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In some cases, it can be a challenge for scientists to predict outcomes for a lake or to recognise the factors that threaten it. Take, for example, Lake Waiau in Hawaii, a lake that was used in healing rituals by native Hawaiians. It is a fairly small lake, approximately 100m across, with some variation as the water level rises and falls. However, in early 2010, the lake began to decrease in size. By September 2013, it could only be described as a pond. The cause of the lake’s decline has not yet been established, but drought is among the suspects. Then there is Scott Lake in central Florida. In June 2006 a massive sinkhole opened up beneath the lake – acting like a plug hole in a bath. It only took two weeks for the water to drain away. Local residents called meetings to decide what action to take, but in the end, nature took care of the problem. Clay, sand and other fine material plugged the hole and the lake started to fill with water again. Nevertheless, as geologists point out, sinkholes can occur with some frequency in Florida, so there is a chance that Scott Lake will drain away again.
if you found it helpful. More exclusive reading answer guides coming next week: “Deforestation in the Amazon” and “The Science of Sleep.”
Lakes cover only about 3% of Earth’s land surface, yet they support nearly 10% of all known animal species, including one-third of all vertebrate species. They provide drinking water for billions, irrigate agriculture, and regulate regional climates. From Lake Baikal (containing 20% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater) to Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest), these basins are ecological treasures—and they are failing. earth lakes are under threat reading answers exclusive
Questions on this passage frequently test your ability to distinguish between the causes of degradation (e.g., dams, climate change) and the effects (e.g., salinization, dust storms). Look for transition words like consequently , driven by , and as a result .
As the world's deepest and oldest lake, it contains 20% of the world's unfrozen freshwater. Threats here usually involve industrial discharge and rising temperatures affecting the unique Baikal seal. In some cases, it can be a challenge
"Earth's Lakes are Under Threat" details the environmental degradation of major water bodies, highlighting rapid shrinkage, industrial pollution, and climate change as primary causes. Key examples include the total disappearance of Lake Poopó, the severe reduction of the Aral Sea, and the impact of rising temperatures on Lake Tanganyika. For a detailed reading guide, see the document at Threats to Earth's Lakes Explained | PDF - Scribd
Complete the sentences below.Choose from the passage for each answer. However, in early 2010, the lake began to decrease in size
Research indicates that over 50% (or half ) of the planet's major lakes are losing water.
By causing massive sinkholes to drain the lake B. By increasing salinity that turns the water red C. By disrupting its ecosystem and causing fish populations to drop D. By evaporating the lake entirely, leaving a salt flat
Lake Poopo used to be Bolivia's second largest lake. Situated in the Altiplano Mountains at an altitude of around 3,700m, the lake in winter would cover an area of some 2,700 square kilometres as it was fed by swollen rivers. With very little rainfall during summer, this reduced to around 1,000, still a remarkable size. This was the pattern in previous centuries, but in December 2015, satellites confirmed the reports of local people that the lake had gone. While scientists had suspected that Poopo would eventually run dry, they didn't expect that this would occur for at least another thousand years. The local mining industry had already contributed to the pollution of the lake, but scientists believe global warming, drought and irrigation projects are all responsible for its disappearance.
To emphasize the combined threat of natural climate shifts and direct human interference.