Monitoring the characteristics of lakes is vital for the sustainability of their ecosystems. Recent studies highlight the environmental pressures lakes face due to urbanisation and industrialisation. Lake Sapanca in northwestern Turkiye serves as a notable example of these challenges. It has experienced habitat degradation, primarily from pollution linked to agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge.
Impact of Land Use Changes
Land use changes affect water quality in lakes. A study conducted from 2020 to 2023 monitored twelve sampling stations around Lake Sapanca. Researchers found that urbanised and agricultural areas contributed the highest nutrient loads. This led to eutrophication, a process that depletes oxygen in water and harms aquatic life. The study measured total nitrogen and phosphorus levels, which ranged from 0.28-5.22 mg/L and 0.04-0.60 mg/L, respectively.
Pollution Sources and Dynamics
The study revealed that streams in urban and agricultural sub-basins had elevated nutrient concentrations. This was primarily due to surface runoff, wastewater discharge, and agricultural leaching. In contrast, forested areas showed better nutrient retention, indicating improved water quality. Seasonal variations were also observed, with pollution levels peaking during low-flow summer months.
Need for Conservation-Driven Strategies
The findings stress the urgent need for conservation-driven water management strategies. Integrated land and water management frameworks are essential for assessing the impacts of land use changes and pollution control measures. Experts argue that cosmetic beautification efforts often overlook the underlying issues affecting lake ecosystems. A scientific approach is necessary for effective lake revival.
Technological Interventions and Mapping
Geospatial tools and proper mapping are crucial for understanding the threats to water bodies. Experts suggest that technological interventions should occur after assessing water spread during pre- and post-monsoon periods. Creating water channels to revive tributaries and riverlets is also essential for maintaining lake health.
Public Health and Ecological Considerations
The sustainability of lake ecosystems is not just an environmental issue. It is also a public health imperative. Ensuring clean water sources is critical for community health. Therefore, evidence-based actions are necessary to balance urban development with ecological restoration.
Global Context of Water Stress
Turkiye has been identified as water stressed due to improper water management. This situation is mirrored in India and other countries in the Global South. The rapid urbanisation and loss of water bodies pose risks to these regions’ ecological and public health.
Future Directions
The planning process for lake rejuvenation must integrate relevant information gathered through GIS tools. Implementing sustainable land-use policies and forest conservation measures will help establish a balance between development and restoration. The long-term sustainability of lake ecosystems requires urgent attention.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss the importance of integrated land and water management frameworks in addressing water quality issues in lakes.
- Critically examine the impact of urbanisation on freshwater ecosystems, using Lake Sapanca as a case study.
- Explain the phenomenon of eutrophication and its effects on aquatic life in freshwater bodies.
- With suitable examples, discuss the role of technological interventions in the conservation of lake ecosystems.
Answer Hints:
1. Discuss the importance of integrated land and water management frameworks in addressing water quality issues in lakes.
- Integrated frameworks allow for a holistic approach to managing both land use and water resources.
- They help in assessing the impacts of urbanisation and agricultural practices on water quality.
- Such frameworks facilitate the identification of pollution sources and the implementation of effective control measures.
- They promote collaboration between various stakeholders, including government, NGOs, and local communities.
- Evidence-based strategies derived from integrated management can enhance the sustainability of lake ecosystems.
2. Critically examine the impact of urbanisation on freshwater ecosystems, using Lake Sapanca as a case study.
- Urbanisation leads to habitat degradation and increased pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
- In Lake Sapanca, urban areas contributed to nutrient loads, causing eutrophication.
- Increased impervious surfaces from urban development enhance surface runoff, worsening water quality.
- Population density correlates with elevated nutrient concentrations, affecting aquatic life negatively.
- Urbanisation often prioritises development over ecological health, leading to long-term environmental challenges.
3. Explain the phenomenon of eutrophication and its effects on aquatic life in freshwater bodies.
- Eutrophication is the process where water bodies become overly enriched with nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus.
- This leads to excessive growth of algae, which depletes oxygen levels in the water as they decompose.
- Low oxygen levels can cause fish kills and harm other aquatic organisms, disrupting the ecosystem.
- It can result in harmful algal blooms that produce toxins, affecting water quality and human health.
- Preventing eutrophication requires effective management of nutrient inputs from agricultural and urban sources.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the role of technological interventions in the conservation of lake ecosystems.
- Technological interventions such as GIS mapping help in identifying pollution sources and monitoring water quality.
- Remote sensing technologies can track changes in land use and their impact on lake health.
- Water treatment technologies can mitigate the effects of wastewater discharge into lakes.
- Creating water channels using engineering solutions can revive tributaries and enhance water flow in lakes.
- Technological tools facilitate data collection and analysis, leading to informed decision-making for conservation efforts.
