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IMPERIAL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, AUGUST 2009: Aerial views of the Salton Sea, a large saline lake created by runoff toxic water from the fields, Imperial Valley, 6 August 2009. The Imperial Valley is a desert area which controversially uses three quarters of Californias allocated river water for agricultural purposes. The agricultural techniques have traditionally been flood and furrow which experts claim waste vast quanties of precious water. Imperial Valley farmers are looking at alternative techniques through which to conserve water supply and this is leading to the drying up of the Salton Sea. As the waters dry more of the sediment is exposed, it contains harmful fertilizers and toxins and could become a major air pollution hazzard in the near future. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Reportage for Getty Images.)