What makes up the Yangtze River?
The longest river in China, the Yangtze River is a combination of both freshwater and saltwater. It covers a length of 6,300 kilometers, with the source of the Yangtze originating in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in northwest China and its mouth situated in the East China Sea.
The river is divided into two distinct parts – its upstream and downstream. Upstream of the river, the Three Gorges stretches across the river and is home to the world’s largest dam that generates electricity. The Three Gorges Dam acts as the boundary dividing the upper and lower sections of the river. Downstream, the river empties into the East China Sea, which leads to the ocean, merging the river water with saltwater.
How is the Yangtze River’s water classified?
The Yangtze River flows through numerous provinces and settlements in China, and the large, swift flow of the river is a major source of water for many of its inhabitants. As it flows through various regions, it collects different types of water, creating a complex combination of both saltwater and freshwater.
Freshwater makes up the majority of the upstream part of the river and is shared between the provinces of Qinghai, Tibet, Yushu, Sichuan and Yunnan. Meanwhile, saltwater dominates the downstream part of the river, located in Shanghai and Jiangsu Province, where the river empties into the East China Sea.
The overall salinity of the river varies and is determined by the climatic conditions and rainfall. During times of extended drought, the salinity can be as high as 0.15‰. During rainy seasons, the salinity drops to 0.07-0.08‰, however it is not uncommon to measure salinity levels of up to 0.1-0.12‰.
Why is the Yangtze River’s salinity changing?
Researchers attribute the Yangtze River’s changing salinity to various factors such as industrial pollution, climate change and urbanisation. In particular, the concentrations of pollutant ions such as nitrate, nitrite and sulfate are increasingly impacting the salinity level.
In the past few decades, increasing levels of population have led to rapidly increasing rates of industrialisation in the Yangtze basin. This has resulted in the river becoming increasingly polluted with pollutants such as organic pollutants, heavy metals, and associated organic pollutants. According to experts, it is estimated that over 80% of the river water is now heavily polluted, drastically affecting its water salinity.
Additionally, climate change has also had a significant effect on the salinity level. As China has experienced increased temperature and precipitation over the past decade, this shift in temperature and rainfall has caused variability in the river’s water salinity.
How does the changing salinity of the Yangtze River affect locals?
The changing salinity level of the Yangtze River has had a range of direct and indirect effects on the local population. In particular, large fluctuations in river salinity levels have impacted diverse fish species, threatening the livelihoods of locals who depend on fishing for income. Reports have shown that poor industrial management has led to fish populations dramatically decreasing due to the high levels of toxicity in the river.
Whilst the environmental impacts of the river’s pollution are far-reaching, a lack of awareness among locals on the implications of their actions have also contributed to these dangerous levels of pollution. As such, there is an urgent need to change existing societal norms and raise public awareness of the importance of the river.
How is the Chinese government responding to decreasing salinity levels?
The Chinese government have initiated a variety of initiatives and laws in order to reduce industrial pollution in the Yangtze River and protect the surrounding environment.
In particular, the government has introduced the ‘Three Red Lines’ – an integrated regional plan that was designed as a protection scheme for the Yangtze region. It aims to protect the environment by minimising the environmental impacts of industry and encouraging sustainable development.
Additionally, the Chinese government has put in place numerous regulations to control and manage industrial pollution in the Yangtze River basin. Some of these regulations include the establishment of a total pollutant discharge limit, new standards for wastewater discharge and the implementation of stricter control strategies.
Can technology help improve the water salinity of the Yangtze River?
Water purification technology is an effective tool in improving the salinity levels of the Yangtze River. To reduce the amount of pollutants entering the river, efficient water treatment processes need to be implemented. Technologies such as biological wastewater treatment systems and aquatic pollutant removal can help to filter pollutants from the river water and reduce the amount of pollutants entering into the Yangtze River.
In addition, scientists are also researching new ‘eco-friendly’ technologies to reduce pollutions from industries. One such example includes the development of a new wastewater treatment technology called ozonation, which operates more efficiently and costs less.
Should the Chinese government focus on agricultural pollution?
Agricultural activities are now being considered as one of the key sources of water pollution in the Yangtze River basin. Much of the pollution is caused by pesticides and chemicals used in agricultural activities, which have a direct impact on water salinity levels.
To address this problem, experts suggest that the government should focus on the proper management and disposal of agrochemicals, ensure compliance with the regulations on pesticide use, and provide incentives for farmers who have adopted sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, the Chinese government could target the problem at the source by encouraging farmers to transition towards using organic fertilisers and limiting the use of agrochemicals.
Should the Yangtze River be protected?
The Yangtze River is an invaluable natural resource for the Chinese people and holds immense cultural, ecological and economic significance. Therefore, it is crucial for the government to take action to protect the river and combat the global climate change.
The Chinese government should continue investing resources in researching, planning and implementing various strategies to reduce river salinity, protect aquatic species and maintain the river’s unique biodiversity. Furthermore, local initiatives should be encouraged, such as regularly monitoring water quality, initiating educational programmes and promoting conservation activities.
Can public participation help to protect the Yangtze River?
Public awareness and engagement is essential in order to protect the Yangtze River. The government should take advantage of the advantages of the Internet to educate the public and raise awareness on the importance of preserving the river. Additionally, the government should instil a sense of responsibility among citizens by incorporating practical knowledge of water conservation into educational programmes.
For example, public awareness campaigns have been known to be effective in persuading people to adopt eco-friendly practices such as using chemical-free cleaning materials, recycling, and limiting water wastage. Through such activities, the Chinese people can gain a better understanding of the implications of their actions on the Yangtze River and be more conscious about safeguarding the surrounding environment.
Can international organisations help to protect the Yangtze River?
International organisations have an important role to play in helping the Chinese government to protect the Yangtze River. In particular, organisations such as the United Nations, World Bank and Asian Development Bank can contribute greatly to the conservation of the Yangtze River through the provision of funds and technical support.
Such organisations also have an influence in setting international standards on the management of natural resources, thereby forcing governments to abide by these standards and commit to protecting the environment. Moreover, international organisations can encourage and standardise cooperative efforts among countries, particularly to promote regional actions such as the implementation of sustainable resource management and waste management practices.
Concluding Remarks
Ultimately, the Yangtze River is a key component of the Chinese people’s lives and wellbeing and is part of a larger global ecosystem. With increasing levels of industrialisation, it is essential to ensure the salinity levels of the Yangtze River are controlled.
By taking action on pollution and raising public awareness, the Chinese government, local communities and international organisations can support each other in protecting the Yangtze River and improving its salinity levels. This will ensure the preservation of its unique biodiversity, as well as providing an economic, sustainable and safe resource for the people of China.
