Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zheng Gong, Dongdong Zhai, Jing Chen, Bei Liu, Tianshun Zhu
Summary: Unraveling the drivers that shape landscape genetics can provide a scientific basis for wildlife conservation and habitat management. In this study, the spatial genetic structure and determining factors of Schizopygopsis younghusbandi, a coldwater fish on the Tibetan Plateau, were explored using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The results showed high genetic diversity in higher, colder, and drier areas, and genetic differentiation among geographical populations. The Isolation-by-Environment model explained the genetic structure, with elevation and bioclimatic factors influencing population differentiation. Separate conservation units should be established, with special attention given to marginal populations with lower genetic variation.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jun-Wen Zhang, Ya-Ni Yan, Zhi-Qi Zhao, Xiao-Dong Li, Jian-Yang Guo, Hu Ding, Li-Feng Cui, Jun-Lun Meng, Cong-Qiang Liu
Summary: The study found significant spatiotemporal variations in dissolved arsenic levels in the Yarlung Tsangpo River system in the Tibetan Plateau, with higher levels in the upper reaches and lower levels in tributaries. Arsenic likely originates from geothermal water and weathering of arsenic-containing rocks and minerals, with conservative transport in the main channel and relatively non-conservative behavior in tributaries.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yufei Bao, Mingming Hu, Shanze Li, Yuchun Wang, Jie Wen, Xinghua Wu, Meng Sun, Pengcheng Du
Summary: This study investigates the carbon flux in the Yarlung Tsangpo River on the Tibetan Plateau. The results show significant seasonal variation in CO2 emissions, with values of 597.12 +/- 292.63 μatm in the wet season and 368.72 +/- 123.50 μatm in the dry season. The river is a weak carbon source to the atmosphere and the pCO(2) and F (CO2) are lower compared to other global rivers, likely due to microbial activity and carbonate background. The Yarlung Tsangpo River serves as a pipeline for transporting weathered nutrients from the plateau to downstream areas.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Ya-Ni Yan, Jun-Wen Zhang, Wei Zhang, Gui-Shan Zhang, Jian-Yang Guo, Dong Zhang, Jie Wu, Zhi-Qi Zhao
Summary: Characterization of spatiotemporal variation of stable isotopes delta O-18 and delta D in surface water in the Yarlung Tsangpo River (YTR) Basin revealed that river water mainly originates from precipitation, with temporal variations influenced by season and spatial variations increasing gradually along with altitude and geographic position changes in tributaries.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Baosheng An, Weicai Wang, Wei Yang, Guangjian Wu, Yanhong Guo, Haifeng Zhu, Yang Gao, Ling Bai, Fan Zhang, Chen Zeng, Lei Wang, Jing Zhou, Xin Li, Jia Li, Zhijun Zhao, Yingying Chen, Jingshi Liu, Jiule Li, Zhongyan Wang, Wenfeng Chen, Tandong Yao
Summary: This study investigates the glacier collapse-induced disaster of river blocking on the Asian Water Towers in the context of a warming climate. It confirms the process and potential mechanisms of glacier collapse events, highlighting the importance of monitoring and early warning systems to mitigate such disasters in the future.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Peini Mao, Yongqiang Guo, Tao Liu
Summary: In this study, the sedimentary characteristics and ages of palaeoflood slackwater deposits (SWDs) in the Yarlung Tsangpo River were analyzed. The results indicate that the SWDs were deposited in shallow water and at lower velocity during high flood discharges. Two periods of palaeoflood events were identified, occurring 6.3-4.7 and 3.7-3.0 thousand years ago, which show consistency with the strengthened monsoon and glacier meltwater during the Middle and Late Holocene in the southern Tibetan Plateau.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sheng Liu, Peifang Wang, Xun Wang, Juan Chen
Summary: This study analyzed the biogeographical pattern of ARGs along the pristine Yarlung Tsangpo River on the Tibetan Plateau using metagenomics approaches, revealing the distribution characteristics of ARGs at different elevations. The study found that bacA, resistant to bacitracin, dominated the ARGs in the pristine river, and elevational gradients could influence the assembly processes of ARGs.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Wenfang Zhang, Jinglu Wu, Shuie Zhan, Baotian Pan, Yue Cai
Summary: Loess-like deposits and soils are extensively distributed in the Yarlung Tsangpo River catchment in southern Tibetan Plateau. Sediments are mainly sourced from local felsic bedrocks, with varying levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and cesium depending on climate conditions. The current relatively wet and warm climate has only led to incipient chemical weathering of surface sediments in the lower reach of the river.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Yuyang Wu, Hongwei Fang, Guojian He, Lei Huang, Jianyu Wang
Summary: This study combines hydrological and 2-D hydrodynamic numerical modelling to provide a better representation of water resources and wetland dynamics in the Yarlung Tsangpo River basin in High Asia, showing significant impacts of climate change. Temperature exhibits a significant upward trend, while precipitation variations differ, resulting in noticeable differences in runoff changes in different areas.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiqian Wen, Linsheng Yang, Hongqiang Gong, Jiangping Yu, Binggan Wei, Shengcheng Zhao, Dan Tu, Shuhui Yin, Ting Wang
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the concentration, distribution, source, and health risk of thallium (Tl) and associated metal(loid)s in hot springs and surface water in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin (YTRB). The results showed that except for Tl and Arsenic (As), the trace elements were within recommended limits. The study also identified spatial variations of Tl and As and identified natural sources of certain metals and anthropogenic inputs of others.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Chenni Zhou, Mo Li, Lu Liu, Fangjie Zhao, Wenfeng Cong, Fusuo Zhang
Summary: The Tibetan regional diet is influenced by various factors including geography, traditions, and taboos. A study of dietary patterns among Tibetan adults living along the Yarlung Tsangpo River found imbalances in food intake and a transition towards Han Chinese and outsourced diets. The study identified four distinct dietary patterns associated with different demographics.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Fei Liu, Mingzheng Li, Jian Wang, Zheng Gong, Meng Liu, Huanzhang Liu, Pengcheng Lin
Summary: This study investigated the fish fauna of the Yarlung Zangbo River, revealing significant spatial changes in fish assemblages along the river. The study identified two sitegroups separated by the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, characterized by different fish species compositions based on their locations. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that altitude, channel width, and macroinvertebrate density were the main environmental factors determining the spatial distribution of fish assemblages.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenjing Liu, Hao Jiang, Xiao Guo, Yuanchuan Li, Zhifang Xu
Summary: The study in the Tibetan Plateau revealed the significant correlation between nitrate (NO3-) flux and discharge, indicating the presence of a potential NO3- source counteracting the diluting effects during the rainy season. Soil sources were found to be the primary contributors to NO3- flux, with significant seasonal variations driven by hydrological conditions. A conceptual model integrating anthropogenic and climatic factors was proposed to classify NO3- export mechanisms into transport-limited and generation-limited regimes.
Article
Fisheries
Zheng Gong, Lin Chen, Jian Wang, Huanzhang Liu
Summary: The reproductive characteristics of the endemic labeonine fish, Garra tibetana, including early maturation, synchronous spawning, low fecundity, and large oocytes, were investigated. These characteristics explain the dominance of G. tibetana in its habitat and provide valuable information for management and conservation strategies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hai-Ping Hu, Jin-Hua Liu, Jin-Liang Feng, Chang-Sheng Ye, Zhi-Jun Gong, Feng Lv, Feng Chen, Liu-Qin Chen, Ding-Ding Du
Summary: This study investigated the sedimentary processes, dam failure, and peak flood of a palaeo-lake in Xigaze, Tibet. The capacity of the palaeo-lake was estimated to be 22.55 km(3), with a backwater volume of 10.99 km(3). The presence of another dammed palaeo-lake downstream and the protection of bedrock upstream limited the impact of the dam failure on downstream landforms.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
