{"id":15501,"date":"2023-10-28T20:15:14","date_gmt":"2023-10-28T19:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=15501"},"modified":"2023-10-28T20:15:14","modified_gmt":"2023-10-28T19:15:14","slug":"why-is-the-yangtze-river-so-muddy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/why-is-the-yangtze-river-so-muddy\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is The Yangtze River So Muddy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Yangtze River is the longest river in China and flows more than 6000 kilometers, bringing floods, lush and lush landscapes to the vast area of its drainage. It has been an important cultural symbol and economic lifeline for the country since ancient times. However, it is also an important source of pollution. The river has become extremely murky due to the steady increase of man-made pollution and environmental degradation. <\/p>\n

Silt is the main cause of the river’s muddiness. Much of the river’s silt comes from soil erosion caused by human activities such as intensive farming, deforestation, and construction. As overgrazing has been a problem for centuries, especially in the upper reaches of the river, the topsoil has been depleted, causing the river to carry more silt than it naturally would. Silt-laden rivers cause the river to become deeper, narrowing it further and making the flow of water faster, generating more waves and making it harder to navigate.<\/p>\n

In addition to the natural causes, industrial and agricultural activities also contribute to the increasing murkiness of the Yangtze River. Industrial chemicals such as nitrate, phosphate and ammonia, as well as organic compounds such as phenols, have been found in the river and these pollutants are detrimental to both the health of the river and its inhabitants. Poorly managed and under-regulated agricultural activities such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste and irrigation are further accentuating this problem. <\/p>\n

Industrial and agricultural wastewater discharge has been long identified as a major source of river pollution. Sewage from cities increases the concentration of nutrients and organic matter that aids the growth of algae and aquatic weeds, making the water cloudy and muddily. High concentrations of heavy metals have also been detected in the river caused by unappropriate disposal of industrial waste. The solid waste generated by household activities, such as plastic bags, bottles, cans and paper, can hinder the natural flow of the river and lead to its further muddiness.<\/p>\n