Megan Hall: Welcome to Possibly, where we tackle big questions about our planet. I’m Megan Hall.
Today, we’re focusing on the Great Salt Lake in Utah, the eighth largest saltwater lake in the world. It’s shrinking and surprisingly generating more greenhouse gases than we thought. Joining me are Emma Mejia and Hamid Torabzadeh from our team.
Emma Mejia: Hi there!
Hamid Torabzadeh: How’s it going?
Megan Hall: So, how does a lake produce greenhouse gas emissions?
Emma Mejia: We spoke with a scientist involved in a study on this issue. His name is Soren Brothers, and he specializes in lake ecosystems.
Soren Brothers: The Great Salt Lake is unique because it has no outlet. Everything that flows in settles at the bottom.
Emma Mejia: This lake has existed for about 11,000 years, leading to a significant buildup of materials at its bottom.
Megan Hall: What kinds of materials are in the lake?
Hamid Torabzadeh: There’s a mix of decaying plants, dead animals, and waste from shrimp and other creatures.
Soren Brothers: This provides ample food for bacteria.
Megan Hall: How does that relate to greenhouse gas emissions?
Emma Mejia: When bacteria consume the organic matter, they release carbon dioxide—much like how we release CO2 when we digest food.
Hamid Torabzadeh: When lake sediments dry out and are exposed to air, bacteria can break them down more quickly, resulting in higher CO2 emissions.
Soren Brothers: Drying up the lake is like setting up a buffet for these microorganisms, leading to an increase in emissions.
Megan Hall: So, when the lake evaporates, it exposes the bottom to oxygen, which aids bacterial activity and carbon dioxide release?
Emma Mejia: Exactly.
Megan Hall: What else gets exposed as the lake dries?
Hamid Torabzadeh: There are also heavy metals like lead and mercury at the lakebed. If a dust storm occurs, it could affect people’s health.
Emma Mejia: The lake’s area has diminished by 50% since the mid-1800s, making this more of a pressing concern.
Megan Hall: What can be done about it?
Emma Mejia: To address the drying, we need to look at the reasons behind it.
Soren Brothers: A major factor is the high demand for water. People diverting water for agriculture plays a big role.
Hamid Torabzadeh: A study found that over 60% of river water feeding the lake is diverted—mostly for crops like hay and alfalfa, which are used to feed livestock.
Emma Mejia: Laws regulating water use could help restore balance. But global warming and unpredictable snowfall also influence the lake’s health.
Megan Hall: Is the Great Salt Lake the only lake facing this issue?
Emma Mejia: No, other lakes globally are also emitting greenhouse gases. Protecting these water bodies could boost ecosystem health and cut emissions.
Hamid Torabzadeh: Solutions for the Great Salt Lake can be applied to similar lakes elsewhere, helping wildlife and the climate.
Megan Hall: Thanks, Emma and Hamid! Fascinating stuff!
For more insights or to ask how your choices impact the planet, visit askpossibly.org.
Expert Insight: According to a recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency, wetland restoration can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By revitalizing areas near lakes like the Great Salt Lake, we not only improve water quality but also combat climate change.
Join us next time on Possibly!
Check out this related article: California Takes Action: New Bills Target Oil and Gas Companies for Climate Change Costs
Source linkClimate Crisis,Great Salt Lake,Greenhouse gases,water conservation
