The Yangtze River holds the distinction of being the longest river in all of Asia, stretching almost 4,000 miles in length. But the Yangtze River also bears the name “the Yellow River” due to its famous color. While most people intially assume the water of the river is an opaque yellow from mud or algae, there is often a more scientific explanation behind the cause of the discoloration.
The true source of the discoloration lies in basin sediments and an influx of dissolved substances into the river. Commonly found in the upper stream of the Yangtze River, sediments from adjacent riverbanks such as sand and loess (fine-grained, yellow silt loam) are gradually washed into the water, thus driving up its visible yellow color.
These sediments, as well as high silt concentrations, will also cause the water to move slower due to stalled diffusion. As more silt and sediment accumulates, narrowing the waterway, the faster the water will move. And when the water moves faster, the more erosion of the downstream banks and sediment build-up that will occur.
Not only can the erosive power of the water help to drive up the color of the river, but so can the accumulation of industrial waste and pollutant discharges. The presence of industrial wastewater, agricultural chemicals, and other wastewater all have the potential to have an influence on the color, as well as the water quality, of the Yangtze.
The effects of pollution can be compounded by the fact that the Yangtze undergoes a process of eutrophication due to the intensive farming activities along its banks. Eutrophication, which is the enrichment of nutrients in water bodies, can lead to an artificial increase in the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus, and in turn can lead to an increase in the number of algae in the water.
In addition to these factors, seasonal shifts in the water flow also can change the color of the Yangtze. When temperatures drop, the river’s water level will inevitably decrease, and the current of the river can become slower due to reduced water depth. As a result, suspended sediment can become deposited on the bottom of the river, resulting in increased turbidity and a more yellow hue of the river.
In summary, the color of the Yangtze is driven by a combination of sediment accumulation, eutrophication due to fertilizer runoff, industrial and human pollution, as well as seasonal fluctuations in the water flow. Unfortunately, it is one of the most polluted rivers in the world due to human activities, putting the ecology of the 4,000-mile long river at risk.
Pollution from Sewage
Sewage is one the main sources of pollution for the Yangtze River. Besides sediment erosion, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff, sewage from urban households and riverside towns is also a major contributor to the river’s polluted water. This sewage not only causes the color of the river to become a yellowish shade, but it also contaminates the river’s water with bacteria and pathogens.
Furthermore, it has the potential to cause serious health problems and even death in nearby communities due to drinking water contamination. This means the unsafe water poses a great threat to the local residents. The residents lack access to safe drinking water and are more likely to suffer from diseases related to contamination.
Unfortunately, the government of China has been slow to address these sewage issues and implement stricter pollution regulations, leading to an escalation of environmental degradation in the Yangtze River. In fact, the amount of sewage discharged into the Yangtze River is estimated to be more than five times the amount discharged into other rivers in China.
As long as there is no significant decrease in the amount of sewage discharged into the Yangtze River, the water quality and color of the river will continue to worsen. This will, in turn, degrade the quality of life for the people living along the river.
Environmental Impact of the Yangtze
Besides the contamination of drinking water, the environmental damage of the Yangtze River’s yellow hue and poor water quality is extensive. The polluted water can stunt the growth of aquatic life, reduce biodiversity and disrupt the natural habitats of many species.
Moreover, the viability of fish for both domestic and commercial use is drastically reduced due to the pollutants in the water. Not only are fish starving of resources, but the vast array of pollutants makes them inedible and thus hazardous for human consumption.
The largest threat, however, is the impact on the sensitive ecosystem of the Yangtze River Basin, one of the most diverse areas in China and home to a significant range of endemic species. Constant exposure to pollution diminishes the health of not only fishes and marine life, but also aquatic plants and birds.
Moreover, the presence of pollutants in the Yangtze River creates more water conflicts between upstream and downstream stakeholders, as the downstream areas reliant on the river struggle to cope with the pollution.
Rehabilitation Efforts
Environmental conservationists, scholars, and even governments are pushing for more action to protect the Yangtze River and restore the health of its ecosystems. To address the main cause of the river’s problems – pollution – several organizations have launched a number of measures to improve water quality, such as environmental protection zones, pollution prevention measures, and strengthened water pollution management systems.
Of these, one of the most prominent projects is China’s “A Healthy Yangtze” initiative, which focuses on three key areas: water conservation, wetland restoration, and pollution control. It involves the construction of sewage treatment plants to reduce the amount of untreated wastewater discharged into the river and improve the water quality of the Yangtze.
With the goal of restoring the ecological health of the river and its surrounding environment, other schemes to improve the condition of the Yangzte River have been implemented, such as wetland conservation and ecological engineering projects. These projects are aimed at reducing the amount of sediment in the river and improving water quality.
The Chinese central government have also invested heavily into the conservation of the Yangtze River, with plans to develop a “blue economic belt” around the river. The event involves an ecological protection program to improve water quality and reduce pollution, as well as joint projects to increase economic development along the river areas.
Long-term Solutions
To address the long-term issue of a yellow Yangtze River, experts are calling for decisive action from the government, businesses, and the local community. Currently, a long-term plan to reduce human activities that cause water pollution is being formulated. This plan is intended to shift the public’s focus away from relying on the river for short-term economic gain, and instead towards investing in the environment for long-term sustainability.
On the other hand, businesses are encouraged to ensure their activities do not harm the environment, and the government has implemented a series of regulations and policies to reduce water pollution, such as the enforcement of environmental standards and the implementation of waste-water discharge fees.
Improved waste management is also a key part of the anti-pollution efforts. Laws requiring enterprises to install modern sewage treatment facilities, waste incinerators, and other pollution control items have been set in place to reduce the contamination of the river. Additionally, residents living in rural settlements along the banks of the Yangtze are encouraged to participate in environmental awareness campaigns.
The key to restoring the health of the Yangtze River is in the collective efforts of China’s citizens, businesses, and government officials. Only when these collective efforts are implemented can the yellow discoloration of the longest river in Asia begin to recede.
