For years, scientists and environmental leaders have been warning about the imminent catastrophic decline of the Great Salt Lake. Recent research found that Utah’s Great Salt Lake releases 4.1m tons of carbon dioxide yearly. This massive emission, comparable to that of a central urban area, demonstrates the lake’s importance in regional and global carbon cycles. Researchers ascribe this phenomenon to the lake’s drying bed, which exposes carbon-rich sediments to the air, resulting in increased CO₂ emission. In 2020, scientists calculated that dried-out portions of the Great Salt Lake release 4.1m tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, according to samples collected over seven months.

Last year, environmental and community groups sued Utah officials for failing to prevent the famous lake from facing irreversible collapse. Over recent decades, more water has been diverted away from the lake to irrigate farmland, support industrial activities, and water lawns. A report last year estimated that the lake had lost 73% of its water and 60% of its surface area. This decline has been exacerbated by global warming and a mega-drought in the U.S. Southwest.

The receding lake has revealed a dusty lakebed contaminated with arsenic, mercury, lead, and other toxic substances, posing an increased risk of respiratory conditions, heart and lung disease, and cancers. As the lake’s volume diminishes, it becomes increasingly saline, inhospitable to native flies and brine shrimp. Scientists have warned that it may no longer sustain the 10 million migratory birds and wildlife that rely on it.

Research on other saline lakes, such as the Aral Sea in Central Asia, has also documented harmful emissions, although further studies are necessary to comprehend the extent fully. Both saline and freshwater lakes can function as carbon sinks, sequestering significant amounts of carbon in their sediments. However, as the climate crisis accelerates the decline of these lakes, they risk releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide, potentially exacerbating global warming and creating a detrimental feedback loop.

The study, which found that Utah’s Great Salt Lake releases 4.1m tons of carbon dioxide per year, underlines a major environmental risk. This significant emission highlights the lake’s importance in regional carbon cycles and its impact on climate change. Addressing the root causes, such as water diversion and climate change, is critical to reducing these emissions. Effective management and restoration activities are required to protect the lake’s environment and reduce its carbon footprint. This discovery serves as a timely reminder of the interdependence of natural systems and the critical need for sustainable environmental practices.

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