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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on December 03, 2024
Daily Insights and Initiatives for UPSC Exam Notes: Comprehensive explanations and high-quality material provided regularly for students
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II & III - International relations, Environment & Ecology
Context:
The Panama Canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Isthmus of Panama, was opened to ships 110 years ago. Today, it faces an existential threat
Read about:
What is Historical Significance of Panama Canal?
Global trade in Panama and Red sea route
Key Takeaways:
- The Panama Canal is more than just a waterway connecting two larger bodies of water; it's a complex, meticulously engineered system that utilizes locks and elevators to transport ships from one end to the other.
- This intricate system is necessary because the two oceans connected by the canal are at different elevations, with the Pacific being slightly higher than the Atlantic. To navigate this elevation difference, ships traveling from the Atlantic to the Pacific must ascend during their journey.
- This is accomplished through a system of locks that raise and lower vessels to the appropriate sea levels at each end of the canal.
- Locks function as water elevators by either filling with water to raise ships or draining to lower them. The canal's lock system includes three sets of locks, totaling 12 locks, supported by artificial lakes and channels.
- Here's how a lock set operates: a ship enters the first, lowest lock chamber, which is at sea level; the gate at the entrance opens to admit the ship and then closes; water is then transferred from the first chamber to the second, higher chamber; once the water levels are equalized, the gate between the chambers opens, allowing the ship to move into the next chamber. This process continues to achieve the necessary elevation.
- The reverse process occurs when descending. Ships entering from the Atlantic first gain 26 meters of elevation at Lake Gaitan before descending as they approach the Pacific side
Climate Change threats
- The Panama Canal requires a substantial amount of fresh water to operate its lock system. Most of this water is sourced from Lake Gatun, relying on gravity to move it, which means no pumps are needed.
- Each day, the canal consumes about 2.5 times the amount of water used by New York City's 8 million residents. Recently, lower water levels in Lake Gatun restricted the number of ships that could transit the canal daily, and those that did often had to reduce their cargo.
- While ocean water could be used to operate the locks, it would increase the salinity of Lake Gatun, which also provides drinking water for over half of Panama's 4.4 million people.
- Though improved rainfall this year has eased some issues, experts warn that this is likely a temporary relief. Carlos Urriola, president of SSA International, notes that improved conditions can create a false sense of security.
- The broader issue is linked to climate change, which has led to more frequent extreme rainfall deficits.
- While significant rainfall shortages historically occurred about once every 20 years due to major El Niño events, there have been three such deficits in the past 26 years, suggesting a shift in rainfall patterns, according to Steven Paton from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. The conditions in 2023 were unprecedented in the last century.
- To address this ongoing challenge, Panama Canal authorities have proposed creating a new water source by damming the Rio Indio.
- Although such proposals have b