of the Bioology Faculty of the University of Leeds, who supervised research.
“However, with the effects planned for a few decades, it should be possible to find ways of Protect biodiversity while safeguarding human interests and well -being. “And he continues:” It may seem long -term, but, given the immense political, legislative and logistical challenges that implies, it is advisable Begins to recite as soon as possible have the greatest chances of success. ”
ADVERTISINGElchin Mamedov, of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, hosts the important notices of the study with satisfaction and says that it shows “the need to improve regional and international cooperation To help manage impacts. “
