The fauna of the Aral Sea in 1989. 2. The zooplankton

Data are presented on the composition and biomass of the Aral Sea zooplankton in August and October, 1989. As salinity gradually increased, a decrease in zooplankton species composition occurred at a salinity of 25–30 g L⁻¹. Because the Aral has now divided into two water-bodies, the zooplankton communities in these lakes have begun to conform with their individual hydrological and biological regimes.     

The salinity tolerance of benthic invertebrates of the Aral Sea

Experiments to determine the upper limits of potential salinity tolerance of four species of Aral Sea benthic macroinvertebrates were carried out. Invertebrates of marine origin tolerate salinity increases up to 70–90 g L^–1, and the gastropodCaspiohydrobia, up to 100–110 g L^–1. It was concluded that the express-method based on the estimation of salinity resistance of isolated tissues cannot be used to estimate the limits of tolerance. The prediction is made that bivalve molluscs and polychaetes will remain in the Aral Sea until the salinity increases to 60–70 g L^–1, but perhaps gastropods will tolerate salinity increases to 100–110 g L^–1.     

Macrozoobenthos in the inshore zone of the Northern Aral Sea

The macrozoobenthos was investigated at eight sites in the Aral Sea inshore zone and in the lower reaches of the Syrdaria river. In the sea, the benthos comprised bivalve molluscsSyndosmya segmentum Recluz andCerastoderma isthmicum Issel, gastropods fromCaspiohydrobia Starob., the polychaeteNereis diversicolor O.F. Müller and the crabRhithropanopeus harrisii tridentatus (Maitland). In the Syrdaria, MysidaeParamysis lacustris (Czern.) and GammaridaeDikerogammarus aralensis (Uljanin) were found. These taxa have not been recorded from the Sea since the 1970s. The total zoobenthos biomass and density varied between the investigated Sea areas from 92 to 582 g/m² and from 1,600 to 39,000 ind./m², respectively. Spatial and temporal salinity changes within the range 20–41 g/L did not affect macrozoobenthos composition and structure. The conclusion is that the benthic ecosystem of the Aral Sea was in a state of comparative stability from the middle of the 1980s to the middle of the 1990s. Analysis of the zoobenthos in the inshore zone is proposed as a convenient and accessible method for monitoring the status of the zoobenthos of the entire Aral Sea.     

Recent sedimentation processes in the Northern Aral Sea

A survey of recent bottom sediments in the Northern Aral Sea was undertaken to elucidate the main direction of the alteration of sedimentation processes as a result of the significant decrease in the level of the sea from the beginning of the 1960s. Investigations were carried out in August–September 1991 from on board helicopter MI-8 MTV-1 which was equipped with the navigation system “LORAN-OMEGA”. Sediments were sampled by means of gravity coring and grab sampling. The frequency of sampling was about 1 station per 10 km². At several sites, water samples were collected. Grain-size analysis was undertaken and the mineralogy of the sediments was determined by optical means, using an SEM energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, and X-ray diffractometry using a DRON-2.0 diffractometer.     

Salinity of surface waters in the Aral Sea region

An overview of recent changes in salinity in the surface waters of the Aral sea basin is given. Total dissolved salts (salinity) in most waters are higher than admissible values for drinking water, and ionic composition has changed with time. Salinity of the ‘Big Sea’ of the Aral was 48 g L⁻¹ in 1998, but has decreased to below 21 g L⁻¹ in the ‘Small Sea’ due to the building of a new dam between the two parts of the Aral Sea.     

Primary production and decomposition in the coastal zone of the northern part of the Aral Sea near the delta of the Syr Dar'ya

Data are given on the concentration of suspended organic carbon and chlorophylla in seston, the quantity of organic carbon in bottom sediments, and other environmental characteristics. The results of experiments determining daily quantitites of total and net primary production and aerobic decomposition in plantonic and bottom communities are discussed.     

中亚干旱区咸海的湖面变化及其环境效应

由于气候和人类活动的影响,近百年来成海水位出现了明显的波动,湖泊面积波动幅度近6×10<'4>km<'2>,由此产生了严重的区域生态环境问题.尤其是近50年来,随着流域人口增加、社会经济发展、工农业及生活用水造成的流域水资源匮乏,导致成海面积快速萎缩,引起一系列区域环境问题,威胁当地居民的生存.成海水位下降、面积萎缩主要引发了两个方面的生态环境效应:(1)绿洲的荒漠化.干涸的湖底直接成为荒地,形成新的沙源地;同时,区域地下水位下降,植被退化,草地沙化,加之风力从干涸湖底及临近沙漠区带来的风沙覆盖,形成新的沙漠带.改变的下垫面,影响湖泊对气候的调节功能,造成流域人居环境的恶化.(2)湖滨湿地的消失及湖水的成化,使得湿地资源与渔业资源等周围居民赖以生存的经济来源消失,同时由于来自裸露湖底的污染尘暴影响,使得流域原有土地功能退化.另外,污染的空气与饮用水直接威胁当地居民的健康.     

Changes in the structure and function of biological communities in the Aral Sea, with particular reference to the northern part (Small Aral Sea), 1985--1994: A review

The construction of a dam between the Small and Large Aral Sea in 1993 has had an effect on biological communities. From field and laboratory investigations and analysis of the literature, the structure and function of the main plant and animal communities in the northern (Small) Aral Sea are described and discussed, first, for the period before 1985, and, second, between 1985 and 1994. A prognosis for future changes is provided.     

咸海流域社会经济用水分析与预测

1960年以来咸海流域大规模的水土资源开发使得社会经济用水激增,致使至1990年咸海面积萎缩50％,引发咸海生态危机.目前对引起咸海生态危机的社会经济用水的时空变化特征和趋势尚不清楚.本文在整合了多途径获取的1960-2016年咸海流域国家/州级水资源和社会经济数据的基础上,利用系统动力学模型,仿真模拟和分析了 196...     

咸海地区粉尘气溶胶动态变化及潜在扩散特征

咸海水位不断下降导致湖滨荒漠化加剧,尘暴频发,区域环境恶化。利用臭氧观测仪（OMI）气溶胶数据和HYSPLIT（Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model）模型,对咸海地区近期粉尘气溶胶变化及其潜在扩散特征进行了研究。结果表明：2005年以来,咸海地区粉尘活动不断增强,OMI气溶胶指数年平均值、方差、中值和最大值均呈现快速增加趋势,2013年OMI气溶胶指数平均值已经上升至1.47;OMI气溶胶指数具有明显的季节变化特征,春季（3-5月）和秋末初冬（11月-次年1月）是两个气溶胶指数峰值区;在相同时间内,春季和冬季的粉尘潜在扩散范围最大,秋季次之,夏季最小,且粉尘潜在扩散表现出明显的经向和纬向扩散特征;受气流和地形影响,粉尘潜在扩散主要有东北和西南两个方向。     

Inter-annual variability and interaction of remote-sensed vegetation index and atmospheric precipitation in the Aral Sea region

The remotely sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (AVHRR NDVI) and precipitation data were analysed in the Aral Sea region in Central Asia during two recent decades. Both variables exhibited pronounced seasonal variation, with maximum precipitation in March and maximum NDVI in May–June. The regions of synchronous seasonal and inter-annual variability between the vegetation index and precipitation were distinguished using the Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) method and time-lagged correlations between EOF modes. At a seasonal scale, precipitation and the vegetation index were correlated with a time lag from 1 to 6 months in different regions with peak plant growth following precipitation maxima.     

咸海流域水资源利用的区域合作问题分析

咸海的主要水源为阿姆河和锡尔河,自20世纪60年代以来由于人口的增加和农业政策导致的灌溉面积的迅速扩大,河流径流被大量引入且消耗于农业灌溉,使得入湖地表径流大幅度减少。原本是地球上的第四大湖泊的咸海,目前面积已缩小到只有原来的十分之一,并分离形成三个主要的残留湖,湖泊及湖滨的生态环境极度恶化。同时,巨大的干涸裸露湖床已成为盐尘和有毒物的发源地,严重威胁周边地区的人类健康。中亚五国自独立后于1992年签订了《中亚五国水协定》,旨在通过协定和后续协议加强区域合作扭转咸海流域严重的水危机与生态危机。但事与愿违,危机事态未得到抑制且有扩大趋势。通过对相关事态进行的深入分析,认为除改变该地区经济发展模式以减少农业用水外,在公平合理分配水资源的基础上加强国家间的合作,开展全流域水资源的综合开发、利用与管理才是扭转目前危机的最有效的途径。     

Characteristics of coastal phytoplankton near Cape Tastubec (northern Aral Sea), September 1993

The species composition, population density, biomass and main functional characteristics of the phytoplankton community near Cape Tastubec, northern Aral Sea in September 1993 were investigated. The characteristics investigated were daily primary production, decomposition, and photosynthetic intensity. The data indicate that certain changes in the structure and function of the phytoplankton have recently taken place.     

Littoral benthos of the saline crater lakes of the basin of Oriental, Mexico

Two saline crater lakes in the basin of Oriental, Puebla-Tlaxcala-Veracruz, were investigated for littoral benthic macroinvertebrates. Fifty taxa were identified with the oligochaetes, amphipods, chironomids and leeches the dominant organisms. These four taxa made up to 99 per cent in both number and biomass.Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Hyalella azteca, Tanypus (Apelopia) sp. andStictochironomus sp. were the most abundant organisms. Unlike other saline lakes which have a littoral benthos dominated by chironomids, Alchichica and Atexcac were dominated by oligochaetes (70–73 per cent). The gastropod,Physa sp., was found up to a salinity of 8 g L⁻¹; in other studies, it has been found in lower salinities.L. hoffmeisteri is also a typical inhabitant of freshwater lakes, particularly of deep waters. It was dominant in the shallow, saline waters of the two lakes studied. Salinity did not affect species richness. Alchichica, the most saline of the six crater lakes of Puebla (salinity, 7.4 g L⁻¹), had 30 per cent more species than the freshwater lakes, and double the species number of Atexcac. It seems the main factor controlling species richness and the density and biomass of organisms in Alchichica and Atexcac is the presence of aquatic vegetation. It does this by increasing habitat heterogeneity and providing food and protection against predators.     

Geomorphological evidence for the Late Holocene evolution and the Holocene lake level maximum of the Aral Sea

During the Holocene the Aral Sea underwent various transgressive and regressive phases of different magnitudes. However, previous work has not yet fully clarified the evolution and chronology of the individual phases. Research presented here throws light on the evolution of the Aral Sea during the past  2000 years. It includes field surveys, tachymetric and DGPS-derived altitude measurements, analysis of sediments from two areas of the northern and southern Aral Basin (Tastubek Bay and Karaumbet Bay), and their correlation with GIS-based lake area models. Geomorphological and sedimentological evidence from the study areas shows a transgression of the Aral Sea around 200 AD, ending at a lake level maximum of 54 to 55 m. After a medieval regression, the lake reached this level again between the late 16th and early 19th century AD. The digital elevation model SRTM-3 was used to estimate a lake size of 72,400 km² for the lake level maximum.Elevated palaeoshorelines, specifically at 72–73 m, are completely absent in the study areas. Local remains of escarpments at elevations of 66 m and 73 m are due to resistant Miocene caprock and are therefore not interpretable as shoreline features.     

The dynamics and characteristics of aeolian dust in dryland Central Asia: possible impacts on human exposure and respiratory health in the Aral Sea basin

The drying up of the Aral Sea has been described as one of the most staggering environmental disasters of the twentieth century. Over the last 40 years over 36 000 km² of the former seabed have been exposed, creating a potentially significant aeolian dust source. It is widely believed, but little researched, that increased dust storm activity in the region has had a major impact on human health. In this paper we report the findings of a study into the link between dust exposure and respiratory health amongst children in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan located on the southern shore of the Aral Sea. The findings indicate that dust deposition rates across the region are high, with sites located near the former shore of the sea being the worst affected. For these northerly regions the former bed of the Aral Sea is the most likely source of dust. The situation for the rest of the country appears to be far more complex. In these regions it appears that local sources and more distant sources to the south and south-west represent significant sediment providers, particularly in the early summer. Provisional analysis of the respiratory health data suggests that children living in the north of the country, where aeolian dust deposition rates are greater, show a lower frequency of respiratory problems. This inverse relationship requires further investigation, but highlights the complexities of environmental and human health inter-relationships.     

气候变化下新疆及咸海流域河川径流演变及适应性对策分析

 中亚咸海流域地处全球气候变化的敏感中心,生态环境脆弱、水资源紧缺,过去百年来中亚咸海流域气候、人类活动、生态环境均经历了较为显著的变化,分析中亚咸海流域气候-水-生态-人类活动的关系,对自然与人文相近的新疆可持续发展具有重要的借鉴意义。以最新收集的资料为基础,对比研究近50 a来新疆及近80 a来中亚咸海流域的气温、降水和主要河流的径流变化情况,结合二者水资源开发利用的演变历程,分析气候变化与人类活动对研究区生态环境与持续发展的影响,最后借鉴中亚咸海流域气候变化、人类活动、生态环境的综合关系,讨论气候变化下新疆水资源开发利用的适应性对策。结果表明：近80 a来,新疆与中亚咸海流域气候呈现较为一致的变暖趋势,尤其是20世纪80年代以来,二者绝大部分地区气候呈现“暖干”向“暖湿”转型迹象,河川径流也有不同程度的增加,但由于人类活动规模与强度的迅速、持续增强,研究区生态环境呈现尚未得到有效遏制的恶化趋势。立足于有利的气候时期,强化水资源开发利用管理,提高水资源利用效率和效益,加快关键水源工程建设,完善水资源配置网络体系的建设,是未来一段时期内应对气候变化下新疆水资源开发利用的主要适应性对策。     

中亚五国咸海流域水资源策略的博弈分析

中亚五国在咸海流域水资源分配与利用上的矛盾,随着社会经济发展对水资源需求的增加而变得日益突出,探寻各国对咸海流域水资源利用的策略,对中亚地区水资源合理分配、可持续发展和地区安全至关重要。运用博弈论方法,分析中亚各国对咸海流域水资源的分配诉求及水政策,梳理各国在咸海流域水资源问题上的合作历程,探讨中亚各国在水资源问题上采取不同策略的利弊得失。认为目前咸海流域利益得不到协调使中亚各国深陷水资源分配困局,“协调博弈”是当前令咸海流域水资源问题走出“囚徒困境”的首选,将会获得最佳报酬。各国相互信任、转变观念,以利益分配取代水量分配,实现真正意义上的国家间合作,才能从根本上解决流域水资源分配与利用的困局。     

阿拉尔垦区土壤盐渍化遥感监测及时空特征分析

及时准确掌握区域土壤盐渍化信息对盐渍土治理和土地利用可持续发展有着重要意义。以阿拉尔垦区Landsat 7 ETM+/8 OLI影像为数据源,采用盐分指数（Salinity index,SI）和归一化植被指数（Normalized difference vegetation index,NDVI）构建遥感盐分监测指数（Salinization detection index,SDI）模型,对阿拉尔垦区土壤盐渍化进行反演,分析近10 a垦区土壤盐渍化空间分布特征。结果表明：SDI模型与土壤实测电导率拟合度R²=0.7579,该模型可反演阿拉尔垦区土壤盐量;2011—2021年非盐渍土和轻度盐渍土面积分别增加318.22 km²和0.80 km²,中度、重度土壤盐渍化面积减少229.87 km²,盐土面积增加68.61 km²;阿拉尔垦区北部和南部地区的土壤盐渍化程度得到明显转好,中部和东部地区土壤盐渍化程度加重,垦区土壤盐渍化总体得到较好改善。SDI模型能较好反演阿拉尔垦区土壤盐渍化时空特征,可为阿拉尔垦区经济与社会发展提供一定的参考依据。     

The PM10and PM2·5 dust generation potential of soils/sediments in the Southern Aral Sea Basin, Uzbekistan

The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of the major soil/sediment surfaces in the Southern Aral Sea Basin to the dust generation potential of this region. Eight crusts and soils/sediments from seven sites, representative of these surfaces, were sampled in the field and their major characteristics (particle size distribution, organic carbon content, carbonate content, salt content and composition) that are related to dust generation, were determined. The PM₁₀ and PM_2·5 dust generation potential of the materials was determined in the laboratory using the Lubbock Dust Generation, Analysis and Sampling System (LDGASS). The highest amount of PM₁₀ dust (579·3 mg.m⁻³) was generated from the Takyr crust material. The lowest by one Solonchak salt crust material (39·6 mg.m⁻³). Salt crusts from the desiccated Aral Sea bottom generated intermediate amounts of dust.The experimental results indicate that the Takyrs and Takyr-like soils, that occupy over 1 million ha in the Southern Aral Sea Basin, constitute the surfaces with the highest potential for being the source for the severe dust storms of the area. Second to the Takyr soils, the Solonchaks and Solonchak-like soils, also with an extent of over 1 million ha, contribute highly saline dust. To these must be added a large, as yet uncharted, proportion of the approximately 4 million ha of exposed sea bed, that exhibit Solonchak-like characteristics.