Lake Urmia

Lake Urmia
from space, 1984
Coordinates	37°42′N 45°19′E / 37.7°N 45.317°E / 37.7; 45.317Coordinates: 37°42′N 45°19′E / 37.7°N 45.317°E / 37.7; 45.317
Lake type	salt (hypersaline) lake
Primary outflows	evaporation
Basin countries	Iran
Max. length	140 km (87 mi)
Max. width	55 km (34 mi)
Surface area	5,200 km2 (2,000 sq mi)
Max. depth	16 m (52 ft)
Islands	102 (see list)

Lake Urmia (Azerbaijani: اورمو گؤلو, Persian: دریاچه ارومیه, Daryâcheh-ye Orumiyeh (or Oroumieh), ancient name: Lake Matiene)^[1][2] is a salt lake in northwestern Iran, near Iran's border with Turkey. The lake is between the Iranian provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan, west of the southern portion of the similarly shaped Caspian Sea. It is the largest lake in the Middle East,^[3] and the third largest salt water lake on earth, with a surface area of approximately 5,200 km² (2,000 mile²), 140 km (87 mi) length, 55 km (34 mi) width, and 16 m (52 ft) depth.

History

See also: Origin of Old Persian Language

One of the early mentions of Lake Urmia is from the Assyrian records from 9th century BCE. Here from the records of Shalmaneser III (reign 858-824 BCE) two names (place or tribe name) of Parsuwash and Matai are mentioned in the area of Lake Urmia. It is not completely clear what are the identities of these names and subsequent personal names and "kings". But Matai's are Iranian Median and linguistically the name "Parsuwash" matches perfectly with the Old Persian pārsa- an Achaemenid well-known ethno-linguistic designation.^[4] Based on certain historical outline of how and when the Iranian people immigrated to the Iranian Plateau in several waves along different routes, Old Persian language- the ancestor of Modern Persian was originally spoken by the people of/from "Parsuwash" who settled in Iranian Plateau sometime in early 1st millennium and finally moved down into an area where Achaemenid history began ca. 600 BCE.^[4]

The lake is named after the provincial capital city of Urmia, originally a Syriac name meaning city of water. It was called Lake Rezaiyeh (Persian: دریاچه رضائیه) in the early 1930s after Reza Shah Pahlavi, but the lake was renamed 'Urmia' in the late 1970s. Its ancient Persian name was Chichast (meaning, "glittering"--a reference to its glittering mineral particles suspended in the lake water and its shores). In the medieval times it came to be known as Lake Kabuda, or "azure," in Persian, (Gabod in Armenian).

Lake Matianus (Latin: Lacus Matianus) is an old name for Lake Urmia. It was the center of the Mannaean Kingdom, a potential Mannaean settlement represented by the ruin mound of Hasanlu was on the south side of Lake Matianus. Mannae was overrun by a people who were called Matiani or Matieni, an Iranic people variously identified as Scythian, Saka, Sarmatian, or Cimmerian. It is not clear whether the lake took its name from the people or the people from the lake, but the country came to be called Matiene or Matiane.

Chemistry

Salt crystals, on the shore

Satellite image of Lake Urmia, taken in November 2003, the bisectioning of the lake (due to construction of the bridge) is visible in the center of the lake.

Satellite image of Lake Urmia, 2010

Satellite imagery of lake Urmiah between years 1984 and 2011, showing great amount of drainage and surface area loss.

Causeway bridge, completed in 2008.

The smallest island of Lake Urmia, Osman fist.^[5]

The main cations in the lake water include Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺ and Mg²⁺, while Cl^–, SO₄^2–, HCO₃^– are the main anions. The Na⁺ and Cl^– concentration is roughly 4 times the concentration of natural seawater. Sodium ions are at slightly higher concentration in the south compared to the north of the lake, which could result from the shallower depth in the south, and a higher net evaporation rate.

The lake is divided into north and south parts separated by a causeway in which a 1500m gap provides little exchange of water between the two parts. Due to drought and increased demands for agricultural water in the lake's basin, the salinity of the lake has risen to more than 300 g/L during recent years, and large areas of the lake bed have been desiccated. As a result the fishery has been degraded.

Ecology

See also: Geography of Iran and Environmental issues in Iran

Lake Urmia (Orumieh in Persian), which lies in northwestern Iran, is home to some 212 species of birds, 41 reptiles, 7 amphibians, and 27 species of mammals, including the Iranian yellow deer.

The construction of a dam on part of the lake and the recent drought has significantly decreased the annual amount of water Orumieh receives. This in turn has increased the salinity of Orumiyeh's water, causing the lake to lose its significance as home to thousands of migratory birds including the large flamingo populations.

The lake is marked by more than a hundred small rocky islands, which are stopover points in the migrations of various kinds of wild bird life (including flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, ibises, storks, shelducks, avocets, stilts, and gulls).

By virtue of its high levels of salinity, the lake does not sustain any fish species. Nonetheless, Lake Urmia is considered a significant natural habitats of Artemia, which serve as food source for the migratory birds such as flamingos.^[6] Most of the area of the lake is considered a national park.

The lake is a major barrier between two of the most important cities in West Azerbaijan and East Azerbaijan provinces, Urmia and Tabriz. A project to build a highway across the lake was initiated in the 1970s but was abandoned after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, having finished a 15 km causeway with an unbridged gap. The project was revived in the early 2000s, and was completed in November 2008 with the opening of a 1.5 km bridge across the remaining gap.^[7] The highly saline environment is already heavily rusting the steel on the bridge despite anti-corrosion treatment. Experts have warned that the construction of the bridge, together with a series of ecological factors, will eventually lead to the drying up of the lake, turning it into a salt marsh which will directly affect the climate of the region. Lake Urmia has been shrinking for a long time, with an annual evaporation rate of 0.6m to 1m (24 to 39 inches). Although measures are now being taken to reverse the trend^[8] the lake has shrunken by 60 percent and could disappear entirely.^[8] Lake Urmia is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar site.

Palaeoecology

A palynological investigation on long cores from Lake Urmia has revealed a nearly 200 kyr record of vegetation and lake level changes. The vegetation has changed from the Artemisia/grass steppes during the glacial/stadial periods to oak-juniper steppe-forests during the interglacial/interstadial periods. The lake seems to have had a complex hydrological history and its water levels have greatly fluctuated in the geological history. Very high lake levels have been suggested for some time intervals during the two last glacial periods as well as during both the Last Interglacial as well as the Holocene. Lowest lake levels have occurred during the last glacial periods.

Islands

Lake Urmia has 102 islands.^[9] For a Persian transcription of a list of their names, see this link. The second largest island, Shahi Island, is the burial place of Hulagu Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan and the sacker of Baghdad.

Basin rivers

• Aji Chay
• Ghaie River
• Alamlou River
• Leylan River
• Zarrineh River
• Simineh River
• Gadar River
• Mahabad River
• Barandouz River
• Shahar River
• Nazlou River
• Rozeh River
• Zola River

Protests for saving Lake Urmia

From March 2010, a series of serious protests and rallies demanding take action to save Lake Urmia was held in Iranian Azerbaijan:

• On 2 April 2010 and 2011, and after several callings from Tractor Sazi F.C.'s fans in stadiums^[10][11] and internet sites, protest demanding that the government take action to save Lake Urmia was held in Tabriz, Urmia, lake beach, and on top of the lake bridge. As a result, dozens of people were arrested by security forces.^{[12] [13][14][15][16]}

• In August 2011, after the Iranian parliament dropped two emergency cases for reviving the lake, a number of soccer fans at Tabriz derby (soccer match between Tractor Sazi F.C. and Shahrdari Tabriz F.C.) were arrested for shouting slogans in favor of protecting the lake.^[17] Later that same week, Iranian Azerbaijanies scheduled a protest against the parliament move. Despite the capture of more than 20 activists by security forces the day before the protest, numerous people attended the event in Urmia city and a number of clashes with police were reported.^[18][19][20]

• On 3 September 2011, Azerbaijanis demonstrated for second week in a row to protect Lake Urmia.^[21] The protests in Tabriz and Urmia reportedly followed parliament’s rejection of rescue plan, and security forces used violence to break up environmental rallies as protesters demanded action to save lake Urmia ^[22], and according to West Azerbaijan's governor at least 60 supporters of the lake were arrested just in Urmia and dozens in Tabriz because - according to an Iranian official - they had not applied for a permit to organize a demonstration.^[23] As the protests in Tabriz and other Iranian Azerbaijan cities, Azeris resident in Turkey called for the preservation of saltwater Lake Urmia through a peaceful protest that included pouring salt and lying on the street in front of the Iranian Embassy in Ankara.^[24]

References

1. ^ Henry, Roger (2003) Synchronized chronology: rethinking Middle East antiquity : a simple correction to Egyptian chronology resolves the major problems in biblical and Greek archaeology Algora Publishing, New York, p. 138, ISBN 0-87586-191-1
2. ^ E.J. Brill's first encyclopaedia of Islam, 1913-1936 Volume 7 page 1037 citing Strabo and Ptolemy.
3. ^ "Britanica". Britannica.com. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/619901/Lake-Urmia. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b} cf. Skjærvø, Prods Oktor (2006), "Iran, vi(1). Earliest Evidence", Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. 13
5. ^ "Saline Systems; Urmia Salt Lake, Iran". Salinesystems.org. http://www.salinesystems.org/content/2/1/9. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
6. ^ C.Michael Hogan. 2011. Lake Urmia. Eds.P.Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC
7. ^ "Iran's East and West Azarbaijan provinces conntected by Lake Orumiyeh bridge". Payvand.com. http://www.payvand.com/news/08/nov/1165.html. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
8. ^ ^{a b} Karmi N. Iran's largest lake turning to salt. Associated Press 25 May 2011. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110525/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_environmental_disaster/print
9. ^ List from: Farahang-e Joghrafiyayi-e shahrestânhâ-ye Keshvar (Shahrestân-e Orumiyeh), Tehran 1379 Hs.
10. ^ now to post a comment! (13 October 2010). "A video from slogan "Let's cry and fill Lake Urmia with our tears", in Azerbaijani Turkic : Gəlin Gedək Ağlayaq Urmu Gölün Dolduraq". Youtube.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbgqwAjPR00. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
11. ^ now to post a comment! (30 November 2010). "A video from slogan "Let's cry and fill Lake Urmia with our tears", in Azerbaijani Turkic : Gəlin Gedək Ağlayaq Urmu Gölün Dolduraq". Youtube.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVLkZUHGHCo. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
12. ^ "Iranian greens fear disaster as Lake Orumieh shrinks". The Guardian (London). 5 September 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/05/iran-greens-lake-orumieh-shrinks. 
13. ^ now to post a comment! (6 April 2011). "Video: Urmiye Gölü - İran polisi etirazçılara daş atır! (2 April 2010)". Youtube.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4lSyEG5oH8. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
14. ^ Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment! (2 April 2010). "Video: South Azerbaijan, Çöl günü (13 fərvərdin 1390)(2 April 2010), Urmu Golu". Youtube.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCYl16Rtcss. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
15. ^ now to post a comment! (2 April 2011). "Video:Təbriz şəhərində 13 Fərvərdin 1390 (2 April 2011)'da geçirilən Urmu gölü mitingindən görüntülər". Youtube.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uO9bSDDeI4. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
16. ^ now to post a comment!. "April 2011 Güney Azerbaycanın başkendi Tebriz de Urmu Gölünün İran rejimi terefinden qurudulmasına etiraz olaraqAzerbaycan meydanı (Acı Çay) kenarında keçirilen eylem". Youtube.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12fZGMmhXoM. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
17. ^ Mackey, Robert (30 August 2011). "NYTimes: Protests in Iran Over Disappearing Lake". Iran: Thelede.blogs.nytimes.com. http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/protests-in-iran-over-disappearing-lake/. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
18. ^ "South Azerbaijanis set to protest against Iranian Parliament's move". News.az. 24 August 2011. http://www.news.az/articles/politics/43074. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
19. ^ "Rally protesting Iran over Lake Urmia turns violent". Hurriyet Daily News. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=rally-protesting-iran-over-lake-urmia-turns-violent-2011-09-01. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
20. ^ "Iranian protest urges help for shrinking lake". Sfgate.com. 30 August 2011. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/08/30/international/i093033D89.DTL. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
21. ^ "Tabriz Demonstration Sep.3.2011 (12 Shehriver 1390) to protect Lake Urmia". Youtube.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvYD3bK0RYk. Retrieved 3 September 2011. 
22. ^ "Iran police break up environmental protests". euronews.net. http://www.euronews.net/2011/09/04/iran-police-break-up-environmental-protests/. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
23. ^ "Iran arrests saltwater lake protesters". Bbc.co.uk. 4 September 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14780708. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
24. ^ "Azeri Turks in Ankara protest Lake Urmia drying up". todayszaman.com. http://www.todayszaman.com/news-255721-azeri-turks-in-ankara-protest-lake-urmia-drying-up.html. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 

External links

• Saline Systems; Urmia Salt Lake, Iran
• Profile at UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Directory
• Lake level fluctuations in the geological history
• Late Pleistocene vegetation changes in NW Iran
• Evaluation of dike-type causeway impacts on the flow and salinity regimes in Urmia Salt Lake, Iran
• Iran's Environmental Ticking Bomb
• www.urmiyalake.blogveb.com