As Great Salt Lake Shrinks, Pressure to Do Something Grows

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As Great Salt Lake Shrinks, Pressure to Do Something Grows

The surface of Utah's Great Salt Lake dropped to its lowest recorded level this July.

Researchers and politicians are worried about serious threats to animals and people who live near it.

The nearby city of Salt Lake City is already facing dust storms. Experts fear these storms, which blow dirt into the air, could get worse.

Scientist Kevin Perry has studied the lake for years. He said, "To save the Great Salt Lake, so that we don't become Dust Lake City, is to make a...choice that the lake is valuable and that the lake needs to have water put into it."

For years, water that would have gone to the lake has been used for drinking water, industry and agriculture. In addition, an ongoing¹ drought – a long period of time with not enough rain - has reduced the lake's water level.

On July 3, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said that the surface of the lake fell to the lowest level since records began in 1847. Water levels are expected to decrease further until the autumn or early winter.

The lake now contains about one-fourth of the water it contained when it was at its highest level in 1987.

The lake has lost nearly half its average surface area. This means about 2,000 square kilometers of lakebed have been exposed.

Dried out earth that used to be underwater has created dust clouds that contain calcium², sulfur³ and arsenic⁴. Arsenic is an element linked to cancer and developmental problems in unborn babies. Exposed lakebed also has chemicals left over from copper⁵ and silver mining.

Perry told the Reuters news agency, "If you breathe that dust over an extended period of time, like decades or longer, then it can lead to increases in different types of cancer...cardiovascular disease, diabetes⁶ and such."

People are not the only ones at risk. Underwater reef-like structures are home to a micro-organism that is food for brine shrimp⁷, which are an important food for birds. But the reef-like structures dry out and turn gray when exposed to air.

An estimated 10 million birds of more than 330 species travel through or live at the lake each year, said Max Malmquist. He is with the National Audubon Society, an environmental group.

The shrimp are also harvested and are valued at millions of dollars. Officials estimate that economic activity from the lake is worth up to $2 billion each year.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed 11 new laws dealing⁸ with water policy in the last lawmaking season, or legislative⁹ session. Long-term answers will require agriculture, industry, and cities to use less water.

Utah State Representative Tim Hawkes said there is political pressure to do something.

"As we hit these new record lows, we start to run the risk that all of those values that we derive¹⁰ from the Great Salt Lake could be at risk," he said.

Words in This Story

lakebed – n. the floor or bottom of a lake

expose – v. to leave (something) without covering or protection

reef – n. a long line of rocks or coral or a high area of sand near the surface of the water in the ocean

brine shrimp – n. a small kind of shrimp that live in salt lakes

species – n. biology : a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus

derive – v. to take or get (something) from (something else); to have something as a source : to come from something

1 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

2 calcium   

n.钙(化学符号Ca)

参考例句：

• We need calcium to make bones.我们需要钙来壮骨。
• Calcium is found most abundantly in milk.奶含钙最丰富。

3 sulfur   

n.硫，硫磺（=sulphur）

参考例句：

• Sulfur emissions from steel mills become acid rain.炼钢厂排放出的硫形成了酸雨。
• Burning may produce sulfur oxides.燃烧可能会产生硫氧化物。

4 arsenic   

n.砒霜，砷；adj.砷的

参考例句：

• His wife poisoned him with arsenic.他的妻子用砒霜把他毒死了。
• Arsenic is a poison.砒霜是毒药。

5 copper   

n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的

参考例句：

• The students are asked to prove the purity of copper.要求学生们检验铜的纯度。
• Copper is a good medium for the conduction of heat and electricity.铜是热和电的良导体。

6 diabetes   

n.糖尿病

参考例句：

• In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
• Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。

7 shrimp   

n.虾，小虾；矮小的人

参考例句：

• When the shrimp farm is built it will block the stream.一旦养虾场建起来，将会截断这条河流。
• When it comes to seafood,I like shrimp the best.说到海鲜，我最喜欢虾。

8 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

9 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

10 derive   

v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自

参考例句：

• We derive our sustenance from the land.我们从土地获取食物。
• We shall derive much benefit from reading good novels.我们将从优秀小说中获得很大好处。