The water levels in the Dead Sea are decreasing because of climate change, which has attributed to an annual decrease in water level. The Dead Sea is also shrinking and evaporating due to natural causes.
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- new research shows that groundwater is being pumped out of the surrounding area to provide water for nearby towns and cities which has led to a decrease in the amount of fresh water flowing into the sea.
- this decrease in freshwater inflow has resulted in an increase in evaporation from within the basin, making it difficult for plants and animals living on or near its shores.
- because there are no rivers or streams flowing into the Dead Sea, all rainwater flows downslope towards its lowest point until it reaches either ocean - if rainfall volumes exceed what can be absorbed by soil then runoff will flow across land as surface waters, eventually ending up at seas such as Jordan's Dead Sea where they evaporate leaving behind minerals like salt and bromine.
- a recent study found that the Dead Sea has lost around 300 meters of depth since 1947 which had led to an increase in salt concentration and consequently also created more than 20 sinkholes along its shores, occasionally threatening homes.
- all these factors have contributed to shrinkage – on average by about one metre each year for the past decade or so - as well as increased salinity levels which threaten biodiversity within this unique ecosystem.
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Exploration of the cause for decreasing water levels in the Dead Sea is not straightforward. There are several factors which contribute to the decrease, including: climate change and global warming; evaporation caused by high temperatures; pollutants from factories upstream on Jordan River or other rivers flowing into it while carrying untreated sewage as well as heavy metals released through mining activities downstream on its shores.
- The level has been dropping by one meter each year since 1983.
- In 2010 alone, sea level dropped a record 50 centimeters due to decreased rainfall and snowfall during previous winter months resulting in less runoff coming into the lake via tributaries that feed it--resulting in more salt being left behind at bottom of this inland body of water.
The dead sea's water levels are decreasing because there is less rain and snow in the region which means that runoff into the lake has decreased, resulting in more salt being left behind at the bottom of this inland body of water. There are several factors which contribute to this decrease including climate change and global warming, evaporation caused by high temperatures, as well as pollutants from factories upstream on Jordan River or other rivers flowing into it while carrying untreated sewage as well as heavy metals released through mining activities downstream on its shores. The level has been dropping by one meter each year since 1983 and in 2010 alone, sea level dropped a record 50 centimeters due to decreased rainfall and snowfall during previous winter months.
- Climate change: Increased average temperature leads to increased evaporation which in turn leads to lower levels of the lake because water evaporates faster due to higher temperatures.
- Global warming: As a result of climate change, there has been an increase in global temperature which also contributes to decreased rainfall and snowfall on its shores causing even more drops in sea level.
- Pollutants from factories upstream: The river carrying untreated sewage carries heavy metals released through mining activities downstream contributing further to lowered water levels.
- Evaporation caused by high temperatures: High average temperature causes more evaporation which is one factor that continues the decrease of water levels at the Dead Sea. This process happens much quicker than with other bodies of water since it is so hot outside all year round
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