Question

Which of the following nations built the irrigation system that causes the desertification of the Aral Sea?

a. Egypt

b. Japan

c. United States

d. Soviet Union

Answer 1

In the 1960s, the Soviet Union undertook a major water diversion project on the arid plains

Answer 2

The Soviet Union built the irrigation system that caused the desertification of the Aral Sea.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is d. Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union built the irrigation system that led to the desertification of the Aral Sea. In the early 1960s, the Soviet Union diverted the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers for irrigation purposes in Central Asia. This diversion significantly reduced the river inflow into the Aral Sea, causing it to shrink and almost disappear.

As a result of the diversion, the Aral Sea has experienced a significant decrease in volume over the years. The water that was once supplied to the sea is now used for irrigation of desert lands to grow crops, particularly cotton. This diversion has led to the environmental disaster of the Aral Sea, with devastating consequences for the local economy, fishing industry, and habitats.