Article
Environmental Sciences
Yutong Guo, Bing Deng
Summary: High sediment flux in large rivers provides sufficient dilution to heavy metals' concentration, but sediment starvation caused by hydrological engineering has been reported worldwide in recent decades. This study investigated heavy metal concentrations and speciation in suspended sediments downstream of the Three Gorges Dam during dry and flood seasons. Significant changes in Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu were found along the river channel, constrained by the dilution efficiency of suspended sediment during the dry season. The high proportion of labile fraction indicated anthropogenic sources of heavy metals, and the historical trend of metal content showed that both the TGD construction and anthropogenic influx contribute to increasing environmental risk in the Yangtze River basin.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Civil
Yunping Yang, Jinhai Zheng, Lingling Zhu, Huaqing Zhang, Jianjun Wang
Summary: This study examines the impacts of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) impoundment on sediment sorting and downstream transport characteristics. The results show that the reservoir prevents a significant amount of upstream sediments from reaching the downstream area of the dam, leading to a decrease in the discharge of fine and coarse particles. The study highlights the importance of understanding the effects of large dams on sediment transport in river systems.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenzhong Tang, Limin Shu, Jack C. Ng, Yaohui Bai, Yu Zhao, Hui Lin, Hong Zhang
Summary: This study analyzed the content characteristics of seven metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) in the surface sediment of Dongting Lake (DTL) and found that the metal fluxes in DTL have shifted from deposition to export, with a weakening effect on sediment quality in recent years.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jian Sun, Fanyi Zhang, Xiaofeng Zhang, Binliang Lin, Zuosheng Yang, Bing Yuan, Roger A. Falconer
Summary: Dam-induced sediment reduction has significantly impacted fluvial systems, leading to a substantial decrease in suspended sediment concentration over the years and a shift in the distribution pattern along the mainstream.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Gao, Li Chen, Wei Zhang, Xin Li, Quanxi Xu
Summary: This study examined the impacts of the Three Gorges Dam impoundment on the flow process, sediment transport, and river morphology in the downstream reaches of the Yangtze River. Results indicated that characteristic discharge decreased post-dam construction, with significant spatial variations along the river. The study provides valuable insights for assessing the channel-forming capacity of flow-sediment regimes worldwide and predicting river morphology evolution.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoxia Bai, Qiang Xu, Hong Li, Cheng Cheng, Qiang He
Summary: This study reveals that damming of rivers alters the spatial distribution of carbon in sediments, leading to higher CH4 and CO2 concentrations upstream compared to downstream. During reservoir impounding periods, CH4 diffusive flux is higher upstream than downstream, while CH4 emissions are predominantly by ebullition, with significantly higher flux downstream during discharging periods. The increase in TOC in downstream sediment is attributed to riparian zone soil erosion caused by water level fluctuations.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinren Ni, Haizhen Wang, Tao Ma, Rong Huang, Philippe Ciais, Zhe Li, Yao Yue, Jinfeng Chen, Bin Li, Yuchun Wang, Maosheng Zheng, Ting Wang, Alistair G. L. Borthwick
Summary: This study finds that the Three Gorges Dam has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions along the Yangtze River, leading to a decrease in CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions and a reduction in emissions to the sea. These findings highlight the importance of whole-system budgeting of greenhouse gases under the influence of large dams.
NATIONAL SCIENCE REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qinqin Xu, Kun Zhou, Boran Wu
Summary: The dam construction in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) significantly impacted the geochemical behavior of trace metals, leading to elevated levels of toxic metals in the soil/sediment. The levels of trace metals, except chromium, were found to be higher than the background levels in both the TGR and China, indicating moderate to high contamination. After the full impoundment stage, most trace metals, except nickel and arsenic, showed a noticeable increase, suggesting the promotion of sediment adsorption effects by the dam construction. The spatial distribution of metal levels depended on sampling sites, with intensive human activities being the primary contributors. The main stream had higher concentrations of trace metals compared to tributaries, indicating greater metal pollution loads. The hydrological regime induced by damming played a critical role in redistributing trace metals through erosion and altering the physiochemical characteristics and vegetation coverage of soil/sediment. Submerged sediment acted as a major sink for trace metals with higher concentrations than in the water-level-fluctuating zone.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yule Wang, Li Chen, Jin Yuan, Yuchen Li, Chengguang Yang, Xiaohua He
Summary: The sediment regime in the middle Yangtze River has changed significantly after the impoundment of the Three Georges Reservoir. The vertical distribution of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) became more uneven in the downstream reaches under medium and low water flows due to the coarsening of sediment particle size, the reduction in sediment load, and the significant decrease in sediment saturation. The accuracy of the depth-average sediment concentrations calculated by different methods was evaluated, revealing that the selected-point method showed mainly positive relative errors before impoundment but mainly negative errors after impoundment.
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yu Qin, Qiong Tang, Lunhui Lu, Yuchun Wang, Irina Izaguirre, Zhe Li
Summary: This study investigated the temporal distribution patterns of bacterial communities in a transition section of the Three Gorges Reservoir, revealing that sediment bacteria dominate the reservoir microbial communities. Differences were found in bacterial diversity between water and sediment, with bacterioplankton communities showing greater sensitivity to monthly changes.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Laxmipriya Mohanty, Prashant Istalkar, Basudev Biswal
Summary: Understanding and modeling the dynamics of suspended sediment concentration (C) in river channels is crucial. The sediment rating curve that relates C with river discharge (Q) is a widely used approach due to its simplicity and effectiveness. However, the relationship between C and Q is not unique and changes over time. This study analyzes recession periods and proposes a model that can predict future suspended sediment concentration based on past data. The results emphasize the importance of recognizing the dynamic nature of the C-Q relationship.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Xuhai Yang, Zhaohua Sun, Yitian Li, Jinyun Deng, Haibin Xiong, Dongfeng Li
Summary: The downstream section of the middle Yangtze River has experienced rapid erosion in recent years due to the Three Gorges Dam, negatively impacting the stability of riverbanks, navigation waterways, and ecological functioning. This study analyzed flow and sediment data and river bathymetry data to investigate the mechanisms of bar adjustments in the post-dam period. The results show that stable bars with higher elevations and better vegetation coverage have experienced lateral erosion, while migrating bars with lower elevations have suffered severe surficial erosion and shrinkages.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Leihua Zhao, Pei Xin, Haifeng Cheng, Ao Chu
Summary: This study investigates the response of estuarine turbidity maxima (ETM) dynamics in the Yangtze Estuary (YE) to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) and morphological evolution. The results show that the TGD construction and estuarine morphological evolution have led to decreased ETM area and changes in location. The effects of TGD construction dominate the upper estuary, while the effects of the estuarine morphological evolution are dominant in the mid-lower estuary. These findings have important implications for the management of the YE and other similar estuaries.
CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kalpna Gahalaut, Rajesh Rekapalli
Summary: This article explores the role of reservoir impoundment in mobilizing nearby faults and increasing post-impoundment seismicity in the Three Gorges Reservoir region. The study finds that reservoir impoundment can induce shear failure on earthquake-causing faults, but other factors such as dissolution and reduced cohesion in the rock mass also contribute to the enhanced seismicity. The analysis suggests that fluid-assisted earthquakes and purely tectonic earthquakes both occur in the region, indicating that various factors play a significant role in post-impoundment seismicity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xueqin Liu, Qiangqiang Xu
Summary: The ecological impacts of hydropeaking on riverine ecosystems have not been well studied. Through research on the Three Gorges Dam, we found that hydropeaking significantly influenced the elevational distributions, assemblage structure, and species-specific biomass patterns of riverine plants. These findings highlight the importance of water level management in the conservation and restoration of riverine plants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoqing Song, Liang Emlyn Yang, Fangzhou Xia, Guosong Zhao, Jingwei Xiang, Juergen Scheffran
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhixin Hao, Danyang Xiong, Jingyun Zheng, Liang Emlyn Yang, Quansheng Ge
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Minh Tu Nguyen, Zita Sebesvari, Maxime Souvignet, Felix Bachofer, Andreas Braun, Matthias Garschagen, Ulrike Schinkel, Liang Emlyn Yang, Linh Hoang Khanh Nguyen, Volker Hochschild, Andre Assmann, Michael Hagenlocher
Summary: Vietnam faces various types of floods that lead to significant economic losses, infrastructure damage, and loss of lives. Existing flood risk assessments in the country lack clear definitions, tend to prioritize physical and environmental drivers over social, economic, and governance-related drivers, and often overlook vulnerability scenarios. Future research on flood risk in Vietnam should focus on addressing these gaps and engaging relevant stakeholders for more comprehensive risk assessments and solutions.
JOURNAL OF FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Tingting Ji, Hsi-Hsien Wei, Timothy Sim, Liang Emlyn Yang, Juergen Scheffran
Summary: This study conducts disaggregated empirical validation of nine disaster-resilience indicators' efficacy at explaining the resistant and recovery capacities of households in Hong Kong, revealing that certain indicators, such as education, income, and place attachment, have varying explanatory power across the two outcome measures. The researchers provide recommendations on indicator selection and index creation for those seeking to create parsimonious and robust sets of indicators that explain the actual resilience capacities of local communities.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liang Emlyn Yang, Junxu Chen, Jin Geng, Yiping Fang, Weibing Yang
Summary: This study used empirical analysis to investigate social resilience to major natural disasters along the Tea-Horse Road in southwest China. It found that natural disasters frequently occurred, but diverse coping strategies enabled social development to continue. Strong governance, infrastructure improvements, and social network collaboration were key factors in enhancing social resilience. The study also highlighted the importance of multiple resilience measures in maintaining social system resilience over long periods of time.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiong Chen, Liang Emlyn Yang, Jing Luo, Fenggui Liu, Yili Zhang, Qiang Zhou, Rong Guo, Xijing Gu
Summary: This study analyzed cropland changes in a typical agro-pastoral transition zone in northwestern China, revealing fluctuations in cropland areas due to regional climate, natural disasters, agriculture activities, and socio-economic development. Despite worsening conditions, three major coping strategies helped maintain and develop the local socio-agriculture system.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diyang Zhang, Xiuqi Fang, Liang Emlyn Yang
Summary: Historical land cover data form the basis for studying the environmental impacts of land use and land cover change. This study focused on the cropland cover changes in Germany over the past millennium and compared them to a global historical land use scenario. The findings suggest that introducing human indicators, such as settlement data, could enhance the accuracy of global-scale LUCC reconstructions.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lei He, Jilong Chen, Liang Emlyn Yang, Guosheng Li, Chengfang Lu
Summary: Poyang Lake in China has evolved significantly due to climate and human activities; there has been a gradual increase in water-related disasters over the past 2000 years; the adoption of ecological strategies is currently being used to mitigate flood and drought risks.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Faith Ka Shun Chan, Liang Emlyn Yang, Jurgen Scheffran, Gordon Mitchell, Olalekan Adekola, James Griffiths, Yangbo Chen, Gang Li, Xiaohui Lu, Yunfei Qi, Lei Li, Hao Zheng, Adrian McDonald
Summary: By the 2050s, over 120 million people are expected to settle in the Pearl River Delta, with rapid urbanization leading to increased flood risks in coastal cities. There is a need for long-term flood risk management practices and better regional strategies to address the challenges posed by urban floods and climate change.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yan Yu, Ya Wu, Pan Wang, Yili Zhang, Liang Emlyn Yang, Xian Cheng, Jianzhong Yan
Summary: Although the Grassland Ecological Protection Award Policy aims to reduce livestock numbers, its effectiveness is undermined by poor policy design and implementation at the local level. Subsidies could reduce livestock numbers for households with small grassland sizes but increase numbers for households with large grassland areas, suggesting the need for tailored supporting policies. This study's findings can inform governments on formulating appropriate subsidies to address grassland degradation.
Article
Geography
Qi Yi, Yuting Gao, Hongrong Du, Junxu Chen, Liang Emlyn Yang, Hongling Zhao
Summary: The expansion of artificial woodlands in China has significantly impacted regional land-cover changes and changes in the regional net primary productivity (NPP). Using Ximeng County in Yunnan Province as a case study, this research found a 10-fold increase in artificial woodlands, accounting for 93% of land cover transfer. NPP increased by 65.8x10(9) gC.yr(-1) from 2000 to 2015, with the most notable changes in NPP occurring in central and western border regions. The study highlights the importance of establishing regional plantations for increasing NPP, economic development, and ecological stability in mountain regions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yechennan Peng, Liang Emlyn Yang, Jurgen Scheffran, Jianzhong Yan, Ming Li, Ping Jiang, Yukuan Wang, Roger Cremades
Summary: The study examined the impact of livelihood transitions on rural households' carbon footprint in the Three Gorges Reservoir area in West China from 1978 to 2016. Findings showed a shift from agriculture to industry/commerce in livelihood strategies leading to significant changes in carbon footprint - from net carbon emission to net carbon sequestration. Recommendations include promoting voluntary farmland utilization, capital investments in agriculture mechanization, improving rural infrastructure, and continuing specialized policies like the Grain for Green policy.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qingqing Tang, Daming Tan, Yongyue Ji, Lingyun Yan, Sidong Zeng, Qiao Chen, Shengjun Wu, Jilong Chen
Summary: The dynamics of mid-channel bars in the Three Gorges Reservoir were significantly affected by water-level changes caused by the impoundments of the reservoir. The morphological changes of the mid-channel bars were investigated using Landsat remote sensing images, showing dramatic changes in number, area, and shape with water level fluctuations. Water impoundments led to a shift in the dominant area and a more even distribution of mid-channel bars in the reservoir.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yechennan Peng, Hossein Azadi, Liang (Emlyn) Yang, Jurgen Scheffran, Ping Jiang
Summary: This study provides a comparative overview of the regional siting potential of various low-carbon power plants in China's Yangtze River Delta. Using GIS-based hierarchical analysis, suitable zones for power plants are identified and ranked. The results show that biomass power plants have high siting potential, while solar photovoltaic and waste-to-electricity are encouraged for future development.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yechennan Peng, Liang Emlyn Yang, Juergen Scheffran
Summary: This paper presents a life-cycle assessment framework for quantifying the carbon footprint of individual households based on detailed household survey data. The comprehensive framework covers eight specific living activities of rural households in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, allowing assessment of both carbon emissions and sequestrations. The framework enables a comprehensive and relatively precise assessment of carbon footprint at a household level, contributing to studies in carbon emission reduction, carbon neutrality, and climate policies.