Research on Policy Diffusion Path and Reproduction of River Chief System

The River Chief System (RCS) has evolved from local innovative practices to a national water governance strategy to address the current challenges in China’s water environmental management. In contrast to existing research that focuses on the strengths, weaknesses, and improvements of RCS, this study uses literature study to reveal the dynamic evolution of RCS through three phases, with RCS spreading from developed coastal areas to central and western inland regions. RCS’s diffusion path involves vertical diffusion between central and local levels and horizontal diffusion among local governments. Moreover, RCS has also achieved conceptual spillover, gradually expanding into other governance domains, such as the Lake Chief System, the Field Chief System, the Forestry Chief System, and the integration of multiple chief roles. However, it is essential to scrutinize the phenomenon of applying similar governance mechanisms to different areas, as it may result in challenges such as overburdening local governments, insufficient public participation, oversimplification of differences in natural resource endowments, and limited applicability. This study also provides suggestions on how to address these challenges. The study contributes theoretical insights and policy implications, providing a foundation for practical policy innovation.

An integrated north–south paleo-Dadu-Anning River: New insights from bulk major and trace element analyses of the Xigeda Formation

The Xianshuihe-Anninghe fault extends SE–S and constitutes the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.However,the Dadu River which is associated with the fault does not flow following the path,but makes a 90ºturn within a distance of 1 km at Shimian,heading east,and joins the Yangtze River,finally flowing into the East China Sea.Adjacent to the abrupt turn,a low and wide pass near the Daqiao reservoir at Mianning separates the N–S course of the Dadu River from the headwater of the Anning River which then flows south into the Yunnan Province along the Anninghe fault.Therefore,many previous studies assumed southward flow of the paleo-Dadu River from the Shimian to the Anning River.However,evidences for the capture of the integrated N–S paleo-Dadu-Anning River,its timing,and causes are still insufficient.This study explored the paleo-drainage pattern of the Dadu and Anning Rivers based on bulk mineral and geochemical analyses of the large quantities of fluvial/lacustrine sediments along the trunk of the Dadu and Anning Rivers.Similar with sands in the modern Dadu River,the Xigeda sediments also exhibit a granitoid affinity with the bulk major mineral compositions of quartz(>50%),anorthite(about 10%),orthoclase(about 5%),muscovite(about 5%),and clinochlore(about 4%).Correspondingly,bulk major elements show high SiO_(2),with all samples>60%,and some of them>70%,low TiO_(2)(≤0.75%),P_(2)O_(5)(≤0.55%),FeO*(≤5%),and relatively high CaO(1.02%–8.51%),Na_(2)O(1.60%–2.52%),and K_(2)O(2.17%–2.71%),with a uniform REE patterns.Therefore,synthesizing all these results indicate that these lacustrine sediments have similar material sources,which are mainly derived from its course in the Songpan-Ganzi flysch block,implying that the paleo-Dadu originally flowed southward into the Anning River and provided materials to the Xigeda ancient lake.The rearrangement of the paleo-Dadu River appears to be closely related to the locally focused uplift driven by strong activities of the XianshuiheXiaojiang fault system.

Assessment of the Recent Hydromorphological Features of Nokoue Lake and Its Channels (South-East Benin)

Based on 2022 and 2023 hydrometric data and satellite images (Sentinel 2022, SPOT 2010), this study aims to present the Nokoué Lake and its channels’ re-cent hydromorphological characteristics. Integrating flow, tributary morphology, and topography data determined specific power values along the axes studied. The values obtained range from 2.69 to 12.92 W/m2 for Ouémé River and 2.46 to 10.99 W/m2 for Sô River. The resulting water erosion on banks and bottoms is of linear, areolar, or gully and claw types. Lake bathymetry varies from -0.5 to -2.6 m (low flow period) and -1 to -4 m;in the Ouémé, Sô, and Totchè rivers, it varies from -5 m to -7 m, reaching -10 m at the Cotonou channel entrance (flood period). Bathymetric profiles reveal varied “U”, “V” and “Intermediate” bottom morphologies, influenced by erosion/sedimentation processes and human activities. The flow facies identified are lentic in the northern tributaries and lotic in the Cotonou and Totchè canals. Spatial analysis identified nine (09) thematic classes. In 2022, the surface area of the water body has increased from 274 km2 at low water to 280 km2 at high water, whereas in 2010 (a recent year of exceptional flooding), the surface area was 270 km2 at low water and 277 km2 at high water. Significant changes in land use are observed between 2010 and 2022. The floodplain area decreased slightly, from 421 km2 in 2010 (year of exceptional flooding) to 419 km2 in 2022. The evolution of land use shows a progressive expansion of the urban environment to the detriment of the natural environment. In the medium to long term, this trend could threaten the hydromorphological balance and even the existence of this important lagoon ecosystem.

Anthropogenic activity,hydrological regime,and light level jointly influence temporal patterns in biosonar activity of the Yangtze finless porpoise at the junction of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake,China

Under increasing anthropogenic pressure,species with a previously contiguous distribution across their ranges have been reduced to small fragmented populations.The critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise(Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis),once commonly observed in the Yangtze River-Poyang Lake junction,is now rarely seen in the river-lake corridor.In this study,static passive acoustic monitoring techniques were used to detect the biosonar activities of the Yangtze finless porpoise in this unique corridor.Generalized linear models were used to examine the correlation between these activities and anthropogenic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and boat navigation,as well as environmental variables,including hydrological conditions and light levels.Over approximately three consecutive years of monitoring(2020–2022),porpoise biosonar was detected during 93%of logged days,indicating the key role of the corridor for finless porpoise conservation.In addition,porpoise clicks were recorded in 3.80%of minutes,while feeding correlated buzzes were detected in 1.23%of minutes,suggesting the potential existence of localized,small-scale migration.Furthermore,both anthropogenic and environmental variables were significantly correlated with the diel,lunar,monthly,seasonal,and annual variations in porpoise biosonar activities.During the pandemic lockdown period,porpoise sonar detection showed a significant increase.Furthermore,a significant negative correlation was identified between the detection of porpoise click trains and buzzes and boat traffic intensity.In addition to water level and flux,daylight and moonlight exhibited significant correlations with porpoise biosonar activities,with markedly higher detections at night and quarter moon periods.Ensuring the spatiotemporal reduction of anthropogenic activities,implementing vessel speed restrictions(e.g.,during porpoise migration and feeding),and maintaining local natural hydrological regimes are critical factors for sustaining porpoise population viability.

The river chief system and agricultural non-point source water pollution control in China

As part of their efforts to control water pollution,local governments in China introduced the river chief system,whereby a named individual undertakes responsibility for protecting a specified waterway.As one of the most prominent sources of water pollution,agricultural non-point-source(NPS)pollution is becoming increasingly serious.Determining whether the river chief system,an institutional reform in China's decentralized environmental regulation regime,is effective in alleviating NPS pollution is important for the realization of green development.The effect of the river chief system on reducing agricultural NPS pollution is explored in this study using panel data from 308 Chinese counties during the period from 2004 to 2015.The results reveal that the negative impact of manure output from animal breeding operations on surface water quality is reduced with the implementation of the river chief system.However,the river chief system is ineffective in dealing with the water pollution caused by fertilizer use.Furthermore,in the current system,cooperation among river chiefs only occurs within a province.Local governments should increase their efforts in reducing fertilizer source loads and preventing fertilizer loads from entering surface waters.In addition,the central government should improve cooperation among the river chiefs in upstream and downstream provinces.

Unraveling the mechanisms underlying lake expansion from 2001 to 2020 and its impact on the ecological environment in a typical alpine basin on the Tibetan Plateau

Yanhu Lake basin(YHB)is a typical alpine lake on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau(TP).Its continuous expansion in recent years poses serious threats to downstream major projects.As a result,studies of the mechanisms underlying lake expansion are urgently needed.The elasticity method within the Budyko framework was used to calculate the water balance in the Yanhu Lake basin(YHB)and the neighboring Tuotuo River basin(TRB).Results show intensification of hydrological cycles and positive trends in the lake area,river runoff,precipitation,and potential evapotranspiration.Lake expansion was significant between 2001 and 2020 and accelerated between 2015 and 2020.Precipitation increase was the key factor underlying the hydrological changes,followed by glacier meltwater and groundwater.The overflow of Yanhu Lake was inevitable because it was connected to three other lakes and the water balance of all four lakes was positive.The high salinity lake water diverted downstream will greatly impact the water quality of the source area of the Yangtze River and the stability of the permafrost base of the traffic corridor.

Large-scale characteristics of thermokarst lakes across the source area of the Yellow River on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

As significant evidence of permafrost degradation,thermokarst lakes play an important role in the permafrost regions by regulating hydrology,ecology,and biogeochemistry.In the Sources Area of the Yellow River(SAYR),permafrost degradation has accelerated since the 1980s,and numerous thermokarst lakes have been discovered.In this paper,we use Sentinel-2 images to extract thermokarst lake boundaries and perform a regional-scale study on their geometry across the permafrost region in the SAYR.We also explored the spatiotemporal variations and potential drivers from the perspectives of the permafrost,climate,terrain and vegetation conditions.The results showed that there were 47,518 thermokarst lakes in 2021 with a total area of 190.22×106 m^(2),with an average size of 4,003.3 m^(2).The 44,928 ponds(≤10,000 m^(2))predominated the whole lake number(94.1%)but contributed to a small portion of the total lake area(28.8%).With 2,590 features(5.9%),small-sized(10,000 to 100,000 m^(2))and large-sized lakes(>100,000 m^(2))constituted up to 71.2%of the total lake area.Thermokarst lakes developed more significantly in warm permafrost regions than in cold permafrost areas;74.1%of lakes with a total area of 119.6×106 m^(2)(62.9%),were distributed in warm permafrost regions.Most thermokarst lakes were likely to develop within the elevation range of 4,500~4,800 m,on flat terrain(slope<10°),on SE and S aspects and in alpine meadow areas.The thermokarst lakes in the study region experienced significant shrinkage between 1990 and 2021,characterized by obvious lake drainage;the lake numbers decreased by 5418(56.1%),with a decreasing area of 58.63×106 m^(2)(49.0%).This shrinkage of the thermokarst lake area was attributable mainly to the intensified degradation of rich-ice permafrost thawing arising from continued climate warming,despite the wetting climatic trend.

Middle-Late Pleistocene Glacial Lakes in the Grand Canyon of the Tsangpo River,Tibet

Many moraines formed between Daduka and Chibai in the Tsangpo River valley since Middle Pleistocene. A prominent set of lacustrine and alluvial terraces on the valley margin along both the Tsangpo and Nyang Rivers formed during Quaternary glacial epoch demonstrate lakes were created by damming of the river. Research was conducted on the geological environment, contained sediments, spatial distribution, timing, and formation and destruction of these paleolakes. The lacustrine sediments 14C （10537±268 aBP at Linzhi Brick and Tile Factory, 22510±580 aBP and 13925±204 aBP at Bengga, 21096±1466 aBP at Yusong） and a series of ESR （electron spin resonance） ages at Linzhi town and previous data by other experts, paleolakes persisted for 691±305 kaBP middle Pleistocene ice age, 75-40 kaBP the early stage of last glacier, 27-8 kaBP Last Glacier Maximum （LGM）, existence time of lakes gradually shorten represents glacial scale and dam moraine supply potential gradually cut down, paleolakes and dam scale also gradually diminished. This article calculated the average lacustrine sedimentary rate of Gega paleolake in LGM was 12.5 mm/a, demonstrates Mount Namjagbarwa uplifted strongly at the same time, the sedimentary rate of Gega paleolake is more larger than that of enclosed lakes of plateau inland shows the climatic variation of Mount Namjagbarwa is more larger and plateau margin uplifted more quicker than plateau inland. This article analyzed formation and decay cause about the Zelunglung glacier on the west flank of Mount Namjagbarwa got into the Tsangpo River valley and blocked it for tectonic and climatic factors. There is a site of blocking the valley from Gega to Chibai. This article according to moraines and lacustrine sediments yielded paleolakes scale： the lowest lake base altitude 2850 m, the highest lake surface altitude 3585 m, 3240 m and 3180 m, area 2885 km2, 820 km2 and 810 km2, lake maximum depth of 735 m, 390 m and 330 m. We disclose the reason that previous experts discovered there were different age moraines dividing line of altitude 3180 m at the entrance of the Tsangpo Grand Canyon is dammed lake erosive decay under altitude 3180 m moraines in the last glacier era covering moraines in the early ice age of late Pleistocene, top 3180 m in the last glacier moraine remained because ancient dammed lakes didn＇t erode it under 3180 m moraines in the early ice age of late Pleistocene exposed. The reason of the top elevation 3585 m moraines in the middle Pleistocene ice age likes that of altitude 3180 m. There were three times dammed lakes by glacier blocking the Tsangpo River during Quaternary glacial period. During other glacial and interglacial period the Zelunglung glacier often extended the valley but moraine supplemental speed of the dam was smaller than that of fluvial erosion and moraine movement, dam quickly disappeared and didn＇t form stable lake.

Mathematical model for flood routing in Jingjiang River and Dongting Lake network

The main stream of the Yangtze River, Dongting Lake, and the river network in the Jingjiang reach of the Yangtze River constitute a complex water system. This paper develops a one-dimensional （l-D） mathematical model for flood routing in the river network Of the Jingjiang River and Dongting Lake using the explicit finite volume method. Based on observed data during the flood periods in 1996 and 1998, the model was calibrated and validated, and the results show that the model is effective and has high accuracy. In addition, the one-dimensional mathematical model for the river network and the horizontal two-dimensional （2-D） mathematical model for the Jingjiang flood diversion area were coupled to simulate the flood process in the Jingjiang River, Dongting Lake, and the Jingjiang flood diversion area. The calculated results of the coupled model are consistent with the practical processes. Meanwhile, the results show that the flood diversion has significant effects on the decrease of the peak water level at the Shashi and Chenjiawan hydrological stations near the flood diversion gates, and the effect is more obvious in the downstream than in the upstream.

Geochemical records of the sediments and their significance in Dongping Lake Area,the lower reach of Yellow River,North China

Dongping Lake area,located in the lower reaches of Yellow River,is an ideal place to study the changes of modern river and lake sedimentary environment.The sediment samples of Dawen River,Yellow River,and Dongping Lake were collected,and the major elements,trace elements and organic matter geochemical composition of the samples were analyzed.Cluster analysis,characteristic element ratio method and graphic method were used to explore the geochemical characteristics of sediments and their environmental implication.The results show that the contents of SiO_(2),Na_(2)O,TiO_(2) and Zr in sediments of Dawen River and Yellow River are relatively high,and the contents of iron and manganese oxides,organic matter,CaO,P2O5 and Sr in lake sediments are relatively high.That reveals the differences of sedimentary environments between the rivers and the lake.The contents of Sr and Zr in Dawen River are affected by the rapid migration of clastic materials in the upstream carbonate source area during the flood season;the δCe,ΣREE and REE’s ratios in the sediments of the Yellow River reflect the influence of the Loess source;and the distribution of elements changes along the flow direction during the flood season.The characteristics of pH,element composition and LREE&HREE fractionation of the lake sediments indicate that the sediment source is complex,and the lake environment is affected by the flood season.The study shows that the geochemical content and its variation characteristics of sediments effectively reveal the sedimentary environment,material composition and characteristics of flood season of rivers and the lake in the study area.

Changes in Ice Cover Duration and Maximum Ice Thickness for Rivers and Lakes in the Asian Part of Russia

This article is concerned with assessment of changes in two critical characteristics of lake and river ice regime, namely ice cover duration and maximum ice thickness, in the period from the beginning of the 80s to the present, which is characterized by higher temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere compared with the previous period. The above ice regime characteristics are often limiting factors in winter operation of lakes and rivers (navigation, hydraulic construction works in cold period, construction of ice roads etc.). Assessment of changes in ice characteristics of lakes and rivers has been made for 52 river and five lake gauging sites of the Asian part of Russia (APR) using long-term observation data from the Russian observing network. Long-term series of the above characteristics were divided into two periods: from 1955 to 1979 (the period of stationary climate) and from 1980 to 2014 (non-stationary climate) and assessed from the point of view of their homogeneity and trend significance by Student’s t-test. The research has found that at most of the sites in the APR, both ice cover duration and maximum ice thickness decreased during non-stationary climate period compared with the previous one. The greatest quantitative changes have occurred in the Eastern Siberia (average net decrease in ice cover duration amounted to 7 days.decade-1 and in maximum ice thickness-20 cm.decade-1) and in the Amur River basin (7 days.decade-1 and 17 cm.decade-1 respectively).

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.

Importance of Comprehensive Ecological Restoration of Mountains,Rivers,Forests,Farmland,Lakes and Grass:A Case Study of the Shichuan River

With China's economic development and population growth,China's ecological environment continues to deteriorate.The comprehensive ecosystem restoration of the Shichuan River aims to build an ecosystem containing"mountains,rivers,forests,farmland,lakes and grass"by determining scientific and reasonable thickness of foreign soil,pollution restoration,ecological reconstruction,safeguard measures,etc.It brings new vitality to local ecological environment remodeling and economic development.

Evaluation on Current Situation of the Water Ecology of the Main Rivers and Lakes in the Liaohe River Basin

In this paper,15 rivers and 10 lake reservoirs in the Liaohe River basin were taken as research objects. Based on six indexes: satisfaction situation of ecological water demand,standard-reaching rate of water quality in water function area,eutrophication index of lakes and reservoirs,longitudinal connectivity of rivers,reserve rate of important wetlands and status of important aquatic habitat,water ecological conditions of main rivers and lakes in the basin were evaluated. The results showed that the rivers with better ecology were mainly distributed in east mountainous area of Liaoning,such as the upper reaches of the Hunhe River and the Taizi River;the problems of water pollution,ecological water shortage and habitat shrinkage were widespread in the Liaohe River basin,and the situation of water ecological security in the Liaohe River basin still faced great pressure.

Organic Phosphorus in Shallow Lake Sediments in Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Area in China

Thirteen sediment core samples(0-10 cm) were taken from the seven lakes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River to determine the contents and distributions of organic phosphorus(P) fractions in the sediments of the shallow lakes in the area.The organic P fractions in the sediments were in the order of moderately labile organic P(MLOP) > moderately resistant organic P(MROP) > highly resistant organic P(HROP) > labile organic P(LOP),with average proportional ratios of 13.2:2.8:1.3:1.0.LOP,MLOP,and MROP were significantly related to the contents of total organic carbon(TOC),water-soluble P(WSP),algal-available P(AAP),NaHCO3-extractable P(Olsen-P),total P(TP),organic P(OP),and inorganic P(IP).However,HROP was significantly related to OP and weakly correlated with TOC,WSP,AAP,Olsen-P,TP or IP.This suggested that organic P,especially LOP and MLOP in sediments,deserved even greater attention than IP in regards to lake eutrophication.In terms of organic P,sediments were more hazardous than soils in lake eutrophication.Although OP concentrations were higher in moderately polluted sediment than those in heavily polluted sediment,LOP and MLOP were higher in the heavily polluted sediment,which indicated that heavily polluted sediment was more hazardous than moderately polluted sediment in lake eutrophication.

The Sustainable Utilization of Lake Resources in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River

Based on geographical and hydrological characteristics of lakes in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River, this paper analyzes the factors restricting the sustainable utilization of lake resources, including the conflict among agriculture water conservancy, and fishery, lake water pollution and eutrophication, lake siltation and swamping. The countermeasures and suggestions, such as improving the strategic status of lake harnessing, strengthening integrated management of lakes and their watershed, strengthening researches on lake environment and lake resources, are proposed to practice the sustainable utilization of lake resources.

Current Situation and Ideas of Protection and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems in Rivers and Lakes of China

Based on the investigation and analysis of protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems in rivers and lakes of China, the ideas and measures of restoring aquatic ecosystems were proposed to build healthy aquatic ecosystems of rivers and lakes in China, such as setting scientific and clear goals, improving the standard adopted by wastewater treatment plants, controlling sources of pollutants and intercepting pollutants, collec- tion of blue-green algae, water transfer, dredging, reducing the quantity of blue-green algae, restoring reed wetlands on a large scale, combing dredging and base raise of restored reed wetlands, making full use of microorganisms, and implementing effective management, technology integra- tion and innovation.

Research on the Public Behaviors to Participate in the Lake Chief System-Based on the Survey of Hengshui City, China

Lake chief system is an innovative measure of ecological civilization construction in lake governance and protection in China. Due to the complexity and openness of lake resources, it is difficult for the government and the market to properly handle the arduous task of lake governance, and public participation is an effective remedy for the failure of the government and the market. In order to know the public participation in the protection lakes, this paper selected 318 citizens from Hengshui city and uses the questionnaire survey to understand the public’s participation attitude, approach and behavior of the lake chief system. The research results show that the public’s education level, length of residence and understanding of the lake chief system have a positive impact on their participation.

New Challenges and Opportunities for Flood Control in the Huai River: Addressing a Changing River-Lake Relationship

This paper addresses the change of the river-lake relationship in the Huai River and its causes due to environmental change and human activities. A preliminary analysis is made from three aspects: (1) the natural geographical change particularly captured by the Yellow River, (2) water conservancy project construction, and (3) socioeconomic development in the Huai River Basin. Key problems of changes in this river-lake relationship and the Huai River flood control are tackled, involving flood control and disaster alleviation ability of the Basin, engineering and non-engineering measurements applied to flood control and disaster mitigation, and water governance for adaptive management. Research shows that the Huai River is a rather complex one due to its complex geography with a hybrid wet and dry climate zoon, and higher population density. With the alternation of the river-lake relationship and socioeconomic development in the region, new problems keep arising, imposing new requirements on its sustainable water management. Thus, understanding the Huai River is a long and gradually improving process. Its future planning should keep absorbing new achievements of science and technology development, employing new technologies and methods, and gradually deepening our understanding of its fundamental principles. Water governance and adaptive water management will be new challenges and opportunities for the Basin in its river system change and flood control.

Modeling for Inter-Basin Groundwater Transfer Identification: The Case of Upper Rift Valley Lakes and Awash River Basins of Ethiopia

Groundwater movement beneath watershed divide is one component of the hydrological cycle that is typically ignored due to difficulty in analysis. Numerical ground-water models, like TAGSAC, have been used extensively for predicting aquifer responses to external stresses. In this paper TAGSAC code was developed to identify the inter-basin groundwater transfer (IBGWT) between upper Awash River basin (UARB) and upper rift valley lakes basin (URVLB) of Ethiopia. For the identification three steady state groundwater models (for UARB, URVLB and for the two combined basins) were first created and calibrated for the 926 inventoried wells. The first two models are conceptualized by considering the watershed divide between the two basins as no-flow. The third model avoids the surface water divide which justifies IBGWT. The calibration of these three models was made by changing the recharge and hydrogeologic parameters of the basins. The goodness of fit indicators (GoFIs) obtained was better for the combined model than the model that describes the URVLB. Furthermore, the hydraulic head distribution obtained from the combined model clearly indicates that there is a groundwater flow that doesn’t respect the surface water divide. The most obvious effect of IBGWT observed in these two basins is that it diminishes surface water discharge from URVLB, and enhances discharge in the UARB. Moreover, the result of this study indicates potential for internal and cross contamination of the two adjacent groundwater.