Global Warming's Effect On Top 5 Lakes

Scientists expect many freshwater systems to be stressed by global warming. The world's largest lakes, which include both salt and freshwater lakes and account for most of freshwater available to humans in the world could become increasingly precious. Current projections, however, show lake levels dropping, and important food fish species declining. Here's some of what scientists expect, at a glance: Caspian Sea Despite increased precipitation in the Volga river watershed, which feeds the lake, increasing temperature and evaporation rates could cause the level of this saltwater lake to drop by nearly 30 feet, with serious impacts to the surrounding Central Asian nations on its border. Lake Superior Water temperature has increased 4.5 degrees since 1979 at the world's largest freshwater lake, and the lake''s level is at its lowest point in 81 years. Continued evaporation, coupled with water use, is expected to continue this trend. Lake Victoria The complex mixing of deeper and shallower lake water, which is essential for adding nutrients and oxygen to layers of water that sustain food fish, could be disrupted by global warming. That could stress the food supply for a large and impoverished portion of the African population. Lake Huron Despite this significant increase in precipitation, water levels in the Great Lakes could by as much as eight feet in the next century, as temperature increases lead to additional evaporation. Already, higher wintertime temperatures have affected the ice on the lakes, making for shorter fishing seasons and altering lake ecosystem dynamics. Lake Tanganyika Climate change has already been shown to have affected a common sardine-like food fish important for a large impoverished population in Eastern Africa. Changes to cold water-warm water cycling of nutrients and oxygen, as prompted by warming temperature, is believed to be the culprit. For more on Lake Superior, which is at its lowest point in 81 years, click here.