How does Three Gorges Dam regulate heavy metal footprints in the largest freshwater lake of China. (1st January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Hua; Yuan, Weihao; Zeng, Yichuan; Liang, Dongfang; Deng, Yanqing; Zhang, Xinyue; Li, Yuanyuan
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 292:Part A(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01-01
• Subjects: Poyang Lake -- Three Gorges Dam -- Particle tracking -- Heavy metal -- Footprint; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118313
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Herein, a two-dimensional (2-D) vertically-averaged hydrodynamic model was applied to study the heavy metal particle footprints pre- and post-Three Gorges Dam (TGD) in Poyang Lake. Two defined indexes-Reserve Impact Index ( σ R I I ) and Species Impact Index ( η S I I ) were applied to assess the potential impact of the copper footprint on nature reserves and sensitive species quantitatively. The results demonstrated that the movement speed, distribution, and trajectory of copper particle footprints differed enormously pre- and post-TGD. By contrast, the post-TGD footprints were more complex because of the dam-induced variations in hydrology and meteorology. TGD had both pros and cons for the copper footprint on the reserves based on the results of σ R I I . It had changed the way for the transport of heavy metals and altered the patterns of exposure risk in the reserves. Sustainable management of Poyang Lake could be achieved by optimizing daily monitoring works. The η S I I for Finless Porpoises do not differ significantly between scenarios, but the η S I I for Siberian White Cranes increased by 0.92 and 0.83 for the two periods pre- and post-TGD, respectively. Heavy metals in food sources and the excreta of Siberian White Cranes could be of great concern in future studies. This study provides a theoretical basis for the in-depth study of the TGD-induced impact on Poyang Lake and provides a reference for the long-term treatment of Poyang Lake and the protection of key species. Highlights: Analysis and comparison of Cu footprints between pre- and post-TGD period. TGD regulates Cu footprints in terms of speed, distribution, and trajectory. Two defined parameters σRII and ηSII are used to quantify the impact of footprints. TGD altered the exposure risk patterns in nature reserves and sensitive species. Modified sampling frequency and multi-directional study are needed for HM control.