Brian Barton
The Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, has been facing severe pollution for years. Flowing through varied landscapes, the river is of immense economic importance to China, contributing to around 42% of the country's GDP. However, the river's water quality has been compromised by various factors, including industrial wastewater discharge, agricultural chemical fertilisers, ship garbage, and a growing population. Despite efforts to improve the situation, the river remains polluted, with a significant impact on aquatic life and the ecosystem. The Chinese government has implemented measures to control pollution and improve water quality, but the fight against pollution remains challenging.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | 6,300km-6,380km |
| Location | Rises on the Tibetan Plateau and flows into the East China Sea |
| Tributaries | More than 600km and almost 30% are in critical condition |
| Pollution Causes | Industrial wastewater discharge, agricultural chemical fertilizer, ship garbage, acid rain, sewage, chemical production, textile dyeing, finishing, and eutrophication |
| Pollution Effects | Deformities in fish, decline in migratory birds, blue-green algae blooms |
| Pollution Control Measures | Moratorium on fishing, enhanced management of shorelines, removal of small-scale hydropower stations, tree-planting projects, regulation of industry, wastewater treatment |
| Economic Importance | The Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) contributes to around 42% of China's GDP and is important for food and energy security |
| Flooding | The Three Gorges Dam was built to control flooding and prevent disasters downstream |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial wastewater discharge
The Yangtze River, the longest river in China, has played a significant role in the country's history, culture, and economy. However, it has faced pollution issues, particularly from industrial wastewater discharge.
Industrial activities along the Yangtze have contributed significantly to water pollution. In the past, many factories discharged sewage directly into the river, becoming the leading cause of pollution. While the amount of wastewater has been reduced substantially after government intervention, the river's water quality remains impacted. In 2016, 35.32 billion tons of wastewater flowed into the Yangtze, threatening the health of the river and the people and ecosystems that depend on it.
The river basin covers 19 provinces and is the primary water source for almost 600 million people. The area is of significant economic importance, with various industries dominating Chinese production. However, this development comes at an environmental cost, with a rapid increase in upstream wastewater and concerns over heavy metal discharge. The river's tributaries continue to have Grade V+ water quality, indicating severe pollution.
The Chinese government has taken steps to address this issue. In 2020, sweeping laws were passed to protect the river's ecology, including banning chemical plants within 1 kilometre of the river and relocating polluting industries. Additionally, the World Bank has approved a $200 million loan to enhance ecological protection and reduce water pollution, focusing on improving coordination, data collection, and wastewater treatment.
The pollution of the Yangtze River due to industrial wastewater discharge is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. While efforts are being made to mitigate the problem, the river's health and the well-being of the ecosystems and communities it supports remain at stake. The situation underscores the critical need for sustainable practices and comprehensive pollution control measures to restore and protect the Yangtze River's fragile ecosystem.
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Agricultural chemical fertiliser
The Yangtze River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world due to the discharge of industrial waste and the application of large amounts of agricultural chemical fertilisers in its catchment area. The river spans 6,300 km from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in western China to Shanghai on the eastern coast, flowing through varied landscapes, both natural and economic.
The problem of fertiliser pollution in the Yangtze River has been ongoing for several decades. Data from 1958 to 1985 showed that nitrate-N concentrations in the middle reaches of the Yangtze increased after the agricultural reforms of 1978. This trend continued, with fertiliser N inputs to the Yangtze watershed rising from 400 kt N in 1968 to 6000 kt N in 1997, leading to a tenfold increase in nitrate concentration and N load in the river during this period. The intensification of agriculture and the shift from traditional green manure and organic fertilisers to mineral fertilisers contributed to this increase.
The Chinese government has recognised the issue of agricultural pollution and has implemented measures to address it. In 2006, the control of agricultural source pollution and the reduction of chemical fertiliser application were included in the Outline of the 11th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. As a result, N emissions to groundwater and surface water began to decline, although they remained at high levels. The implementation of different measures, such as the fertiliser reduction pattern and integrated pattern, is expected to reduce systemic N emissions to groundwater below environmental risk thresholds before 2050.
However, the challenge of reducing fertiliser pollution while ensuring food security remains. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, agricultural environmental policies must balance food security with the control of agricultural nonpoint source pollution. This includes further reducing the amount and intensity of chemical fertiliser use, promoting the use of organic fertilisers, and improving the efficiency of N use in agriculture.
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Ship garbage
The Yangtze River, the longest river in China, has been facing severe pollution issues for years. One of the major contributors to this pollution is ship garbage. With the development of the shipping industry, a large number of ships sail up and down the Yangtze River every day.
The ships produce and discharge a significant amount of waste and sewage into the river. In 2015, it was estimated that ships on the Yangtze River generated about 75,000 tons of rubbish and 360 million tons of untreated living sewage. The situation was so dire that, at that time, people were said to be able to walk on the waste discarded upstream of the Gezhouda Dam without any danger.
The crew members of these ships have also been observed throwing litter directly into the river, further exacerbating the problem. The combination of solid waste and untreated sewage from these vessels has severely impacted the water quality and ecosystem of the Yangtze River.
To address this issue, the Chinese central and local governments have implemented various strategies to control pollution. These measures include enforcing stricter supervision and management of sewage discharge, optimizing the layout of sewage outfall, and ordering chemical companies to rectify or close. While these efforts have shown some improvement, the fight against pollution in the Yangtze River remains an ongoing challenge.
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Acid rain
Since 1990, acid rain has predominantly occurred in southwestern China, including the southern Yangtze River, the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the Sichuan Basin. From 1997 to 2002, acid rain was prevalent in approximately 30% of northern, eastern, and southern China. Due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, coupled with inadequate government control policies before 2006, acid rain was particularly severe in developed cities in southern China, such as Guangzhou and Chengdu.
The Chinese government has recognised the severity of acid rain and implemented various control measures. During the Ninth Five-Year Plan, the "Two Control Areas" plan was established, with SO2 pollution control areas in the north and acid rain control areas in the south. These efforts have yielded some positive results, with a decrease in the concentration of SO42–, a reduction in acid rain frequency, and an increase in the pH of acid rain.
Despite these improvements, acid rain remains a concern in China. The ongoing urbanisation and economic development continue to impact the environment, and the chemical composition of rainwater remains a focus of research. The Yangtze River, in particular, has suffered from industrial wastewater discharge, agricultural chemical fertiliser, and ship garbage, in addition to acid rain.
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Eutrophication
The Yangtze River, the longest river in China, has been facing challenges due to pollution and environmental degradation over the past few decades. Eutrophication, a type of water pollution, has been a significant issue affecting the river and its lakes. Eutrophication occurs when there is an excessive amount of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, in a water body, often due to agricultural activities.
In the case of the Yangtze River, agricultural fertiliser use in the region has been a major contributor to eutrophication. The excessive use of nitrogen and phosphorus-based fertilisers in agriculture has led to these chemicals being washed into the river and its lakes during rainfall. This has resulted in an overabundance of nutrients in the water, causing excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants, a process known as an algal bloom.
The annual algal bloom in Taihu Lake, one of the lakes affected by eutrophication in the Yangtze River Basin, has been a notable example. In 2007, the amount of blue-green algae removed from the lake daily reached 26,000 tons, highlighting the severity of the issue. Eutrophication not only affects the ecological balance of the water body but also has negative consequences for the organisms living in and depending on the river and its lakes.
Additionally, the intensive farming of fish in ponds along the Yangtze River has also contributed to eutrophication. The carp species farmed in these ponds thrive in eutrophic water conditions and feed on algae, further exacerbating the problem. The discharge of waste from pig farms and the release of untreated industrial and municipal sewage have further worsened the pollution levels in the river.
Addressing eutrophication in the Yangtze River requires a comprehensive approach. Measures such as improving agricultural practices, reducing the use of chemical fertilisers, implementing better waste management systems, and treating industrial and municipal sewage before release are essential steps towards mitigating eutrophication and improving the overall water quality of the Yangtze River.
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Frequently asked questions
The Yangtze River has been polluted for a long time, but the situation worsened in 2007 when a report by the Chinese Academy of Science stated that the river was largely and seriously polluted.
The river's pollution is mainly caused by industrial wastewater discharge, agricultural chemical fertilizer, ship garbage, and acid rain. In 2015, the river received 360 million tons of sewage and 75,000 tons of rubbish from ships.
The Chinese government has implemented measures and regulations to control and improve the situation. Chemical companies have been ordered to rectify or close, and factories have been asked to move away from the waterfront. The layout of sewage outfall has been optimized, and local laws to reduce pollution have been introduced.
