Long-Term Performance and Microstructural Characterization of Dam Concrete in the Three Gorges Project

This study investigates the long-term performance of laboratory dam concrete in different curing environments over ten years and the microstructure of 17-year-old laboratory concrete and actual concrete cores drilled from the Three Gorges Dam.The mechanical properties of the laboratory dam concrete,whether cured in natural or standard environments,continued to improve over time.Furthermore,the laboratory dam concrete exhibited good resistance to diffusion and a refined microstructure after 17 years.However,curing and long-term exposure to the local natural environment reduced the frost resistance.Microstructural analyses of the laboratory concrete samples demonstrated that moderate-heat cement and fine fly ash(FA)particles were almost fully hydrated to form compact micro structures consisting of large quantities of homogeneous calcium(alumino)silicate hydrate(C-(A)-S-H)gels and a few crystals.No obvious interfacial transition zones were observed in the microstructure owing to the longterm pozzolanic reaction.This dense and homogenous microstructure was the crucial reason for the excellent long-term performance of the dam concrete.A high FA volume also played a significant role in the microstructural densification and performance growth of dam concrete at a later age.The concrete drilled from the dam surface exhibited a loose microstructure with higher microporosity,indicating that concrete directly exposed to the actual service environment suffered degradation caused by water and wind attacks.In this study,both macro-performance and microstructural analyses revealed that the application of moderate-heat cement and FA resulted in a dense and homogenous microstructure,which ensured the excellent long-term performance of concrete from the Three Gorges Dam after 17 years.Long-term exposure to an actual service environment may lead to microstructural degradation of the concrete surface.Therefore,the retained long-term dam concrete samples need to be further researched to better understand its microstructural evolution and development of its properties.

Characteristics and influencing mechanisms of production-living-ecological space dynamics in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area(TGRA),Chongqing,China

The Three Gorges Reservoir Area(TGRA)is an important ecological barrier in the Yangtze River Basin,China.Therefore,it is of great importance to understand the spatio-temporal variation and the driving factors of production-living-ecological spaces for sustainable and high-quality development in the TGRA.This study investigated the dynamic variation of production-living-ecological spaces in the TGRA by employing land use data in 2000,2005,2010,2015,and 2018,and detected the influencing factors by using the Geographic detector(GeoDetector).Results implied that the structure and dynamic trajectories of production-living-ecological spaces in the TGRA varied in both horizontal and vertical directions,and the study area was dominated by ecological space.A spatial orientation towards the northeast was detected in the evolution of production-living-ecological spaces during 2000-2018.In terms of quantity,the transition from ecological space(grassland and woodland)to agriculture land accounted for the largest proportion from 2000 to 2018.However,the reverse transition from agriculture land to ecological space has increased since 2000 with the efforts of“Grain for Green”.In terms of temporal scale,there was a fluctuating trend in production space with the continuous expansion of living space,while ecological space showed an inverted U-shaped trend during 2000-2018.The dynamic pattern of production-living-ecological spaces in the TGRA was influenced by both physical and socio-economic variables as basic determinants and dominant driving factors,respectively.Finally,the harmonization and protection of production-living-ecological spaces still require policy-makers’efforts.This work may have potential in advancing our understanding about land use conflicts,and provide a reference for rational layout of spatial functions and the realization of sustainable development in the TGRA.

Climate,Ecosystem and Migration:The Three Gorges Dam Study

The Three Gorges Dam,known as one of the biggest project items throughout the history,is a milestone for the development of China.Since it was completed in 2006,the dam has been persistently supplying ample electricity to the southern and eastern part of China.Despite its impressive output and benefits notwithstanding,we have to objectively pay our attention to the long-term impact that the Three Gorges Dam leaves to the place where we live,especially the influence on the climate,the ecosystem and the migration pattern of the reservoir area.

Review of the Relocation of General Zhang Fei’s Temple in View of the Three Gorges Dam Project

As a national cultural property,General Zhang Fei’s Temple is the largest ancient architectural complex in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River.It was built in the Han Dynasty and has a long history of nearly 2,000 years.In 1994,the Chinese government launched the Three Gorges Dam project at the Yangtze River and implemented the largest relocation project for the General Zhang Fei Temple to prevent it from being submerged.The temple was relocated 32 kilometers upstream along with the local people of Yunyang County,and the historic environment was rebuilt on the opposite side of the migrant city of New Yunyang County.The temple was restored successfully and the tradition of offering sacrifices to General Zhang Fei continued in the local community.The relocation project lasted for 8 years and became the largest cultural heritage conservation project of the People’s Republic of China at the end of the 20th century.This paper comprehensively summarizes and reviews the project goals,implementation process,and project highlights of this relocation,so as to provide an important case reference for heritage conservation projects in the future.

Diversity of microbial plankton across the Three Gorges Dam of the Yangtze River,China

The Three Gorges Dam （TGD） of the Yangtze River, China, is one of the largest irrigation and hydroelectric engineering projects in the world. The effects of huge man-made projects like TGD on fauna and macrophyte are obvious, mainly through changes of water dynamics and flow pattern; however, it is less clear how microorganisms respond to such changes. This research was aimed to examine differences in microbial diversity at different seasons and locations （in front of and behind the TGD）. In addition, differences between particle-attached and free-living communities were also examined. The community structures of total and potentially active microorganisms in the water columns behind and in front of the TGD were analyzed with the DNA- and RNA-based 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic approaches over three different seasons. Clone libraries of 16S rRNA genes were prepared after ampli- fication from extracted DNA and, for some samples, after preparing cDNA from extracted rRNA. Differ- ences were observed between sites at different seasons and between free-living and particle-attached communities. Both bacterial and archaeal communities were more diverse in summer than in winter, due to higher nutrient levels and warmer temperature in summer than in winter. Particle-attached micro- organisms were more diverse than free-living communities, possibly because of higher nutrient levels and heterogeneous geochemical micro-environments in particles. Spatial variations in bacterial community structure were observed, i.e., the water reservoir behind the TGD （upstream） hosted more diverse bacte- rial populations than in front of the dam （downstream）, because of diverse sources of sediments and waters from upstream to the reservoir. These results have important implications for our understanding of responses of microbial communities to environmental changes in river ecosystems affected by dam construction.

Influence of the Three Gorges Dam on schistosomiasis control in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River

This paper summarizes the factors affecting schistosomiasis transmission in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River before and after the completion of the Three Gorges Dam and analyzes schistosomiasis prevalence trends to provide a basis for the application of the Three Gorges project methodologies in other areas.The Three Gorges Dam has demonstrated a positive effect on schistosomiasis control.Hubei,Hunan,Jiangxi,Anhui,and Jiangsu in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are currently regions with a high prevalence of schistosomiasis.These five provinces contained 97.62% of known snail areas and 93.66% of calculated schistosomiasis cases with 90.07% of counties (cities,districts) not yet meeting the criteria for schistosomiasis transmission interruption by the end of 2016.After the Three Gorges Dam was built,the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River decreased.By the end of 2016,the estimated number of cases decreased by 92.75% and the snail habitat areas decreased by 6.56% compared to 2004.No acute schistosomiasis cases have occurred for two consecutive years since 2015.

Chemical element transfer of weathering granite regolith in the Three Gorges Dam region of Yangtze River

Clearing up sediment and regolith on the foundation of the dam in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River in 1999, riverbed were exposed. On the basis of weathering granite regolith sampled from different portions of the valley landforms, by analysing total chemical contents with X rays fluorescent slice and calculating proper value of chemical element transferring ratio and intensity, the transferring law of chemical elements in different portions of the landforms were concluded: 1) In various landforms of the river valley, the process of desilication is not distinct; 2) in weathering granite regolith of riverbed, easy soluble CaO and MgO are relatively enriched whereas Al2O3 tends to decrease. The enriching rate of Fe2O3 is the greatest in various landforms of the river valley; 3) in weathering granite regolith of flood-plain, K2O and MgO contents are relatively enriched; 4) the weathering granite regolith of valley slope is a typical north subtropical weathering regolith, and its chemical weathering degree is in the transition phase from early to middle period; and 5) there is an opposite layer where K2O is relatively leaching and Na2O relatively enriching in 6.5 m depth of all weathering granite regolith.

Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on reproduction of four major Chinese carps species in the middle reaches of the Changjiang River

Silver carp(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix),bighead carp(Aristichthys nobilis),grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella),and black carp(Mylopharyngodon piceus) are the four major Chinese carps and are commercially important aquaculture species in China.Reproduction of these carp has declined since the construction of the Three Gorges Dam(TGD) due to an altered water flow and thermal regime in the Changjiang(Yangtze) River.However,details of the changes in reproduction of the four species are not well understood.To assess the impact of the TGD on reproduction of the four carp,we investigated their eggs and larvae at Yidu City,which is 80 km below the TGD,during 2005-2012.We examined differences in larval abundance of the four species in the Jianli section(350 km downstream of the TGD) before(1997-2002)and after(2003-2012) construction of the TGD.Based on these observations,the first spawning date of the four species was delayed a mean of about 25 days after the dam was constructed.Mean egg abundance in the Yidu section of the river was 249 million and mean larval abundance was 464 million,which were significant decreases since the 1980 s.Moreover,larval abundance in the Jianli section after the dam was constructed was significantly lower than that before construction(ANCOVA,P<0.05).The observed larval abundance accounted for only 24.66%of the predicted value in 2003 when the dam was first inundated.The present spawning grounds between the TGD and Yidu section of the river are very similar to those described in the 1980 s,and some spawning grounds exist upstream of the TGD.Large free-flowing stretches upstream of the TGD and the creation of artificially flooded downstream reaches are needed to stimulate spawning and effectively conserve these four major Chinese carps species.

Potential impacts of Three Gorges Dam in China on the ecosystem of East China Sea

The Changjiang River in China was dammed in 2003. The possible changes in matters fluxes from the river downstream after the completion of Three Gorges Dam and their potential impacts on the ecosystem of the East China Sea are discussed . The estuarine and coastal waters in the East China Sea were heavily fertilized by the inflow of nutrient-rich freshwater from the Changjiang River, which has led to severe eutrophication and frequent harmful algal blooms ,thus worsening the ecosystem health in this area. Analy- sis showed that the nutrient loadings are very likely to be reduced in the lower Changjiang River due to the construction of Three Gorges Dam. Especially for the total phosphorus, the discharges to the East China Sea will be reduced by one-third, which would relieve the severe eutrophication in this area. However, the expected decrease in the riverine silicate discharge would lead the ratio of silicon to nitrogen to be much less than 1 in the estuarine and coastal waters and thus may cause an elevation of flagellate growth. The changes in the annual water discharges and their seasonal distributions below the dam will be minor. Reduction of suspended particulate matter loading, due to the sedimentation behind the dam, will reduce the nutrient loadings of the particulate form especially for phosphorus, and decrease the turbidity of estuarine and coastal waters. On the other hand, this may enhance the erosion of the delta and the coasts as well as modifythe benthic ecosystem.

Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on the spawning stock and natural reproduction of Chinese sturgeon in the Changjiang River,China

Chinese sturgeon(Acipenser sinensis) is the flagship species of the Changjiang River.The migration route of this species is blocked by the first dam,the Gezhou Dam,and its reproduction is affected by the Three Gorges Dam(TGD),one of the largest dams in the world.We studied the impact of the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir(TGR) since 2003 on the spawning stock and the natural reproduction of the Chinese sturgeon by using our monitoring data from 1997 to 2013.Results indicate that TGR impoundment has delayed the first spawning dates of the fish from middle-late October to late November,decreased the amount of spawning activities from twice to only once each year,and significantly reduced egg production.In particular,the fish did not demonstrate any spawning activities in 2013.Therefore,TGR impoundment significantly affects the natural reproduction of the fish downstream of the TGD.The spawning stock size of the fish is also predicted to further decrease in the future,which will lead to a risk of population extinction.Ecological regulations must be imposed on decreasing the water temperature to 20℃before mid-October and increasing water discharge downstream of the TGD in October to induce spawning of the Chinese sturgeon.

Provenance Study of Fe–Ti Oxide Minerals in the Quaternary Sediments in Yichang Area and Its Implication of Formation Time of the Yangtze Three Gorges, China

The Three Gorges are considered to be critical to understand the formation of Yangtze River. Recent research results suggest that the Yangtze Three Gorges was created during the Quaternary but the exact time is debatable. Fe-Ti oxide minerals are seldom used to study sediment provenance, expecially using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and energy dispersive spectrometer （EDS）. In this study, the provenance of Quaternary sediments in Yichang area, which is located to the east of the Yangtze Three Gorges, was investigated by using SEM and EDS to research Fe-Ti oxides. The Panzhihua vanadium titanomagnetite and Emeishan basalt outcrop are located to the west of the Three Gorges. Further, the materials from them are observed in the Quaternary sediments of Yichang area. Fe-Ti oxide minerals from the Huangling granite are observed in the Yunchi and Shanxiyao Formations, which were formed before 0.75 Ma B.P., whereas Fe-Ti oxide minerals from the Huangling granite, Panzhihua vanadium titanomagnetite, and Emeishan basalt are observed in the riverbed and fifth-terrace sediments of the Yangtze River, which were formed after 0.73 Ma B.P.. Thus, we can infer that the Three Gorges formed after the deposition of the Shanxi Formation and before the fifth-terrace; i.e., 0.75-0.73 Ma B.P..

Synchronous response of sedimentary organic carbon accumulation on the inner shelf of the East China Sea to the water impoundment of Three Gorges and Gezhouba Dams

Coastal seas,located between continents and the open ocean,are an important active carbon pool.The sedimentary total organic carbon(TOC)in these areas is a mixture of terrestrial and marine sources,and can be a powerful proxy for tracing natural processes and human activities.In this study,one fine-grained sediment core(DH5-1) from the inner shelf of the East China Sea was systematically analyzed for TOC and black carbon(BC) contents and TOC stable carbon isotope ratios(d13 C).By combining these data with 210~Pb dating,an improved carbon correction model and a two end-member mixing model,we reconstructed century-scale high-resolution sequences of corrected TOC,terrestrial TOC and marine TOC contents and identified two carbon depletion events in the DH5-1 record.The two events,shown as two minima in the TOC profiles,correspond temporally to 1985-1987 AD and 2003-2006 AD,which exactly matches the water impoundment of the Gezhouba Dam and Three Gorges Dam,respectively.In addition,the variations in TOC contents and δ^(13)C values before,during or after the minima demonstrate a relationship between the depletion events and water impoundment of the dams on the Changjiang River.The TOC reductions may represent synchronous responses of sedimentary TOC and resultant ecological ef fects on the inner shelf of the East China Sea to the water impoundment of the dams.These new TOC records reflect the interaction between natural and anthropogenic processes and,accordingly,provide a deep insight and important references for assessing marine ecological ef fects resulting from water impoundment of largescale dams.

Malaria Transmission Potential in the Three Gorges Reservoir of the Yangtze River, China

Objective To define and evaluate the malaria transmission potential in the Yangtze River, following construction of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Methods Six villages, namely, Kaixian, Fengjie, Wanzhou, Fuling, Yubei, and Zigui were selected for investigating the malaria transmission potential in the reservoir. Transmission potential was estimated by mathematical modeling and evaluation of the local malaria situation. Factors that influenced the transmission potential were analyzed using Poisson regression analysis in combination with Grey Systematic Theory （based on evaluation by the Delphi method）. Results Indirect fluorescent antibody data and the incidence of malaria in the local population were consistent with the malaria transmission potential calculated for the area. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between the riparian zone and the man‐biting rate. Conclusion The risk of a malaria epidemic can be forecasted using the malaria transmission potential parameters investigated here which was closely correlated with the riparian zone.

Dynamic Analysis of Deformational Structures of the Xianniishan Fault Zone in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

Field investigation and laboratory work reveal that inhomogeneity of the deformation of the Xiannushan fault is mainly characterized by lateral zonation, longitudinal segmentation and downward stratification. Based on these results, a 3-D deformational structure model of the fault was established and its geometrical and kinematic characteristics in two main deformational stages i.e. the main Yanshanian and Himalayan were discussed. The directions of principal and the differential stresses in these two stages were determined by using conjugate joints, striations of fault planes and microstructures of the fault zone. The direction of σI is N-S in direction with differential stresses of 150-250 MPa in the Yanshanian, and N70E with a differential stress ranging from 80-120 MPa in the Himalayan.

Climate observation of the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River in 2019

2019年,长江三峡地区年平均气温17.5℃,较常年偏高0.3℃;冬季偏冷,春,夏,秋三季气温均偏高;年高温日数偏多.2019年三峡地区年降水量1035.1毫米,较常年偏少13%;四季降水均偏少;年暴雨日数偏少.2019年,长江三峡地区年平均风速较常年偏大;年平均相对湿度接近常年;酸雨强度弱,为1999年以来的最弱年,近十余年酸雨强度呈现明显的减弱趋势.2019年,长江三峡地区高温过程多,持续时间长;三峡中东部地区出现伏秋连旱;华西秋雨开始早,三峡中西部雨量多.

State of the climate over the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River in 2018

2018年长江三峡地区气温较常年偏高,降水量接近常年,暴雨日数少,风速偏大,相对湿度接近常年,酸雨弱。年内高温出现早,持续时间长,强度大;夏季出现阶段性伏旱;暴雨和强降水引发城市内涝。

Three Gorges Dam Controls Sediment Coarsening of the Mud Patch on the Inner East China Sea Shelf

The well-known Three Gorges Dam(TGD) within the Yangtze catchment launched its operation in 2003. The effect of the TGD operation on the sediment size on the East China Sea shelf is rarely known. High resolution(0.5 cm sampling) grain size analysis and 137 Cs and 210 Pb dating of the DH8-1 core were conducted with core collected from the distal part of a main sink for the modern Yangtze sediment entering the sea, the Min-Zhe Coastal Mud Deposits(MZCMD) on the inner East China Sea shelf. The 137 Cs dating results show that the core DH8-1 formed during 1946–2012 with a mean deposition rate of 0.65 cm yr^(-1), indicating that the 0.5 cm sampling for grain size analysis in this local area could reflect environmental changes generally on a one-year time scale. The mean grain size of DH8-1 core sediment that deposited after 2003 is significantly larger than that deposited during 1988–2002. After ruling out other possible factors, we infer that the sediment coarsening of DH8-1 core after 2003 is attributed to the TGD operation which causes the erosion of the Yangtze subaqueous delta. Specifically, the TGD operation significantly intensifies the declining trend of the Yangtze sediment loads to the sea despite no decreased water discharge, which results in extensive erosion of the Yangtze subaqueous delta. The relatively coarse sediment of the subaqueous delta is eroded and resuspended by ocean dynamics and then transported by coastal current, finally depositing on the MZCMD area. In addition, the general sediment fining of core DH8-1 that deposited during 1988–2002, comparing with 1946–1987, is mainly caused by dam construction and soil and water conservation within the Yangtze catchment. Our findings are helpful for better understanding the effects of such a huge dam as the TGD on a sediment sink like the MZCMD of such a large river as the Yangtze River.

State of the climate in the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River basin in 2020

2020年,长江三峡地区年平均气温17.2℃,接近常年;年平均降水量1530.8毫米,偏多29%,为1961年以来第二多,仅次于1998年.6月,7月降水量及年平均暴雨日数均为1961年以来第二多.平均风速较常年偏大;相对湿度略偏高;各月均无酸雨出现,近十余年酸雨强度呈现明显减弱趋势.2020年,三峡地区夏季暴雨洪涝灾害重.分析表明,冷空气频繁南下与西南暖湿水汽丰沛是造成三峡地区6–7月降水异常偏多的直接原因.2020年春季以来,印度洋海温持续偏暖导致西北太平洋副热带高压持续偏强偏南可能是造成6–7月长江流域气候异常的重要原因.

Filling of the Three Gorges Reservoir to the 135-m Level: Instant Effects on the Yangtze Discharge and Suspended Sediment Concentration Entering the Estuary

Via the valuable opportunity of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) 135-m filling in June 2003, the Yangtze discharge and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) entering the estuary during the period from 15 May to 15 July 2003 were analyzed to examine the instant effects of the filling on them. The Yangtze discharge and SSC entering the estuary in the periods before, during and after the filling clearly indicated three phases: 1) the pre-storage phase characterized by natural conditions, in which the SSC increased with increasing water discharge; 2) the storage phase, during which the SSC decreased dramatically with decreasing water discharge; and 3) the post-storage phase, during which both the SSC and water discharge remained at relatively low levels first until the end of June, then the SSC increased gradually with increasing water discharge. It seems that the times for the instant effects of the decreasing discharge downstream from the upper Yangtze on the Yangtze discharge and SSC entering the estuary due to the TGR 135-m filling to take place were about 5 d and 1 d respectively, while both were about 18 d for those of the increasing discharge. This probably reflects the buffering and resultantly hysteresis of the 1800-km stretch from the upper Yangtze to the estuary. The results are helpful for scientific and hydrological investigation of the Yangtze mainstream downstream from the TGR Dam and of the estuarine and adjacent coastal waters.