Why some of the world's most extreme lakes are disappearing at alarming rates

Nature · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Salt lakes are landlocked basins where evaporation outpaces inflow, creating hypersaline environments that host specialized life. From pink-hued waters to lithium-rich beds, these unique ecosystems are now under threat from climate change and water diversion, risking both biodiversity and the economic stability of the communities that depend on them.

Salt lakes are defined by their high concentration of dissolved minerals, typically exceeding three grams per liter. Their formation is a delicate dance of geology and climate: as water flows into landlocked basins, evaporation concentrates salts like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Over time, these minerals precipitate, forming distinct salt layers. In warmer seasons, increased evaporation intensifies this process, while seasonal temperature shifts continuously reshape the lake's chemical structure.

These environments are often stratified, a phenomenon known as meromixis. Denser, saltier water sinks to the bottom, while fresher water remains near the surface. This separation prevents vertical mixing, creating hypoxic or anoxic zones that are devoid of oxygen. While this limits biodiversity, it creates a niche for extremophiles—bacteria and archaea that utilize alternative metabolic pathways to thrive in the depths. In shallower, less extreme zones, specialized organisms like brine shrimp act as keystone species, regulating plankton levels and supporting migratory birds.

Despite their ecological importance, salt lakes are in rapid decline. The Aral Sea serves as a stark example, shrinking from over 67,000 square kilometers in 1960 to less than 7,000 by 2016. Similar pressures affect the Great Salt Lake in Utah, where experts suggest that annual inflows must increase by 471,000 acre-feet—a 33% boost over recent averages—to stabilize water levels within three decades. Failure to act threatens not just wildlife, but also regional air quality and agricultural health.

Conservationists argue that water management is the most practical path forward. Strategies range from improved policy and community awareness to more technical interventions like cloud seeding and dust mitigation. Because these lakes are often rich in minerals like lithium, they are also increasingly targeted by mining interests, adding a layer of economic complexity to the urgent need for environmental protection.

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