Fossil Association from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges Area,Hubei,South China

Apart from previously reported Small Shelly Fossils （SSFs）, a macroscopic fossil assemblage, comprising abundant algae, cone-shaped tubular fossil forms, and probable impressions of a megascopic metazoan, comes from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area of western Hubei Province, south China. The visible fossils are preserved in thinlaminated siltstone or muddy siltstone intercalated between 8-15 ram-thick carbonate deposits, probably representing sedimentary settings of a constrained local depression in the shallow water carbonate platform during the Early Cambrian Meishucunian Stage. The macroscopic fossil association provides significant fossil evidence about the evolution of life from the late Precambrian to the ＇Cambrian explosion＇ interval.

Acanthomorph Biostratigraphic Succession of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in the East Yangtze Gorges,South China

Large acanthomorphic acritarchs have been found in chert of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation at several localities in South China, including the East Yangtze Gorges of Hubei Province,Weng＇an area of Guizhou Province, and elsewhere. However, their potential for biostratigraphic subdivision and correlation of Ediacaran successions is limited by facies control, taphonomic biases,and taxonomic problems. In the Yangtze Gorges, the Doushantuo Formation is generally subdivided into four lithologic members. However, in the Weng＇an area, the Doushantuo Formation comprises just a lower and upper part separated by a mid-Doushantuo erosional surface. In the Yangtze Gorges at the Zhangcunping section, the Doushantuo succession is similar to that at Weng＇an. So far, the correlation between the Yangtze Gorges and Weng＇an area, and elsewhere has been an issue of debate. To resolvethe debate, we selected eight sections in the Yangtze Gorges area and systemically sampled chert nodules of the Doushantuo Formation, focusing in particular on the upper Doushantuo Formation. Our data confirm two different assemblages appearing separately in the second and third members, which are separated by a negative δ13C excursion （EN2）. The lower assemblage is characterized by Tianzhushania and a diverse suite of large acanthomorphic acritarchs. The upper assemblage is distinguished from the lower assemblage, by （1） absence of Tianzhushania; （2） occurrence of abundant,100-150 μm, smooth-walled spherical microfossils; （3） occurrence of highly diverse acanthomorphic acritarchs including species extending from the second member and new forms in this member; （4）occurrence of unnamed new forms of protist; and （5） occurrence of the tubular microfossil Sinocyclocylicus guizhouensis. Since the Tianzhushania-dominated assemblage is not present in Australia, it seems that only the upper acanthomorph assemblage is present and thus the lower Doushantuo acanthomorph assemblage is missing in Australia.

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..

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.

The Shizikou Gravitational Gliding Structure in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

A study has been made about the structural attribute of the NNW-trendingShizikou linear image belt in the head area of the reservoir of the Yangtze River Gorges and theevaluation of its crustal stability. On the basis of regional geological surveys and by making astructural analysis and a multidisciplinary study, it has been ascertained that the segment withthe best displayed image characteristics is marked by a gravity gliding structure with a multilay-er gliding fold type architecture. This paper also analyzes the medium conditions, slope struc-ture and dynamic setting for the formation of the structure system.

REMOTE SESING INVESTIGATION AND APPRAISAL OF LAND USE AND CAPACITY IN THE REGION OF THE YANGTZE RIVER GORGES’PROJECT

The region around the Three Gorges project on the Yangtze River has an area of 62552 square kilometres and population of 20.14 million. It limits a range hetween the sorth-north watersheds and from Yichang of Hubei Province to Jiangjin of Sichuan, including 24 cities and counties-Chongjing, Yichang and Wanxian etc. In this region, relief are mainly hills and middle-low mountains. Remote censing investigation and appraisal of land use and capacity which are two of the major restrict factors for the Three Gorges project have provided related scientific bases for macro-dicision-making of the project.

Building the Three Gorges Project for the Chinese Nation—An Interview with General Manager Lu Youmei, China Yangtze River Three Gorges Project Development Corporation

The Yangtze River has nurtured the fertile land on both its banks and hundreds of millions of Chinese people. but its raging waters have also wreaked havoc on the people living in its reaches. Since the founding of New China, large-scale surveys, planning, scientific research and feasibility studies have been carried out in an effort to harness the

Three Gorges Project on Yangtze River

The Three Gorges Project on the Yangtze River was started in December 1994. It is the largest water conservancy and hydropower project in the present world with a comprehensive result of flood prevention, generating and navigation. The reservoir can hold 22.2 billion cubic metres of water, thus being able to cut the flood flow of 27, 000 to 33, 000 cubic metres per second. Its hydropower station will have a total generating equipment capacity of 18.2 million kw with an annual generating quantity of 84.7 billion kwh to supply energy for the economic development of east China, central China and