Background Information
The Yangtze River is the third-longest river in the world, running 6,380 kilometres from the Tanggula Mountain range in Tibet through the eastern part of China, crossing through major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai and flowing into the East China Sea. Historically, the Yangtze River has been a major source of water for both agriculture and drinking in many areas. However, due to growing pollution, it is now highly questionable whether the Yangtze River is safe for drinking.
Relevant Data and Expert Perspectives
In recent times, the contamination of the Yangtze River has been an extremely worrying environmental issue. According to a 2020 report published by the World Bank, concentrations of ‘conventional’ water pollutants including chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS) have risen in certain areas. Furthermore, the report found that the levels of nitrates, ammonia and other heavy metals in the water are excessively high throughout the entirety of the Yangtze River.
The Chinese government has made significant attempts to control water pollution in the Yangtze River through the implementation of non-degradable chemical pollutants mitigation and monitoring programs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Chinese government has eventually been able to reduce chemical pollutants by 16.4% since 2006. Nonetheless, there is still much more work to do in terms of mitigating the contamination of the Yangtze River, particularly with regards to sewage pollution and heavy metal contamination.
As far as experts are concerned, they seem to be split on the issue. Some indicators suggest that the Yangtze River may be safe for drinking as long as the water is purified, while others question whether it is safe even after undergoing thorough purification treatment. For instance, Xu Tianran, the president of a Shanghai-based environmental protection NGO, has claimed that even after going through water purification procedures, the water quality of the Yangtze River remains “inadequate for direct drinking and daily use”.
On the other hand, Hu Siyi, a professor of urban and rural planning from Peking University pointed out that the water quality of the Yangtze River is far from being safe for drinking, but that if the water is purified to a required standard, it can be considered safe for consumption. As such, this has increasingly become a source of contention for both experts and citizens alike.
Highlighting the Ailments of Pollution
The underlying issue here remains pollution. It is quite obvious that with little to no industrial or environmental regulations, the levels of chemical contaminants, nitrates and even human waste, has been allowed to accumulate within the Yangtze River. This has caused an array of other issues within the environment, such as the death of aquatic life, the alteration of the water cycle and the growing number of water-borne diseases that can be passed onto humans.
Furthermore, the natural process of sedimentation is also being hindered due to the massive concentrations of pollutants. Unravelling the specific contributing causes of pollution in the Yangtze River is an extremely complex task, as not all of the water contamination is a result of human-made activities. For instance, local weather and geology can play a part in heavily influencing the water quality of the Yangtze River.
Solutions for a Greener Future
When it comes to solutions to the water pollution problem, there are numerous options that could be undertaken. Firstly, many experts suggest that the Chinese government should continue to install wastewater treatment facilities, waste regulations and environmental friendly initiatives within regions along the Yangtze River. This is the most practical solution and the one with the highest success rate so far.
As well as this, the implementation of innovative eco-friendly technologies such as water purification systems and tidal-wave generators could be taken into consideration. Whilst these solutions are expensive, they are definitely worth exploring if the current situation is to be mitigated for good.
Environmental Education
Apart from increasing regulations and implementing new technologies, another important step is to educate individuals about the adverse effects that human activities can have on the environment. This can come in the form of online campaigns or accessible info-graphics. By teaching the public about the importance of the natural environment and encouraging them to take action, the Yangtze River’s water quality can consequently be improved.
Impact of Dam Construction on the Water Quality
The construction of dams is not only an engineering project but also a major environmental decision. This is because the artificial blockages created by dams can cause major changes to the Yangtze River’s flow and sediment deposition. As such, this can hinder with the natural flushing processes of the river and therefore lead to increased water pollution.
In addition to this, the disruption of the flow of the water can also have an effect on aquatic animals’ migration patterns and ecosystems. For instance, the construction of the Three Gorges Dam has caused a sharp decline in the numbers of migratory fish, leading to an extreme drop in the population of certain species.
As such, it is increasingly important for the Chinese government to undertake careful assessment in order to ensure that the construction of any dam will not be too detrimental to the environment. For instance, the erection of a dam may be necessary for the country’s economic progress, but it should not be built at the expense of the environment and for this reason, the Chinese government should always consider the potential environmental repercussions of constructing a dam.
Alternative Sources of Freshwater
Due to the current state of the Yangtze River and its water pollution, it is not recommended that citizens drink directly from the river without further purification. As such, it is important to take into consideration alternative sources of freshwater. One such initiative is the “sponge city” program. This involves the collection and reuse of rainwater in order to help protect the environment and reduce water pollution.
By collecting and using rainwater, cities along the Yangtze River can not only conserve water resources but can also mitigate the risk of water-related hazards caused by extreme weather conditions. The first “sponge city” was constructed in 2015 and since then, the Chinese government has invested heavily in the further development of this program, with multiple cities being taken on board.
Moreover, the development of a pipeline network can be a major way in which cities can collect and deliverclean drinking water from other regions or sources to Yangtze River cities. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the implementation and maintenance of such piping systems does come with its own costs.
Conclusion
Overall, it is apparent that there is a great deal of complexity and difficulty in finding an appropriate solution to the water pollution in the Yangtze River. Nonetheless, with an increasingly environmental-friendly government and the implementation of innovative technologies and initiatives, it is very likely that this issue can be successfully addressed in the near future.
