TPO 54 Integrated Writing

The topic mainly discusses the solution to the reduction of salinity for the Salton Sea in California. The author in the passage suggests three options to achieve the goal. However, the speaker claims that those means are unrealistic.

First of all, the passage says we can remove the salt by desalination facilities. Yet, the speaker states that it will produce a serious problem. By evaporating the water and leaving the solid materials in the facilities, those materials may contain toxic chemicals, and the wind will spread it into the air. Moreover, people will expose to the hazard. Therefore, special desalination facilities are not practical.

On the other hand, the reading content suggests that importing the ocean water can reduce salinity. Nonetheless, the speaker points out that the ocean is 100 km away from the Salton Sea. It will require the local government to pay for the expensive pipeline construction, yet the authority cannot afford it.

Finally, the author claims that constructing walls to divide the lake into several sections can control salinity. Nevertheless, the speaker indicates that there are frequent and intensive geological activities, such as an earthquake. Those activities will make the walls last not for long, and salinity will increase at the end.

To sum up, the reading content provides three solutions for decreasing salinity. However, the speaker indicates that those approaches are not feasible.

Word count: 227