89
8
Eutrophication in the Great Lakes of
the Chinese Pacific Drainage Basin:
Changes, Trends, and Management
William Y. B. Chang
W. Y. B. Chang ()
Office of International Science and Engineering,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd,
Arlington, VA 22230, USA
e-mail: wychang@nsf.gov
Abstract
China has 25 of the world’s great lakes (> 500 km
2
). This number of great lakes is exceeded
only by Canada and Russia. Tectonic uplift and fluvial actions are the primary mechanisms resulting in the formation of these lakes. Long-term climate changes have significant impacts on these lakes, especially in terms of: (1) lake size and depth and (2) chemical characteristics. In recent years, the increased temperature has also led to the onset of
the blue-green alga Microsysti in the Pacific Drainage Basin (PDB). Over the most recent
40 years, human activities have had a visible effect on the large lakes situated in the humandominated PDB. Large lakes in this basin have become depositories of agricultural, industrial, and household wastes and have shown an increased level of eutrophication and toxic
chemical accumulation. These great lakes have changed from oligotrophic in the 1960s, to
eutrophic in the 1980s, and to hypereutrophic in the 1990s, with increased occurrence of
blue-green Microsysti blooms. These blooms have become serious concerns for water supplies and the health of people and aquatic ecosystems.
Continuing disposal of untreated domestic and industrial wastes has contributed to this
change. Lake management practices, such as dams and weirs for flood control and extensive use of littoral area and wetland for farming, aquaculture, and home construction, have
also contributed to the acceleration of this process.
With its enormous population and increasing use of large lakes, China needs to integrate
its lake management programs and to plan for sustainable use of its aquatic resources. The
management plan should take into consideration the environmental costs of development
and the ecological service that the lakes provide. The reduction or recycling of wastes by
industries needs to be closely controlled. The involvement of average citizens in decisions
in environmental planning and lake management is another key to the success of managing
these important water bodies.
Keywords
Eutrophication · Great lakes · Water quality · Management
8.1 Introduction
China is the most populous country in the world and ranks
third in territory. Lakes account for more than 80,000 km
2
.
It has 25 of the world’s great lakes with a total area reaching
over 30,000 km
2
. These lakes have been used extensively
A. A. Ansari, S. S. Gill (eds.), Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-7814-6_8, © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014
8
Eutrophication in the Great Lakes of
the Chinese Pacific Drainage Basin:
Changes, Trends, and Management
William Y. B. Chang
W. Y. B. Chang ()
Office of International Science and Engineering,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd,
Arlington, VA 22230, USA
e-mail: wychang@nsf.gov
Abstract
China has 25 of the world’s great lakes (> 500 km
2
). This number of great lakes is exceeded
only by Canada and Russia. Tectonic uplift and fluvial actions are the primary mechanisms resulting in the formation of these lakes. Long-term climate changes have significant impacts on these lakes, especially in terms of: (1) lake size and depth and (2) chemical characteristics. In recent years, the increased temperature has also led to the onset of
the blue-green alga Microsysti in the Pacific Drainage Basin (PDB). Over the most recent
40 years, human activities have had a visible effect on the large lakes situated in the humandominated PDB. Large lakes in this basin have become depositories of agricultural, industrial, and household wastes and have shown an increased level of eutrophication and toxic
chemical accumulation. These great lakes have changed from oligotrophic in the 1960s, to
eutrophic in the 1980s, and to hypereutrophic in the 1990s, with increased occurrence of
blue-green Microsysti blooms. These blooms have become serious concerns for water supplies and the health of people and aquatic ecosystems.
Continuing disposal of untreated domestic and industrial wastes has contributed to this
change. Lake management practices, such as dams and weirs for flood control and extensive use of littoral area and wetland for farming, aquaculture, and home construction, have
also contributed to the acceleration of this process.
With its enormous population and increasing use of large lakes, China needs to integrate
its lake management programs and to plan for sustainable use of its aquatic resources. The
management plan should take into consideration the environmental costs of development
and the ecological service that the lakes provide. The reduction or recycling of wastes by
industries needs to be closely controlled. The involvement of average citizens in decisions
in environmental planning and lake management is another key to the success of managing
these important water bodies.
Keywords
Eutrophication · Great lakes · Water quality · Management
8.1 Introduction
China is the most populous country in the world and ranks
third in territory. Lakes account for more than 80,000 km
2
.
It has 25 of the world’s great lakes with a total area reaching
over 30,000 km
2
. These lakes have been used extensively
A. A. Ansari, S. S. Gill (eds.), Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-7814-6_8, © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014