Chemical and Isotopic Characteristics of the Water and Suspended Particulate Materials in the Yangtze River and Their Geological and Environmental Implications

The chemical and isotopic characteristics of the water and suspended particulate materials（SPM） in the Yangtze River were investigated on the samples collected from 25 hydrological monitoring stations in the mainsteam and 13 hydrological monitoring stations in the major tributaries during 2003 to 2007. The water samples show a large variation in both δD（ 30‰ to 112‰） and δ18O（ 3.8‰ to 15.4‰） values. Both δD and δ18O values show a decrease from the river head to the Jinsha Jiang section and then increase downstream to the river mouth. It is found that the oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of the Yangtze water are controlled by meteoric precipitation, evaporation, ice（and snow） melting and dam building. The Yangtze SPM concentrations show a large variation and are well corresponded to the spatial and temporal changes of flow speed, runoff and SPM supply, which are affected by the slope of the river bed, local precipitation rate, weathering intensity, erosion condition and anthropogenic activity. The Yangtze SPM consists of clay minerals, clastic silicate and carbonate minerals, heavy minerals, iron hydroxide and organic compounds. From the upper to lower reaches, the clay and clastic silicate components in SPM increase gradually, but the carbonate components decrease gradually, which may reflect changes of climate and weathering intensity in the drainage area. Compared to those of the upper crust rocks, the Yangtze SPM has lower contents of SiO2, CaO, K2 O and Na2 O and higher contents of TFe2 O3 and trace metals of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd. The ΣREE in the Yangtze SPM is also slightly higher than that of the upper crust. From the upper to lower reaches, the CaO and MgO contents in SPM decrease gradually, but the SiO2 content increases gradually, corresponding to the increase of clay minerals and decrease of the carbonates. The δ30SiSPM values（ 1.1‰ to 0.3‰） of the Yangtze SPM are similar to those of the average shale, but lower than those of the granite rocks（ 0.3‰ to 0.3‰）, reflecting the effect of silicon isotope fractionation in silicate weathering process. The δ30SiSPM values of the Yangtze SPM show a decreasing trend from the upper to the middle and lower reaches, responding to the variation of the clay content. The major anions of the river water are HCO 3, SO 4 2, Cl, NO 3, SiO 4 4 and F and the major cations include Ca2＋, Na＋, Mg2＋, K＋ and Sr2＋. The good correlation between HCO3-content and the content of Ca2＋may suggest that carbonate dissolution is the dominate contributor to the total dissolved solid（TDS） of the Yangtze River. Very good correlations are also found among contents of Cl, SO4 2, Na＋, Mg2＋, K＋and Sr2＋, indicating the important contribution of evaporite dissolution to the TDS of the Yangtze River. High TDS contents are generally found in the head water, reflecting a strong effect of evaporation in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. A small increase of the TDS is generally observed in the river mouth, indicating the influence of tidal intrusion. The F and NO3 contents show a clear increase trend from the upstream to downstream, reflecting the contribution of pesticides and fertilizers in the Chuan Jiang section and the middle and lower reaches. The DSi shows a decrease trend from the upstream to downstream, reflecting the effect of rice and grass growth along the Chuan Jiang section and the middle and lower reaches. The dissolved Cu, Zn and Cd in the Yangtze water are all higher than those in world large rivers, reflecting the effect of intensive mining activity along the Yangtze drainage area. The Yangtze water generally shows similar REE distribution pattern to the global shale. The δ30SiDiss values of the dissolved silicon vary from 0.5‰ to 3.7‰, which is the highest among those of the rivers studied. The δ30SiDiss values of the water in the Yangtze mainsteam show an increase trend from the upper stream to downstream. Its DSi and δ30SiDiss are influenced by multiple processes, such as weathering process, phytolith growth in plants, evaporation, phytolith dissolution, growth of fresh water diatom, adsorption and desorption of aqueous monosilicic acid on iron oxide, precipitation of silcretes and formation of clays coatings in aquifers, and human activity. The δ34SSO4 values of the Yangtze water range from 1.7‰ to 9.0‰. The SO4 in the Yangtze water are mainly from the SO4 in meteoric water, the dissolved sulfate from evaporite, and oxidation of sulfide in rocks, coal and ore deposits. The sulfate reduction and precipitation process can also affect the sulfur isotope composition of the Yangtze water. The87Sr/86Sr ratios of the Yangtze water range from 0.70823 to 0.71590, with an average value of 0.71084. The87Sr/86Sr ratio and Sr concentration are primary controlled by mixing of various sources with different87Sr/86Sr ratios and Sr contents, including the limestone, evaporite and the silicate rocks. The atmospheric precipitation and anthropogenic inputs can also contribute some Sr to the river. The δ11B values of the dissolved B in the Yangtze water range from 2.0‰ to 18.3‰, which is affected by multifactors, such as silicate weathering, carbonate weathering, evaporite dissolution, atmospheric deposition, and anthropogenic inputs.

Change of Annual Extreme Water Levels and Correlation with River Discharges in the Middle-lower Yangtze River: Characteristics and Possible Affecting Factors

As one of the fastest developing regions in China, the middle-lower Yangtze River （MLYR） is vulnerable to floods and droughts. With obtained time series of annual highest water level （HWL）, annual lowest water level （LWL） and the corresponding fiver discharges from three gauging stations in MLYR that covering the period 1987-2011, the current study evaluated the change character- istics of annual extreme water levels and the correlation with fiver discharges by using the methods of Vend test, Mann-Whitney-Pettitt （MWP） test and double mass analysis. Major result indicated a decreasing/increasing trend for annual HWL/LWL of all stations in MLYR during the study period. A change point in 1999 was identified for annual HWL at the Hankou and Datong stations. The year 2006 was found to be the critical year that the relationship between annual extreme water levels and fiver discharges changed in the MLYR. With contrast to annual LWL in MLYR, further investigation revealed that the change characteristics of annual HWL were highly consistent with regional precipitation in the Yangtze River Basin, while the linkage with Three Gorges Dam （TGD） operation is not strong. Our observation also pointed out that the effect of serious down cutting of the riverbed and the enlargement of the cross-section area during the initial period of TGD operation caused the downward trend of the relationship between annual LWL and river discharge. Whereas, the relatively raised river water level before the flood season due to TGD regulation since 2006 explained for the changing upward trend of the relationship between annual HWL and river discharge.

Artificial neural network modeling of water quality of the Yangtze River system:a case study in reaches crossing the city of Chongqing

An effective approach for describing complicated water quality processes is very important for river water quality management. We built two artificial neural network(ANN) models,a feed-forward back-propagation(BP) model and a radial basis function(RBF) model,to simulate the water quality of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers in reaches crossing the city of Chongqing,P. R. China. Our models used the historical monitoring data of biological oxygen demand,dissolved oxygen,ammonia,oil and volatile phenolic compounds. Comparison with the one-dimensional traditional water quality model suggest that both BP and RBF models are superior; their higher accuracy and better goodness-of-fit indicate that the ANN calculation of water quality agrees better with measurement. It is demonstrated that ANN modeling can be a tool for estimating the water quality of the Yangtze River. Of the two ANN models,the RBF model calculates with a smaller mean error,but a larger root mean square error. More effort to identify out the causes of these differences would help optimize the structures of neural network water-quality models.

An overview of the resources and environment conditions and major geological problems in the Yangtze River economic zone, China

Focusing on the Yangtze River economic zone,the previous geological researches are systematically summarized,resources and environment conditions and major geological problems which are needing to be concerned in land planning and construction are studied.The results show that the resource conditions of cultivated land,shale gas,geotherm,lithium and so on are superior in the Yangtze River economic zone,and the resources and environment conditions are conducive to develop the modern agriculture,clean energy industry and strategic emerging industries.3×1013 m^2 farmlands without heavy metal pollution are concentrated;there are three national level shale gas exploration and development bases with explored reserves of 5.441×1011 m^3;geothermal availability is 2.4×109 t of standard coal each year,equivalent to 19% of the amount of coal in 2014;Asia's largest energy lithium metal ore deposit is found.In some parts of Yangtze River economic zone,there are some major geological problems such as active faults,karst collapse,ground subsidence,landslide-collapse-debris flow,affecting the river-crossing channels,high-speed railway,urban agglomeration and green ecological corridor planning and construction.Those problems should be concerned,and the relevant suggestions and countermeasures are put forward.Meanwhile,the ideas to further support the development of the Yangtze River economic zone are put forward.

Impacts of climate change on glacial water resources and hydrological cycles in the Yangtze River source region,the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,China:A Progress Report

The Yangtze River Source Region has an area of 137,704 km2.Its mean annual runoff of 12.52 billion m3,which was recorded by the Chumda Hydrological Station in 1961–2000,accounts for only 0.13 percent of the Yangtze River's total annual streamflow.The extensive rivers,lakes,wetlands,glaciers,snow fields,and permafrost of the Yangtze River Source Region,as well as the region's vast alpine grasslands,play a critical role in storing and regulating the flow of water not only in the upper Yangtze River watershed of Qinghai,Sichuan,the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) (Tibet) and Yunnan,but also throughout the entire lower Yangtze River basin.Climate change has been the dominant factor in recent fluctuation in the volume of the Yangtze River Source Region's glacier resources.The Chumda Hydrological Station on the lower Tongtian River has registered a mean annual glacial meltwater of 1.13 billion m3 for the period 1961–2000,makes up 9 percent of the total annual runoff.Glacial meltwater makes up a significant percentage of streamflow in the Yangtze River Source Region,the major rivers of the upper Yangtze River Source Region:the Togto,Dam Chu,Garchu,and Bi Chu (Bu Chu) rivers all originate at large glaciers along the Tanggula Range.Glaciers in the Yangtze River Source Region are typical continental-type glaciers with most glacial meltwater flow occurring June–August;the close correlation between June–August river flows and temperature illustrates the important role of glacial meltwater in feeding rivers.Glaciers in the source region have undergone a long period of rapid ablation beginning in 1993.Examination of flow and temperature data for the 1961–2000 period shows that the annual melting period for glacial ice,snow,and frozen ground in the Yangtze River Source Region now begins earlier because of increasing spring temperatures,resulting in the reduction of summer flood season peak runoffs;meanwhile,increased rates of glacier ablation have resulted in more uneven annual distribution of runoff in the source region.The annual glacial meltwater runoff in the Yangtze River Source Region is projected to increase by 28.5 percent by 2050 over its 1970 value with the projected temperature increase of 2℃ and a precipitation increase of 29 mm.As a critical source of surface water for agriculture on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and beyond,the mass retreat of glaciers in the Yangtze River Source Region will have enormous negative impacts on farming and livestock-raising ac-tivities in upper Yangtze River watershed,as well as on the viability of present ecosystems and even socioeconomic development in the upper Yangtze River Basin.

Method and Practice on Water Function Division of the Yangtze River Region

Water function classification is to divide the waters in a basin or a region into different water function regions according to the natural features such as water resources condition, physical geographical location, environmental condition, etc. and social features such as the status quo of development and utilization, the requirement of social and economic development on water quantity and quality etc. Water function division has not ever been carried out in China and no ready-made theory and method can be complied with, in the meantime, it is a fundamental work with strong practical function. Therefore, the basic concept and theory foundation and research method are put forward on the base of summary of water resources management and developed and will be perfected in practice process of water function division. The Yangtze function zone covers the Yangtze river basin, the Lancang river basin and the rivers in the western area of the Lancang river in Southwest China. According to the technical outline of national water function division and combined with division practice of the Yangtze function zone, this paper presents the scope determination, procedure and method of water function division.

Turning mechanism problems of the Changjiang River diluted water

Some main ideas about the turning of the Changjiang River diluted water (CDW) and their deficiencies are reviewed in this paper. According to a large number of observation data it is pointed out that the turning phenomena of the CDW are related not only to the discharge of the Changjiang River but also to the sea surface slope and wind stress curl in the southeast coast of China. Exsistence of the sea surface slope reflects essentially the effect of the Taiwan Warm Currc (TWC) on the turning of the CDW.

Variations of Terrestrial Water Storage in the Yangtze River Basin under Climate Change Scenarios

In this study, the water balance-based Precipitation-Evapotranspiration-Runoff (PER) method combined with the land surface model Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) was used to estimate the spatiotemporal variations of terrestrial water storage (TWS) for two periods, 1982-2005 (baseline) and 2071-2100, under future climate scenarios A2 and B2 in the Yangtze River basin. The results show that the estimated TWS during the baseline period and under the two future climate scenarios have similar seasonal amplitudes of 60-70 mm. The higher values of TWS appear in June during the baseline period and under the B2 scenario, whereas the TWS under A2 shows two peaks in response to the related precipitation pattern. It also shows that the TWS is recharged from February to June during the baseline period, but it is replenished from March to June under the A2 and B2 scenarios. An analysis of the standard derivation of seasonal and interannual TWS time series under the three scenarios demonstrates that the seasonal TWS of the southeastern part of the Yangtze River basin varies remarkably and that the southeastern and central parts of the basin have higher variations in interannual TWS. With respect to the first mode of the Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF), the inverse-phase change in seasonal TWS mainly appears across the Guizhou-Sichuan-Shaanxi belt, and the entire basin generally represents a synchronous change in interannual TWS. As a whole, the TWS under A2 presents a larger seasonal variation whereas that under B2 displays a greater interannual variation. These results imply that climate change could trigger severe disasters in the southeastern and central parts of the basin.

Spatio-temporal variability of terrestrial water storage in the Yangtze River Basin: Response to climate changes

The Yangtze River Basin(YRB)is an important region for China's economic development.However,it has a complex terrain layout,most of which is affected by monsoon weather,and the geographical and temporal distribution of water resources is severely unbalanced.Therefore,the detailed analysis of spatio-temporal water mass changes is helpful to the development and rational utilization of water resources in the YRB.In this study,the variation of terrestrial water storage(TWS)is monitored by Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment(GRACE)satellite gravity.We find that the University of Texas Center for Space Research(CSR)solution shows a notable difference with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory(JPL)in space,but the general trend is consistent in time series.Then the GRACE inferred water mass variation reveals that the YRB has experienced several drought and flood events over the past two decades.Global Land Data Assimilation System(GLDAS)results are similar to GRACE.Furthermore,the overall precipitation trend tends to be stable in space,but it is greatly influenced by the strong El Nino-~Southern Oscillation(ENSO),which is the response to global climate change.The upper YRB is less affected by ENSO and shows a more stable water storage signal with respect to the lower YRB.

Analysis of the Synoptic Situation Field on the Red Tide Occurred in Yangtze River Estuary Water Area

The occurrence of the red tide is an extremely complex process, which is considered as the comprehensive result of various factors. The Yangtze River estuary water area is always in high incidence area of red tide. In this paper, according to the events of red tide and meteorologic and hydrologic data in Yangtze River estuary water area from 2000 to 2010, by using mathematical statistics methods, we analyze the relevance between the occurrence of the red tide and the synoptic situation field, and probe into the regular patterns.

The Relationship between Water Resources Use Efficiency and Scientific and Technological Innovation Level: Case Study of Yangtze River Basin in China

The Yangtze River Basin’s water resource utilization efficiency(WUE)and scientific and technological innovation level(STI)are closely connected,and the comprehension of these relationships will help to improve WUE and promote local economic growth and conservation of water.This study uses 19 provinces and regions along the Yangtze River’s mainstream from 2009 to 2019 as its research objects and uses a Vector Auto Regression(VAR)model to quantitatively evaluate the spatiotemporal evolution of the coupling coordination degree(CCD)between the two subsystems of WUE and STI.The findings show that:(1)Both the WUE and STI in the Yangtze River Basin showed an upward trend during the study period,but the STI effectively lagged behind the WUE;(2)The CCD of the two subsystems generally showed an upward trend,and the CCD of each province was improved to varying degrees,but the majority of regions did not develop a high-quality coordination stage;(3)The CCD of the two systems displayed apparent positive spatial autocorrelation in the spatial correlation pattern,and there were only two types:high-high(H-H)urbanization areas and low-low(L-L)urbanization areas;(4)The STI showed no obvious response to the impact of the WUE,while the WUE responded greatly to the STI,and both of them were highly dependent on themselves.Optimizing their interaction mechanisms should be the primary focus of high-quality development in the basin of the Yangtze River in the future.These results give the government an empirical basis to enhance the WUE and promote regional sustainable development.

Analysis of Water Quality of Yangtze River through Jiangsu Province

The Yangtze River flows through Jiangsu Province, bringing abundant water resources to people in this province. However, environmental pollution and destruction of vegetation in recent years have led to deterioration of water quality of the Yangtze, bringing about many bad effects on people’s life and production. Through a comprehensive analysis of water quality of the Yangtze River through Jiangsu Province, we investigated the reasons for the deterioration of its water quality, and explored countermeasure to maintain good water quality in the Yangtze with the objective to provide safe and reliable drinking water sources for people.

A numerical study on water diversion ratio of the Changjiang(Yangtze)estuary in dry season

We studied the flood, ebb and tidal averaged along (net) water diversion ratio (WDR) during dry season in the Changjiang (Yangtze) estuary, China, along with the effects of northerly wind, river discharge, tide and their interactions on WDR using the improved version of three-dimensional numerical model ECOM. Using data for annual mean wind speed and river discharge during January, we determined that the flood, ebb, net WDR values in the North Branch of the estuary were 3.48%, 1.68%,-4.06% during spring tide, and 4.82%, 2.34%,-2.79% during neap tide, respectively. Negative net WDR values denote the transport of water from the North Branch into the South Branch. Using the same data, the corresponding ratios were 50.09%, 50.92%, 54.97%, and 52.33%, 50.15%, 43.86% in the North Channel and 38.56%, 44.78%, 103.96%, and 36.92%, 43.17%, 60.97% in the North Passage, respectively. When northerly wind speed increased, landward Ekman transport was enhanced in the North Branch, increasing the flood WDR, while the ebb WDR declined and the net WDR exhibited a significant decrease. Similarly, in the North Channel, the flood WDR is increased, the ebb WDR reduced, and the net WDR showed a marked decrease. In the North Passage, the flood WDR also increased while the ebb and net WDR declined. As the river discharge increased, the flood and ebb WDR of the North Branch increased slightly and the net WDR increased markedly. In the North Channel the flood and ebb WDR changed very slightly, while the net WDR declined during spring tides and increased during neap tides. The WDR in the North Passage changed slightly during flood and ebb tides while the net WDR showed a marked increase. The WDR values of different bifurcations and the responses to northerly wind, river discharge, and tide are discussed in comparison with variations in river topography, horizontal wind-induced circulation, and tidal-induced residual current.

Changjiang River sediment delivering into the sea in response to water storage of Sanxia Reservoir in 2003

The Sanxia Reservoir on the Changjiang River stored water from 1 to 10 June and from 25 October to 5 November in 2003, elevating the water level to 135 and 139 m above mean sea level at the dam, respectively. A monthly dataset of water discharge, suspended sediment concentration （SSC） and sediment load of the Changjiang River from 1953 to 2003 measured at the Datong Hydrological Gauging Station of the downstreammost Changjiang River was mainly used to examine the Changjiang River sediment delivering into the sea in 2003 in response to the Sanxia Reservoir water storages in the same year. The results show that （1） compared with those in 2002, 2001, and the multi-yearly （1953-2000） average, both annual SSC and sediment load at Datong in 2003 were markedly reduced, and they were even smaller than the multi-yearly （1953-2000） minimum, although the annual runoff in 2003 did not change largely; and （2） compared with those in the corresponding months in 2002, 2001 and the multi-monthly average from 1953 to 2000, monthly SSC and sediment load at Datong both in June and November of 2003 were also markedly reduced, and those in June 2003 were even smaller than the multi-monthly minimum from 1953 to 2000. These may indicate that sediment sedimentation in the Sanxia Reservoir resulting from the Sanxia Reservoir water storage should be the main cause of the decreased annual and monthly SSC and sediment load of the Changjiang River into the sea in 2003. Besides, it seems that the Sanxia Reservoir water storage in the early June （flood season） of 2003 had more impacts on the decreased monthly SSC into the sea than that in the late October and early November （approximately non-flood season） of 2003.

Diagnosing anomalous characteristics of atmospheric water cycle structure during seasonal-scale drought events:A case study in middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River

Anomalous characteristics of the atmospheric water cycle structure are highly significant to the mechanisms of seasonal-scale meteorological droughts.They also play an important role in the identification of indicative predictors of droughts.To better understand the causes of seasonal meteorological droughts in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River(MLRYR),characteristics of the atmospheric water cycle structure at different drought stages were determined using standardized anomalies.The results showed that the total column water vapor(TCWV)was anomalously low during drought occurrence periods.In contrast,there were no anomalous signals at the drought persistence and recovery stages in the MLRYR.Moreover,there was no significant temporal correlation between the TCWV anomaly and seasonal-scale drought index(the 3-month standardized precipitation index(SPI_(3))).During drought events,water vapor that mainly originated from the Bay of Bengal was transported southwest of the MLRYR.Meanwhile,the anomalous signal of water vapor transport was negative at the drought appearance stage.At the drought persistence stage,the negative anomalous signal was the most significant.Water vapor flux divergence in the MLRYR showed significant positive anomalous signals during drought events,and the signal intensity shifted from an increasing to a decreasing trend at different drought stages.In addition,a significant positive correlation existed between the anomaly of water vapor flux divergence and regional SPI_(3).Overall,water vapor flux divergence is more predictive of droughts in the MLRYR.

Runoff variations in the Yangtze River Basin and sub-basins based on GRACE, hydrological models, and in-situ data

Water budget closure is a method used to study the balance of basin water storage and the dynamics of relevant hydrological components(e.g.,precipitation,evapotranspiration,and runoff).When water budget closure is connected with terrestrial water storage change(TWSC)estimated from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment(GRACE)data,variations in basin runoff can be understood comprehensively.In this study,total runoff variations in the Yangtze River Basin(YRB)and its sub-basins are examined in detail based on the water budget closure equation.We compare and combine mainstream precipitation and evapotranspiration models to determine the best estimate of precipitation minus evapotranspiration.In addition,we consider human water consumption,which has been neglected in earlier studies,and discuss its impact.To evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the combined hydrological models in estimating subsurface runoff,we collect discharge variations derived from in situ observations in the YRB and its sub-basins and compare these data with the models’final estimated runoff variations.The estimated runoff variations suggest that runoff over the YRB has been increasing,especially in the lower sub-basins and in the post-monsoon season,and is accompanied by apparent terrestrial water loss.

Distribution, characteristics, and research status of microplastics in the trunk stream and main lakes of the Yangtze River: A review

Microplastic pollution has become an environmental issue of great concern owing to the persistence of microplastics and their potential adverse effects on biota.The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third-longest river in the world,and the microplastics in this river will affect the health of a large population living along with it.To ensure the survival safety of people,it is essential to plan ahead and investigate in advance in order to understand the microplastic pollution in the river and work out countermeasures.This paper reviews the literature concerning the microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River basin and analyzes the abundance,shapes,colors,and composition of microplastics in the water bodies and sediments in the trunk stream and main lakes of the Yangtze River.The results are as follows.Compared to other river basins in China and abroad,the microplastics in the Yangtze River basin have a moderate abundance and high spatial heterogeneity.Owing to the barrier effect of the Three Gorges Dam on microplastics,the abundance of microplastics in the Three Gorges Reservoir is generally an order of magnitude higher than that in other sections of the river.Most microplastics in the water bodies and sediments are less than 1 mm in size and are transparent and colorful.In terms of shapes,they are dominated by fibers,followed by fragments and films.In terms of composition,the microplastics in the source region of the Yangtze River are mainly composed of nylon and polyethylene,while the microplastics in the surface water from the lower reaches of the Jinsha River to the Yangtze River estuary are dominated by polypropylene and polyethylene.The microplastics are primarily derived from the secondary microplastics in the environment,and relatively intensive human activities increase the abundance of microplastics.These results serve as bases for understanding and preventing microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River.

Water discharge variability of Changjiang(Yangtze) and Huanghe(Yellow) Rivers and its response to climatic changes

Influences of large-scale climatic phenomena, such as the E1Nifio/La Nifia-Southem Oscillation （ENSO） and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation （PDO）, on the temporal variations of the annual water discharge at the Lijin station in the Huanghe （Yellow） River and at the Datong station in the Changjiang （Yangtze） River were examined. Using the empirical mode decomposition-maximum entropy spectral analysis （EMD- MESA） method, the 2- to 3-year, 8- to 14-year, and 23-year cyclical variations of the annual water discharge at the two stations were discovered. Based on the analysis results, the hydrological time series on the inter- annual to interdecadal scales were constructed. The results indicate that from 1950 to 2011, a significant downward trend occurred in the natural annual water discharge in Huanghe River. However, the changes in water discharge in Changjiang River basin exhibited a slightly upward trend. It indicated that the changes in the river discharge in the Huanghe basin were driven primarily by precipitation. Other factors, such as the precipitation over the Changjiang River tributaries, ice melt and evaporation contributed much more to the increase in the Changjiang River basin. Especially, the impacts of the inter-annual and inter-decadal climate oscillations such as ENSO and PDO could change the long-term patterns of precipitation over the basins of the two major rivers. Generally, low amounts of basin-wide precipitation on interannual to interdecadal scales over the two rivers corresponded to most of the warm ENSO events and the warm phases of the PDO, and vice versa. The positive phases of the PDO and ENSO could lead to reduced precipitation and consequently affect the long-term scale water discharges at the two rivers.

Distribution Regularity of Debris Flow and Its Hazard in Upper Reaches of Yangtze River and Other Rivers of Southwestern China

In the upper reaches of Yangtze River and other rivers of southwestern China, the debris flows develop and lead to most serious disasters because of the various landforms, complex geological structures and abundant rainfall. The distribution of debris flows has regularity in the regions with different landform, geological structure, and precipitation. The regularities of distribution of debris flows are as following： （1） distributed in transition belts of different morphologic regions; （2） distributed in the area with strong stream trenching; （3） distributed along fracture zones and seismic belts： （4） distributed in the area with abundant precipitation; （5） distribution of debris flow is azonal. The activity of abundant debris flows not only brings harm to Towns, Villages and Farmlands, Main Lines of Communication, Water-Power Engineering, Stream Channels etc., but also induces strong water and soil loss. According to the present status of debris flow prevention, the problems in disasters mitigation and soil conservancy are found out, and the key works are brought up for the future disasters prevention and soil conservancy.

Variation Trends of Hydrology and Water Resources in Yangtze River Delta Region,China and Its Responses to Climate Change

Global warming has become one of important environmental issues, and will alter the spatial distribution of hydrology and water re- sources through accelerating atmospheric and hydrological cycles. Yangtze River Delta region, an economic center in China, has experienced a re- gional temperature increase since the 1960s, forming a heat island, and the warming rate has improved since the 1990s. The characteristics of hy- drology and water resources changed under regional climate warming. Here, the impacts of climate change on hydrology and water resources were discussed from the aspects of precipitation change, sea level rise, seawater invasion and water pollution in Yangtze River Delta region, China.