Scientists Raise Alarm on Glacier Melt Due to Aral Sea Sand Storm on UN Desertification and Drought Day
Altai Glacier Melting Worsened by Sand and Dust Storms, Scientists Say
BONN—Scientists revealed that the melting of Altai glacier is being exacerbated by sand and dust storms blown thousands of kilometers from the Aralkum desert. This information was shared at a seminar for journalists in Bonn, dedicated to the United Nations (UN) Desertification and Drought Day, observed annually on June 17.
Researchers studying Eurasia’s vast glaciers and the transportation of salt and dust from Central Asia to Transcaucasia countries have discovered that sand particles are infiltrating weak spots in glaciers, intensifying the melting process due to rising temperatures. Tatiana Kuderina, a senior researcher at the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, uses satellite images to analyze the behavior and structure of ice, providing valuable insights into the impact of sandstorms on glaciers.
Kuderina explained, “Dust from the southern parts of Eurasia is transported long distances, reaching almost to the Arctic during our winter period. This dust settles on the snow cover, degrading the quality of surface water. When this dust reaches mountainous regions like Altai, glaciers begin to melt at an accelerated rate.”
Moreover, Lyudmila Kiktenko, an environmental program manager at the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), emphasized that Central Asia is prone to sand and dust storms, as well as land degradation and desertification. She stated, “Sandstorms occur 90 days a year in our region, contributing to the degradation of land and the spread of dust particles.”
The detrimental effects of sand and dust storms are not limited to the local region. The desiccation of the Aral Sea has led to the creation of a new salt desert, generating toxic salt dust that is carried by winds to distant locations such as Antarctica, Greenland, and Norwegian forests. This phenomenon contributes to the deterioration of ice sheets and glaciers worldwide.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which coincides with the UN Desertification and Drought Day, UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw underscored the importance of sustainable land management. Thiaw highlighted the urgent need to address land degradation, especially as the world approaches the UNCCD COP 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December.
Land degradation affects a significant portion of the world’s land and population, with indigenous communities, rural households, and smallholder farmers bearing the highest costs. Recognizing the importance of preserving land resources, the UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists to enhance rangeland management in regions like Central Asia and Mongolia.
As the global community continues to grapple with the challenges of desertification and drought, concerted efforts are required to mitigate the impact of sand and dust storms on glaciers and promote sustainable land stewardship for future generations.
