Bronte Wells
China's lakes have been severely affected by pollution, with decades of contamination causing irreversible damage to some of the country's most important water resources. One of the most well-known cases is Lake Tai, also known as Taihu, which is China's third-largest freshwater lake and a vital source of water for millions of residents. Despite billions of yuan spent on cleanup projects, the lake remains severely polluted, with a major algae bloom and cyanobacteria outbreak in 2007. Another lake that has faced significant pollution issues is Dian Lake, the largest lake in Yunnan Province, which has been affected by urban sewage, industrial wastewater, and harmful algal blooms. The Chinese government has recognized the severity of the situation, listing it as a national sewage treatment project in the 'Three Rivers and Three Lakes' scheme.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the first polluted lake in China | Dian Lake, also known as Dianchi, Dianchi Lake, Lake Dian, Kunming Lake |
| Location | Puduhe-Xishan fault in Kunming, Yunnan, China |
| Size | 40 km long, 7 km average width, 1886 meters above sea level, 150 km of coastline |
| Surface Area | Northern end (Caohai) - 7.5 km2, Southern end (Waihai) - 292 km2 |
| Average Depth | Northern end (Caohai) - 2.5 meters, Southern end (Waihai) - 4.4 meters |
| Water Flow | Out of the lake to the west via the Pudu River, which eventually joins the Yangtze River |
| Pollution Causes | Land reclamation, urbanization projects, sewage, industrial wastewater, harmful algal blooms, heavy metal contamination |
| Pollution Consequences | Loss of biodiversity, drinking water contamination, swimming and fishing restrictions |
| Pollution Control Efforts | Wetland parks, inclusion in the 'Three Rivers and Three Lakes' national sewage treatment project |
| Other Polluted Lakes in China | Lake Tai (Taihu), Yangzong Lake, Baotou Lake |
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What You'll Learn
Dian Lake, Yunnan
Dian Lake, also known as Dianchi, Kunming Lake, or Lake Dian, is a shallow freshwater fault lake in Yunnan, China. It is located on the Puduhe-Xishan fault in Kunming, Yunnan, at 24°23′–26°22′ N, 102°10′–103°40′ E. The lake is 40 kilometres long, running from north to south, with an average width of 7 kilometres and a maximum width of 12.5 kilometres. Dian Lake is the sixth largest lake in China and the largest lake in Yunnan Province.
Dian Lake has historically played an important role in regulating the microclimate of the Yunnan region and has contributed to the productivity of the province's industry, agriculture, husbandry, and fisheries. However, the lake has faced significant ecological challenges due to extensive land reclamation and urbanization projects. The lake's relatively closed nature, with a slow water exchange rate and low self-purification capacity, makes it susceptible to harmful algal blooms and heavy metal contamination.
From 1966 to 1970, a lake reclamation project led by People's Liberation Army Lieutenant General Tan Furen caused severe damage to the marsh wetlands in the Caohai area. This, combined with large amounts of urban sewage and industrial wastewater discharged into the lake, exceeded its self-purification capacity and resulted in serious pollution. In the late 1990s to early 2000s, Dian Lake was identified as one of the top three water pollution concerns in China, with pollution peaking in 2009 when the water quality was classified as "worse than Grade 5," deemed too dangerous for human contact.
To address the pollution, the Chinese government listed Dian Lake as a national sewage treatment project in the "Three Rivers and Three Lakes" scheme launched in 1995. Ongoing rehabilitation and pollution control efforts have been implemented, including the construction of wetland parks in the lakeside zone to purify the water and provide leisure areas for citizens. These parks feature oxidation ponds with aquatic plants and surrounding trails, trees, and lawns. While these efforts have made progress, the ecological balance of Dian Lake remains fragile, and it continues to be recognized as an ecoregion in need of protection and restoration.
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Lake Tai, Jiangsu
Lake Tai, also known as Taihu, is China's third-largest freshwater lake and one of its most important water resources. The 2,400-square-kilometre lake, located in southern China, is the source of the Suzhou River and feeds the Huangpu River, which runs along Shanghai's Bund. The water channels that criss-cross the region around Lake Tai have become vital for economic development. The lake is linked to the Grand Canal and is the origin of several rivers, including Suzhou Creek.
Lake Tai is situated in Jiangsu province, with a significant part of its southern shore forming the border with Zhejiang. The lake contains about 90 islands, ranging from a few square meters to several square kilometres in size. The major cities surrounding Lake Tai include Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, and Huzhou, which form the core of the lake's cultural and economic region.
Lake Tai has been severely polluted for decades, posing a significant challenge for authorities. As early as 1991, the Chinese government recognised the issue and initiated clean-up projects, investing over 10 billion yuan (US$1.6 billion) over the next 15 years. In 1998, the state approved the Taihu Environmental Management Plan, aiming to tackle pollution by pushing major polluters in the area to meet emission standards. Despite these efforts, pollution levels remained high, with a massive algal bloom occurring in 2007.
The pollution in Lake Tai is attributed to various factors, including industrial waste, sewage, and population growth. In 1993 alone, one billion tons of wastewater, 450,000 tons of garbage, and 880,000 tons of animal waste were dumped into the lake. The Chinese government has continued to allocate significant resources to improve the lake's water quality, but the issue remains a serious concern.
The challenges in restoring Lake Tai's ecological balance highlight the complexities of managing water resources in highly urbanised and industrialised regions. The case of Lake Tai serves as a critical reminder of the need for sustained and effective pollution reduction strategies to protect vital water sources.
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Baotou Lake, Inner Mongolia
China has been battling pollution in its lakes for decades. One of the most notorious cases is that of Baotou Lake in Inner Mongolia, which has become a toxic wasteland due to industrial activities and the disposal of waste.
The Baotou Lake is an artificial lake located near the city of Baotou, in Inner Mongolia, China. It is also known as the Baogang Tailings Dam, and it was created by damming a river and flooding what was once farmland. The dam was constructed between 1955 and 1963 and is owned by the Baotou Steel company, also known as the Baogang Steel and Rare Earth Complex. This complex is the world's largest rare earth mine and refinery, and it supplies rare earth minerals that are essential for the production of modern technology, including smartphones, tablets, and wind turbines.
However, the refining and extraction processes generate millions of tons of toxic waste each year, which has been disposed of in the Baotou Lake. The lake has become a dumping ground for waste by-products, creating a nightmarish landscape of black, barely-liquid sludge. Thick pipes line the shore, continuously pumping out chemical waste from the surrounding refineries. The air is filled with the smell of sulphur, and the surrounding environment has been severely impacted.
The pollution from the lake and the nearby refineries has had devastating effects on the health of the local community. According to Julie Klinger, a geographer and assistant professor of international relations at Boston University, the pollution has led to increased sickness and health issues among the local population. The cancer rates in the area are reported to be 70 times higher than the rest of the country, and Baotou now has a 20-story hospital dedicated solely to bone medicine.
The Chinese government and the Baotou Iron & Steel Group have recognized the severity of the situation. In 2015, there were plans to spend 2 billion yuan (US$280 million) to expand the lake and address the toxic historical tailings. However, critics argue that such expansion will only exacerbate the problems for the local population and the environment.
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Chagan Lake, Northeast China
Chagan Lake, located in the southwest of Songnen Plain, Northeast China, is the largest natural lake in Jilin Province. Covering an area of almost 500 square kilometres, it is one of the biggest freshwater lakes in the country and is of great importance to fisheries, agriculture, and winter recreation. The name "Chagan" is derived from the Mongolian word for "white/pure lake," and it is often revered as the Sacred or Holy Water Lake by locals.
The lake is renowned for its ancient winter fishing tradition, featuring a technique that dates back to prehistoric times. Chagan Lake is the only place where the oldest Mongolian fishing method is preserved. During the winter, fishermen drill numerous holes through the thick ice and carefully manoeuvre a 2-kilometre-long net beneath it. This centuries-old technique has been passed down through generations and remains unchanged, with no modern machinery involved.
Chagan Lake's ice phenology serves as a crucial indicator of climate change in Northeast China. Studies have analysed the freeze-up date, break-up date, and ice cover duration of the lake over two decades, revealing a trend of later freeze-up and earlier break-up dates, resulting in a shorter ice cover duration. Additionally, satellite images have captured the appearance of a large-scale linear structure on the lake's surface, influenced by thermal and mechanical forces.
The lake's surface morphology undergoes remarkable changes due to the combined effects of thermal and mechanical forces. The Geostationary Ocean Colour Imager (GOCI) and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) have been instrumental in studying the hourly changes in the large-scale linear structure. By merging Landsat and GOCI images using advanced models, researchers have extracted valuable data about the structure's lengths and angles.
Chagan Lake's traditional winter fishing festival attracts tourists despite freezing temperatures. The annual festival celebrates and preserves this ancient tradition, with fishermen utilising the unique ice-fishing method that has been practised for nearly 2,000 years. The festival also includes an auction of the first fish caught, with proceeds going towards protecting the lake's ecosystem and surrounding areas.
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Yangzong Lake, Yunnan
Yangzong Lake, also known as Yangzonghai Lake, is a freshwater lake located between Yiliang County, Chenggong District, and Chengjiang County in Yunnan Province, China. It is situated about 45 kilometres east of Kunming City, the provincial capital. Yangzong Lake is recognised for its underwater springs and serves as a popular resort destination for locals.
The lake was once known for its clean water, suitable for drinking and swimming. However, in 2008, it was declared unfit for human consumption, swimming, or fishing due to high levels of arsenic contamination. This discovery was made in June 2008 when an inspection revealed that eight companies, with Yunnan Chengjiang Jinye Industrial and Trade Co Ltd being the main culprit, were engaging in illegal polluting practices. The company was found to have repeatedly disregarded the necessity of constructing a wastewater treatment facility, resulting in years of arsenic accumulation in the local water table.
The arsenic contamination incident at Yangzong Lake led to decisive actions by the Yunnan provincial government. They initiated a project named "China Yunnan Yangzonghai Lake Water Pollution Reduction, Arsenic Removal and Water Quality Restoration." This project aimed to address the critical issue of water pollution in the lake.
The pollution of Yangzong Lake has had a significant impact on the local community and the environment. About 30,000 people rely on the lake as their primary source of drinking water. The lake is also known for its biodiversity, and the contamination has likely disrupted the delicate ecological balance in the region.
While the Yunnan provincial government has taken steps to address the issue, it is unclear what the long-term effects of the pollution will be on the lake's ecosystem and the people who depend on it. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between industrial development and environmental preservation.
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Frequently asked questions
It is hard to say which lake was polluted first in China, but one of the earliest polluted lakes in the country is Dian Lake, also known as Dianchi Lake, in Yunnan Province. The lake has been susceptible to harmful algal blooms and heavy metal contamination due to its relatively closed nature, slow water-exchange rate, and low self-purification capacity.
The pollution in Dian Lake was caused by a combination of factors, including land reclamation and urbanization projects, as well as the discharge of large amounts of urban sewage and industrial wastewater. From 1966 to 1970, a lake reclamation project severely damaged the marsh wetlands in the Caohai area, further exacerbating the pollution issue.
The Chinese government has recognized the severity of the issue and listed Dian Lake as a national sewage treatment project in the "Three Rivers and Three Lakes" scheme launched in 1995. Wetland parks have been constructed in the lakeside zone to purify the water and restore the lake's ecological balance.
Yes, Lake Tai (Taihu), China's third-largest freshwater lake, has also faced significant pollution issues. Despite billions of yuan spent on cleanup efforts, the lake continues to struggle with pollution from surrounding industries and wastewater. Other polluted lakes in China include Yangzong Lake in Yunnan Province, which was contaminated with arsenic, and a toxic lake in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, created by waste byproduct dumping from rare earth mineral mining and refining.
