Summary:
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New Findings: Research in Utah’s Great Salt Lake reveals that dried-out lakes are significant carbon dioxide sources. A 2020 study found 4.1 million tons of CO2 and other greenhouse gases released from the lake’s dry bed, marking a 7% increase in Utah’s human-caused emissions.
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Global Impact: The study highlights that carbon emissions from dried lakes, like Central Asia’s Aral Sea, have been underestimated. These emissions are attributed to human activities, including water diversion and climate change-induced droughts.
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Natural Carbon Storage: Normally, lakes act as carbon sinks, storing carbon in sediment layers. However, as lakes dry, oxygen penetrates deeper, activating microorganisms that release stored carbon back into the atmosphere.