Eutrophication of Lake Waters in China: Cost, Causes, and Control

Abstract

Lake water eutrophication has become one of the most important factors impeding sustainable economic development in China. Knowledge of the current status of lake water eutrophication and determination of its mechanism are prerequisites to devising a sound solution to the problem. Based on reviewing the literature, this paper elaborates on the evolutional process and current state of shallow inland lake water eutrophication in China. The mechanism of lake water eutrophication is explored from nutrient sources. In light of the identified mechanism strategies are proposed to control and tackle lake water eutrophication. This review reveals that water eutrophication in most lakes was initiated in the 1980s when the national economy underwent rapid development. At present, the problem of water eutrophication is still serious, with frequent occurrence of damaging algal blooms, which have disrupted the normal supply of drinking water in shore cities. Each destructive bloom caused a direct economic loss valued at billions of yuan. Nonpoint pollution sources, namely, waste discharge from agricultural fields and nutrients released from floor deposits, are identified as the two major sources of nitrogen and phosphorus. Therefore, all control and rehabilitation measures of lake water eutrophication should target these nutrient sources. Biological measures are recommended to rehabilitate eutrophied lake waters and restore the lake ecosystem in order to bring the problem under control.

Evaluating anthropogenic N inputs to diverse lake basins: A case study of three Chinese lakes

“…The 1980s are considered to be a turning point in the water quality of most freshwater lakes in China (Le et al 2010). Before then, industrial and agricultural production were in their primary stages with a limited effect on water quality.…”

“…Lake Taihu, Lake Chaohu, and Lake Dianchi each had water quality acceptable for drinking water before the 1980s; however, they have degraded rapidly over the last 30 years, especially for TN and TP (Pan and Gao 2010;Frumin and Khuan 2012). Water pollution in these lakes has caused billions of dollars in economic loss and impeded social stability (Le et al 2010). Based on multiple-year averages, riverine TN exports from watersheds to Lake Taihu ( 2007), Lake Chaohu (1999, and Lake Dianchi (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010) are 1396, 824, and 3053 kg km -2 year -1 , respectively ; The 10th five year plan for water pollution control in Lake Chaohu basin; Integrated measures for water environmental repair in Lake Taihu basin 2013; Gao et al 2014).…”

“…The latest lake survey found that 2693 natural lakes in China with an area of over 1.0 km 2 occupy *0.9 % of the country's territory (Ma et al 2011). For larger lakes over 10 km 2 in area, freshwater lakes make up 35 % of the total lake area, and have an average depth of approximately 2 m. Before the 1980s, most freshwater lakes had relatively good water quality and were eligible for drinking (Le et al 2010). However, since China's rapid economic development in the 1980s, human-induced nutrient inputs have increased substantially (Han et al 2013(Han et al , 2014, and a majority of freshwater lakes have experienced a substantial reduction in water quality and ecosystem functionality (Gao and Zhang 2010;Liu et al 2012).…”

“…However, since China's rapid economic development in the 1980s, human-induced nutrient inputs have increased substantially (Han et al 2013(Han et al , 2014, and a majority of freshwater lakes have experienced a substantial reduction in water quality and ecosystem functionality (Gao and Zhang 2010;Liu et al 2012). One common problem for most lakes is elevated levels of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and other organic pollutant concentrations, which are mainly caused by expanding populations and agricultural fertilizer inputs (Le et al 2010).…”

An integrated approach for early warning of water stress in shallow lakes: a case study in Lake Baiyangdian, North China

“…First, shallow lakes in China are generally located in densely populated areas with a high demand for water resources. The strong exchange between lake water and sediment usually leads to relatively slow deposition, and thus a sensitive pollution response, making them more prone to eutrophication (Le et al 2010, Cooke et al 2011. Second, as a typical developing country, China has many lakes that collectively comprise an area of 91,000 km 2 (0.95% of the country); most are rather shallow and located in arid or semi-arid regions (Wang and Dou 1998).…”