Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay: Physical and Chemical Evolution

Abstract

Kara-Bogaz-Gol

Long‐term Caspian Sea level change

“…The history of the nearby Aral Sea over the past several decades shows how long-term water flux imbalance altering the level of an enclosed lake can lead to dramatic ecosystem consequences. While similar consequences in the Southern Caspian Sea are unlikely, the shallow (~5 m depth) northern part of the sea and KBG Bay are much more vulnerable [Kosarev and Kostianoy, 2005;Kosarev et al, 2009].…”

“…Located within an endorheic (no outflow) basin between Europe and Asia, the Caspian Sea is surrounded by five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan (see Figure 1). As an enclosed basin, CSL variation is controlled mainly by water inflow from rivers and precipitation, and loss from evaporation and discharge to the Kara-Bogaz-Gol (KBG) Bay [Kosarev et al, 2009]. Over the past several hundred years, CSL has been characterized by substantial fluctuations, including changes of several meters within the past few decades [e.g., Kosarev and Yablonskaya, 1994;Cazanave et al, 1997;Panin, 2007;Panin et al, 2014].…”

“…Over the past several hundred years, CSL has been characterized by substantial fluctuations, including changes of several meters within the past few decades [e.g., Kosarev and Yablonskaya, 1994;Cazanave et al, 1997;Panin, 2007;Panin et al, 2014]. As an enclosed basin, CSL variation is controlled mainly by water inflow from rivers and precipitation, and loss from evaporation and discharge to the Kara-Bogaz-Gol (KBG) Bay [Kosarev et al, 2009]. The entire Caspian Sea catchment basin has an area of approximately 3.5 × 10 6 km 2 , almost 10 times that of the Caspian Sea (Figure 1) and accounting for approximately 10% of the global area of closed basins.…”

Geochemistry of Evaporite Ores in an Earth-Scale Climatic and Tectonic Framework

“…Speculated resource of two billion tons of saltcake in the Gulf (10 mt under production via brineprocessing). Saline lake floor beds are widespread, especially along northern margin of the gulf, which is a postcollision lacustrine foreland basin (Kosarev et al, 2009;Kurilenko et al, 1988 (2007), and Warren (2010). (Ericksen, 1993;Helvaci and Alonso, 2000) Lagunas Pastos Grandes, Bolivia (100 km 2 ) Quaternary 4430 ET Brine, ulexite.…”

Role of Subsurface Brines in Salt Balance: The Case Study of the Caspian Sea and Kara Bogaz Bay

“…As the dam also accelerated the evaporation in the bay, which dried up in three years, it was destroyed nine years later, allowing the Kara Bogaz Bay to fill up again at a rate of 1.7 m/yr. An up-dated description of the recent evolution of the Kara-Bogaz Gol Bay is available in this issue (Kosarev et al 2009). …”