Effects of Environmental Factors on NH_4^+ Release in Sediment from Chaohu Lake

[Objective] The aim of the research was to reveal the influence mechanism of sediment-water exchange of nutrients in Chaohu Lake. [Method] The effects of environmental factors (overlying water, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen concentration) on NH_4^+ release in sediment from Chaohu Lake were studied under controlled laboratory conditions. [Results] With the rising of temperature and the decrease of NH_4^+ concentration in overlying water, NH_4^+ released from sediment increased significantly. pH had a great effect on NH_4^+ release with a complicated mechanism. The largest release amount of NH_4^+ under anaerobic condition was about 6 times as much as that under aerobic condition. [Conclusion] This research would provide theoretical support for environmental management of Chaohu Lake in the project of leading water from the Yangtze River to Chaohu Lake.

Study on Nitrogen Forms in Chaohu Lake and Wabu Lake Sediments

Composition and distribution of nitrogen in Chaohu Lake and Wabu Lake sediments were studied.The results showed that the mean total nitrogen content in Chaohu Lake and Wabu Lake was 0.533 g/kg and 0.265 g/kg respectively,and the primary composition of nitrogen was organic nitrogen(94%).The organic index indicated that the organic pollution degree of Wabu Lake was lower than that of Chaohu Lake.

CAUSES AND CONTROL COUNTERMEASURES OF EUTROPHICATION IN CHAOHU LAKE, CHINA

Chaohu Lake, located in the central Anhui Province, is one of the five largest fresh lakes in China. Now it is one of the three most eutrophication lakes in China. The deterioration of its water quality has influenced the sustainable development of society, economy and environment of Hefei City, the capital of Anhui Province. A series of measures have been carried out to control its eutrophication, but it is still serious. On the basis of the lake water quality data from 1984 to 2003, the causes of the eutrophication of Chaohu Lake are analyzed. Studies indicated that the suitable natural conditions and human activities played a crucial role in the process of the eutrophication of Chaohu Lake. A great amount of industrial, agricultural and domestic sewage discharged into the lake is the main cause of eutrophication in the lake. Land use, soil erosion and shoreline collapse destroyed the watershed eco-environment and the terrestrial ecosystem of Chaohu Lake. And the building of Yuxi Gate extends the sluggish of the nutritious substance and speeds up the process of the eutrophication. From the view of systematic engineering and watershed ecology, a series of the countermeasures have been put forward to control the eutrophication.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Estuarine Surface Sediments of Tangxi River in Chaohu Lake Basin

A total of 30 surface sediments samples from the estuary wetland of the Tangxi River, Chaohu Lake Basin were obtained and tested. Enrichment factor （EF） and geoaccumulation index （Igeo） as well as multivariate statistical analysis methods including Factor Analysis （FA） and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis （HCA） were applied for the assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface sediments. The results of EF values show that the pollution of copper （Cu） and cadmium （Cd） occurs in the estuarine sediments, and that zinc （Zn）, lead （Pb） and chrome （Cr） may originate from crustal materials or natural weathering process. The mean EF values of the five heavy metals are in the decreasing order： Cu〉Cd）Zn〉Pb〉Cr. Based on the lgeo of target heavy metals, the surface sediments collected from the study area can be approximately categorized as unpolluted with Zn, Pb and Cr, and moderately polluted with Cu and Cd. The degree of heavy metal pollution decreases in the order of Cu〉Cd〉Zn〉Pb〉Cr. Three groups of pollution factors are presented from FA： Zn-TOC, Cu-Cd and Cr-Pb, which respectively accounte for 27.22%, 25.20% and 21.05% of variance. By means of HCA, a total number of seven groups are distinguished from 30 sampling sites. Results indicate that Cu and Cd are the prior controlled pollutants in the estuarine sediments of the Tangxi River.

Characteristics and Effects of Inorganic Nitrogen in East Water-source and Inflow Rivers of Chaohu Lake

[Objective] To study the characteristics and effects of inorganic nitrogen in east water-source and inflow rivers of Chaohu Lake. [Method] The speciation and distribution characteristics of dissolvable inorganic nitrogen （DIN） in east water-source and inflow rivers of Chaohu Lake were investigated, and their effects on water qual- ity were examined. [Result] The concentrations of NH3-N and NO2--N were the high in flood season, and low in non-flood season, while the concentration of NO3--N pre- sented the opposite trend; the concentration of NO3--N was the highest in Shuangqiao estuary, where the pollution was the worst. DIN in Zhegao estuary and Xiaozhegao estuary was mainly caused by domestic sewage and industrial wastewaters; surface runoff and pollution from ships contribute the most to the DIN content in Shuangqiao estuary. [Conclusion] This study provided basic data and theoretical basis for the control and management of eutrophication in Chaohu Lake.

Forecast of Flood in Chaohu Lake Basin of China Based on Grey-Markov Theory

Flood is one kind of unexpected and the most common natural disasters, which is affected by many factors and has complex mechanism. At home and abroad, there is still no mature theory and method used for the long-term forecast of natural precipitation at present. In the present paper the disadvantages of grey GM (1, 1) and Markov chain are ana- lyzed, and Grey-Markov forecast theory about flood is put forward and then the modifying model is developed by making prediction of Chaohu Lake basin. Hydrological law was conducted based on the theoretical forecasts by grey system GM (1, 1) forecast model with improved Markov chain. The above method contained Stat-analysis, embodying scientific approach, precise forecast and its reliable results.

On the horizontal distribution of algal-bloom in Chaohu Lake and its formation process

Based on the remote sensing images of algae, the present work analyzes the horizontal distribution characteristics of algal blooms in Chaohu Lake, China, which also reveals the frequency of algal blooms under different wind directions. Further, an unstructured-grid, three-dimensional finite-volume coastal ocean model （FVCOM） is applied to investigate the wind-induced currents and the transport pro- cess to explain the reason why algal blooms occur at the detected places. We first deduce the primary distribution of biomass from overlaid satellite images, and explain the formation mechanism by analyzing the pollution sources, and simulating the flow field and transportation process under prevailing wind over Chaohu Lake. And then, we consider the adjustment action of the wind on the corresponding day and develop a two-time scale approach to describe the whole formation process of algae horizontal distribution in Chaohu Lake. That is, on the longer time scale, i.e., during bloom season, prevailing wind determines the primary distribution of biomass by inducing the characteristic flow field; on the shorter time scale, i.e., on the day when bloom occurs, the wind force adjusts the primary distribution of biomass to form the final distribution of algal bloom.

Dynamic Assessment on Regional Eco-environmental Quality Using AHP-Statistics Model—A Case Study of Chaohu Lake Basin

An indicator system closely connected with eco-environment, in which indicator involves in such fields as society, economy, resources, environment and ecology, is first proposed for eco-environmental quality assessment. Then, a hierarchical model with four levels is established by virtue of these indicators and attributes. In the model, weights of indicators and attributes are determined by combining Delphi method with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and a statistic method is used to eliminate the influences arising from the differences in dimension and magnitude of indicators. On these grounds, an AHP-statistics model is provided for regional eco-environmental quality assessment. As a case, such AHP-statistics model is utilized in the dynamic analysis of regional eco-environmental assessment in Chaohu Lake basin. Study results show that natural environmental quality in the watershed was in the declining state while social environmental quality was in a markedly improved situation from 1996, and the synthetic eco-environmental quality was gradually and slowly improved under the common influences of both natural and social environmental factors. Example of application testified the capacities of above methodology to evaluate the real and dynamic state of regional eco-environmental quality.

CAUSES AND COUNTERMEASURES FOR CHAOHU LAKESHORE COLLAPSE

By interpreting the remote sensing data of aerial photos and satellite images in different time, combining with field investigation, landform and water level observation, collecting data of weather, hydrology in Chaohu Lake, Anhui Province from 1957 to 2003, the reasons for collapse of Chaohu lakeshore were analyzed. The results are as follows: 1) The collapse of the Chaohu lakeshore is controlled macroscopically by two sets of north-east and the north-west faults, and the degree of collapse is determined microcosmically by lithology. 2) The constant change of water level, resulting from precipitation, wind speed and its direction, is one of the main reasons for intermittence collapse. 3) The soil and water loss or mud and sand filling up, resulting from artificial factors, such as inconsequence control of Chaohu sluice or irrational agricultural and industrial activities, etc., can uplift the lake′s bed and drive water level up. The high water level also results in the collapse. Judging from the above mentioned reasons for the collapse, we have proposed some countermeasures: 1) Putting the lakeshore slope protection project such as stone and cement mortar into practice, and upstream slope should be 1∶2.5 or 1∶3, some parts of them should be 1∶4, if they were not stable. The back slope, which is from Gui Mountain to Zhongmiao Temple, should be 1∶1.5-1∶3. 2) Constructing a greenbelt for the lakeshore, planting some vegetation such as osier, bulrush and poplar, to resist waves between the high and the low water level. 3) Controlling Chaohu Lake water level scientifically. Corrosion of lakeshore that contains gravel clay and ferruginous-manganese concretionary structures, can decrease at low water level. 4) Renovating Chaohu Lake drainage area, strengthening the administration and supervision, breaking regionalism and establishing special administration organization.

A niche model to predict Microcystis bloom decline in Chaohu Lake, China

Cyanobacterial blooms occur frequently in lakes due to eutrophication. Although a number of models have been proposed to forecast algal blooms, a good and applicable method is still lacking. This study explored a simple and effective mathematical-ecological model to evaluate the growth status and predict the population dynamics of Microcystis blooms. In this study, phytoplankton were collected and identified from 8 sampling sites in Chaohu Lake every month from July to October, 2010. The niche breadth and niche overlap of common species were calculated using standard equations, and the potential relative growth rates of Microcystis were calculated as a weighted-value of niche overlap. In July, the potential relative growth rate was 2.79 (a.u., arbitrary units) but then rapidly declined in the following months to -3.99 a.u. in September. A significant correlation (R=0.998, P<0.01) was found in the model between the net-increase in biomass of Microcystis in the field and the predicted values calculated by the niche model, we concluded that the niche model is suitable for forecasting the dynamics of Microcystis blooms. Redundancy analysis indicated that decreases in water temperature, dissolved oxygen and total dissolved phosphorus might be major factors underlying bloom decline. Based on the theory of community succession being caused by resource competition, the growth and decline of blooms can be predicted from a community structure. This may provide a basis for early warning and control of algal blooms.

Spatial Distribution of Archaeological Sites in Lakeshore of Chaohu Lake in China Based on GIS

There are about 19 Neolithic Age sites and 120 Shang-Zhou dynasties sites in the western lakeshore of Chaohu Lake,Anhui Province,China.Based on sites data,topographic data,drainage maps,administrative maps and SPOT5 remote sensing data,spatial analysis methods were introduced into the archaeology of Chaohu Lake Basin with Geographic Information System(GIS).The spatial analysis methods include:1) Point Density Analysis with density model to acquire the shift of the sites;2) Distance Analysis to reveal the spatial structure of the sites;3) 3D Analysis based on Digital Elevation Model to get micro-geomorphologic features of the sites;and 4) Buffer Analysis to discover the relationship between the sites and rivers.The results indicate that the archaeological sites spread from the western lakeshore of Chaohu Lake gradually to the northwest,later to the south,and then symmetrically spread.Controlled by productive forces and other factors,ancient people preferred to reside in those places near water,or in plain and fertile land,which resulted in linear and decentralized distribution of the sites,and presented such disciplines as river valley directivity,terrace directivity and soil directivity.This paper indicates that the distribution of archaeological sites was influenced earlier by natural elements and later by human elements in the study period.The research is important for the integration of GIS and archaeology.

The impact of the accumulation of algal blooms on reed wetlands in the littoral zones of Chaohu Lake

In a large eutrophic lake,the littoral zone is normally an area with high-density elevated aquatic plant life,including algal blooms,where the presence of reed wetlands allows the accumulation of algae.In this study,the impact of accumulated algal blooms in reed wetlands in the littoral zone s of Chaohu Lake was investigated seasonally from 2018 to 2019.The concentrations of chlorophyll a(Chl a),total nitrogen(TN),and total phosphorus(TP)were much higher in the reed-covered littoral zones(RCLZ)than in the unvegetated littoral zones(ULZ),indicating that more algal biomass was trapped and accumulated in the RCLZ.Algal biomass could be horizontally transported to downwind littoral zones under low wind speeds,favoring the establishment of blooms.Algal accumulation levels were highest in summer due to high water temperatures and algal biomasses.Likewise,the northern littoral zones were conducive to the development of large algal blooms because of the wind pattern.The values of TN,TP,Chl a,and loss on ignition in surface sediments were higher in the RCLZ than in the ULZ.Moreover,the diffusive fluxes of ammonium and soluble reactive pho sphorus were also higher in the RCLZ than in the ULZ.Considering the capability of reed wetlands to trap algae,mechanical salvage and other physical methods should be adopted to eliminate algal biomass when massive blooms accumulate in the RCLZ.

General Thinkingon the Management of Blue Algae Outbreak in the Taihu Lake,the Chaohu Lake and the Dianchi Lake

Among the Chinese lakes with the problem of eutrophication, the Taihu Lake, the Chaohu Lake and the Dianchi Lake have the worst cases of blue algae outbreak, which happen every year. Other lakes also have problems of blue algae outbreak at various degrees. However, some lakes don＇t have such problems. Practices have shown that through comprehensive management, the problem can be basically eliminated or significantly alleviated. ＂Water bloom＂ and blue algae outbreak have different connotation. The major factors affecting blue algae outbreak are sources of pollutants and ecological environment. Experiences are summed up and a new thinking on its management is developed： resolving the problem of blue algae is fundamental to lake management and development goals should be clearly set forth so as to eventually build a healthy aquatic ecosys- tem. The problem of blue algae can＇t be fully tackled by solely relying on the management of eutrophication but only by combining efforts of reducing the amount of blue algae and the management of eutrophication. The number of reduced blue algae should be larger than that of naturally prolifera- ted algae so as to alleviate and eliminate the problem of blue algae outbreak. Various engineering and technical measures and relevant protective procedures should be carried out in a scientific and proper manner. The total amount of nitrogen and phosphorous entering the lake either from point-source or non-point source pollution should be substantially reduced. Controlling the source of pollution and intercepting pollutants are the bas- ic measures. Wastewater treatment plant is the largest point source pollution in the future and adequate plants should be built with improved emission standards. Meanwhile, other measures including fishing out blue algae, diverting water, dredging, ecological restoration and expanding reed zone, should be implemented to alleviate the problem of eutrophication and eventually eliminate the problem of blue algae outbreak.

Analysis of Pollution Sources and Countermeasures against Water Pollution in a Small River Basin of Chaohu Lake——A Case Study of the Shiwulihe River

The Shiwulihe River, the inflow river of Chaohu Lake in Hefei City, was taken as an example. Based on the current status of water quali- ty and analysis of pollution sources in the Shiwulihe River, countermeasures and suggestions of controlling water pollution were proposed to provide effective ways for the control of water pollution and restoration of aquatic ecosystem in the Shiwulihe River and other similar rivers flowing into lakes.

Regional eco-environmental analysis of Yuxi River-Chaohu Lake

Yuxi River-Chaohu Lake water suffers greatly from the ecological problems of eutrophication, high turbidity, organic pollution, disappearance of littoral macrophyte, bank erosion and reduction of economic fishery products. With Micro-cystis dominant, it is a degenerated and weak ecosystem. Its vicious cycling is caused by too much nutrient load, high spring water level and improper management of the water. The point sources of pollution from cities and industries contribute more than 50% of nutrient load. Soil erosion and fertilizer loss from late rice fields are important factors in non-point nutrient load. The disappearing littoral zone can neither give enough protection for the bank nor provide proper habitats for the biota. The feasibility of ' ecological water level proposal' and means to reduce nutrient load are discussed to improve the habitat environment for both the nature and human being.

Inference of Reference Conditions for Nutrient Concentrations of Chaohu Lake Based on Model Extrapolation

In the mid-eastern China,there are few or no lakes which are in the absence of anthropogenic disturbances,or their sediments remain undisturbed.As a result,the reference lakes distribution and paleolimnological reconstruction approaches usually are inappropriate to estimate lake reference conditions for nutrients.This yields the necessity of using the extrapolation methods to estimate the lake reference conditions for nutrients within those regions.The lake reference conditions for nutrients could be inferred inversely from the law of mass conservation,current lake nutrient concentration,and the loadings from watershed.Considering the scarcity of hydrological and water quality data associated with lakes and watersheds in China,as well as the low requirement of the watershed nutrient loadings models for these data,the soil conservation service(SCS) distributed hydrological model and the universal soil loss equation(USLE) were applied.The SCS model simulates the runoff process of the watershed,thereby calculating dissolved nutrients annually.The USLE estimates the soil erosion and particulate nutrients annually in a watershed.Then,with the loadings from atmospheric deposition and point source,the previous annual average nutrient concentrations could be acquired given the current nutrient concentrations in a lake.Therefore,the nutrient reference conditions minimally impacted by human activities could be estimated.Based on the proposed model,the reference conditions for total nitrogen and total phosphorus of Chaohu Lake,Anhui Province,China are 0.031 mg/L and 0.640 mg/L,respectively.The proposed reference conditions estimation model is of clear physical concept,and less data required.Thus,the proposed approach can be used in other lakes with similar circumstances.

Study on Biodiversity Conservation of Wetlands around the Chaohu Lake

There are many types of wetlands around the Chaohu Lake,and wetland biodiversity is rich. The protection of wetland biodiversity is of great significance for regional sustainable development. In this paper,the wetlands around the Chaohu Lake are taken as the research objects. Based on the investigation and analysis of the biodiversity in the wetlands,combing the threats to the biodiversity of the wetland around the Chaohu Lake at the present stage,the biodiversity protection countermeasures of the wetlands around the Chaohu Lake are put forward.

Current Situation and Comprehensive Control Measures of Water Environment in the Chaohu Lake

Based on the analysis of current situation of water environment in the Chaohu Lake,general ideas and measures of controlling the water environment were proposed. In respect of control ideas,controlling outbreaks of blue-green algae should be as one of control goals; it is needed to combine reducing the quantity of blue-green algae with decreasing eutrophication level to make the decrease in the quantity of blue-green algae larger than their natural increase until outbreaks of blue-green algae are eliminated; all kinds of techniques should be combined closely,integrated and innovated,and corresponding safeguard measures should be adopted. In respect of control measures,controlling sources of pollution and intercepting pollutants are basic measures,of which improving sewage treatment capacity and standard greatly is a key measure,and actively controlling pollution from large-scale livestock and poultry breeding is one of main measures; rivers polluted heavily should be controlled,and using microorganisms to purify small and moderate rivers can be as one of preferred techniques; blue-green algae should be dredged deeply to reducing their quantity; water should be transferred from the Yangtze River to the Chaohu Lake or the Hauihe River to purify water bodies and increase environmental capacity; reed wetland should be restored on a large scale to increase vegetation coverage from 5% to 20%; dredging should be combined with the elevation of basement of restored reed wetland.

Simulation of denitrification in groundwater from Chaohu Lake Catchment,China

The eutrophication of Chaohu Lake in China is mainly attributed to nitrate inflow from non-point sources in the lake catchment. In this study,biological nitrate reduction from groundwater in the Chaohu Lake Catchment was investigated under laboratory conditions in a continuous upflow reactor. Sodium acetate served as the carbon source and electron donor. Results showed that a carbon-to-nitrogen(C/N) molar ratio of 3:1 and hydraulic retention time(HRT) of 8 d could achieve the most rapid nitrate nitrogen(NO_3^--N) depletion(from 100 mg/L to 1 mg/L within120 h). This rate was confirmed when field groundwater was tested in the reactor, in which a NO_3^--N removal rate of 97.71% was achieved(from60.35 mg/L to 1.38 mg/L within 120 h). Different levels of the initial NO_3^--N concentration(30, 50, 70, and 100 mg/L) showed observable influence on the denitrification rates, with an overall average NO_3^--N removal efficiency of 98.25% at 120 h. Nitrite nitrogen(NO_2^--N)accumulated in the initial 12 h, and then kept decreasing, until it reached 0.0254 mg/L at 120 h. Compared with the initial value, there was a slight accumulation of 0.04 mg/L for the ammonia nitrogen(NH4-N) concentration in the effluent, which is, however, less than the limit value.These results can provide a reference for evaluating performance of denitrification in situ.

Transmutation of ancient settlements and environmental changes between 6000-2000 aBP in the Chaohu Lake Basin, East China

Based on the temporal-spatial distribution features of ancient settlement sites from the middle and late Neolithic Age to the Han dynasty in the Chaohu Lake Basin of Anhui Province, East China, using the methods of GIS combined with the reconstructed paleoen- vironment by the records of lake sediment since Holocene, the transmutation of ancient set- tlements with response to environmental changes in this area has been discussed. Studies show that the main feature of transmutation of ancient settlements from the middle and late Neolithic Age to the Han Dynasty was that the distribution of settlements in this area changed from high altitudes to low ones and kept approaching the Chaohu Lake with the passage of time. These could be the response to the climate change from warm-moist to a relatively warm-dry condition during the middle Holocene, leading to the lake level fluctuations. The large area of exposed land provided enough space for human activities. These indicate that the above changes in geomorphologic evolution and hydrology influenced by climate condi- tions affected the transmutation of ancient settlements greatly. The distribution pattern of settlement sites was that the number of sites in the west was more than in the east. This pattern may be related to the geomorphologic conditions such as frequent channel shifting of the Yangtze River as well as flood disasters during the Holocene optimum. Therefore, climate change was the inducement of the transmutation of ancient settlements in the Chaohu Lake Basin, which exerted great influence on the distribution, expansion and development of the ancient settlements.