Drying Great Salt Lake Emits Significant Greenhouse Gases, Impacting Climate and Local Environment

The Great Salt Lake in Utah, one of the largest terminal lakes in the world, has been identified as a significant source of greenhouse gases, according to a new study published in the journal *One Earth*. In 2020 alone, the dry lake bed emitted approximately 4.1 million tons of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.

This finding suggests that drying lake beds globally could be more substantial contributors to climate change than previously understood. The study’s co-author, Soren Brothers, highlighted that human activities leading to the desiccation of the Great Salt Lake are exposing large areas of the lake bed, which subsequently release significant quantities of greenhouse gases.

The Great Salt Lake has experienced a continuous decline in water levels due to factors like agricultural, industrial, and residential water diversion, along with climate change-induced droughts.

This reduction in water levels has led to several regional issues, including poor air quality from dust and particulates, respiratory problems for local populations, and threats to the habitats of brine shrimp and various bird species. The study indicates that the dry lake bed emits more CO2 than the lake’s water would have, mainly during the summer when temperatures are higher.

Researchers measured the emissions of CO2 and methane from different sites around the lake bed and compared these to the emissions that would have occurred if the lake were full of water.

They found that 94% of the 4.1 million tons of greenhouse gases released in 2020 was CO2, with methane making up a smaller but more potent portion due to its higher heat-trapping capability. This drying of the lake has increased the state of Utah’s overall greenhouse gas emissions by 7%, underscoring the significant impact of the lake bed’s emissions on the region’s climate.

To mitigate these emissions, researchers suggest that maintaining the water levels of the Great Salt Lake is crucial. Proposed solutions include implementing water markets and revising outdated water laws in the western U.S.

The study also notes the relationship between higher regional temperatures and increased greenhouse gas emissions from the lake bed, suggesting a positive feedback loop where rising temperatures exacerbate the drying of the lake and further emissions.

This phenomenon is not unique to the Great Salt Lake; drying lake beds worldwide are likely contributing similarly to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

The study’s findings align with global research on dry fluxes from various water bodies, emphasizing that temperature and moisture primarily control these emissions. This global issue highlights the importance of addressing the underlying causes of lake desiccation to mitigate their impact on climate change.