Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of Three Gorges Dam and drought on particulate organic carbon flux and its source in the lower Yangtze River

  • Published:
Biogeochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Publisher Correction to this article was published on 21 February 2022

This article has been updated

Abstract

The Yangtze River basin regulated by the gigantic Three Gorges Dam (TGD) is the best location to study the impacts of intense anthropogenic modifications on the global biogeochemical cycles. However, frequent drought periods commencing from 2006 to 2011 may equally act as a strong factor influencing the particulate organic matter (POM) flux. To capture the distinctive role of TGD operations and drought severity on the POM, weekly sampling of total suspended matter (TSM) concentration was conducted at Nantong in the lower Yangtze basin. Biogeochemical parameters (POC% of TSM, PN% of TSM, C/N ratios, and δ13C), CaCO3%, mean suspended sediment size, and drought parameters (mean temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed, evapotranspiration, and rainfall) were evaluated. The inverse power-law correlation between TSM-POC% and TSM-PN% was observed and POC% during 2008–2009 was found to be higher than pre-dam values. The δ13C and C/N range from − 25.6 to − 24.1‰ and 4.8 to 9.2, and moderate negative correlation between CaCO3-POC% and POC%-δ13C were observed. Principal component analysis stipulates that high temperature and solar radiation enhanced evapotranspiration and TGD operations were not found to promote drought in the lower Yangtze basin. The results evince the potential shift of POM source from terrestrial to aquatic biological activity was related to low discharge, low TSM concentration, and dry conditions. The study advances our understanding of the impacts of hydrological connectivity on the POM pool and accentuates the role of phytoplankton as a dominant source of POM in regulated river channels.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data used in the study is compiled in Supplementary file1. Further, the MERRA (Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications) and CFSR (Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) database used to generate results is available in the public domain at websites http://www.soda-pro.com/web-services/meteo-data/merra and https://globalweather.tamu.edu/.

Code availability

NA.

Change history

References

  • Bao H, Wu Y, Zhang J, Deng B, He Q (2014) Composition and flux of suspended organic matter in the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze River)—impact of the Three Gorges Dam and the role of tributaries and channel erosion. Hydrol Process 28(3):137–1147. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.9651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai DL, Han YB (1998) Carbon isotopic composition and flux of particulate organic matter in the Changjiang. Acta Oceanol Sin 17:337–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Chai C, Yu Z, Song X, Cao X (2006) The status and characteristics of eutrophication in the Yangtze River (Changjiang) Estuary and the adjacent East China Sea, China. Hydrobiologia 563(1):313–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0021-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Wu X, Finlayson BL, Webber M, Wei T, Li M, Chen Z (2014) Variability and trend in the hydrology of the Yangtze River, China: annual precipitation and runoff. J Hydrol 513:403–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai Z, Du J, Li J, Li W, Chen J (2008) Runoff characteristics of the Changjiang River during 2006: effect of extreme drought and the impounding of the Three Gorges Dam. Geophys Res Lett 35(7):L07406. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL033456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai M, Yin Z, Meng F, Liu Q, Cai WJ (2012) Spatial distribution of riverine DOC inputs to the ocean: an updated global synthesis. Curr Opin Environ Sustain 4(2):170–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2012.03.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao L, Li D, Zhang Y (2012) Nutrients and particulate organic matter discharged by the Changjiang (Yangtze River): seasonal variations and temporal trends. J Geophys Res Biogeosci 117:G04001. https://doi.org/10.1029/2012JG001952

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao Q, He G, Fang H, Bai S, Huang L (2018) Numerical simulation of water age and its potential effects on the water quality in Xiangxi Bay of Three Gorges Reservoir. J Hydrol 566:484–499

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gentilucci M, Bufalini M, Materazzi M, Barbieri M, Aringoli D, Farabollini P, Pambianchi G (2021) Calculation of potential evapotranspiration and calibration of the Hargreaves equation using geostatistical methods over the last 10 years in Central Italy. Geosciences 11(8):348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goñi MA, Eglinton TI (1996) Stable carbon isotopic analyses of lignin-derived CuO oxidation products by isotope ratio monitoring-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (irm-GC-MS). Org Geochem 24(6–7):601–615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo C, Jin Z, Guo L, Lu J, Ren S, Zhou Y (2020) On the cumulative dam impact in the upper Changjiang River: streamflow and sediment load changes. Catena 184:104250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2019.104250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hein T, Baranyi C, Herndl GJ, Wanek W, Schiemer F (2003) Allochthonous and autochthonous particulate organic matter in floodplains of the River Danube: the importance of hydrological connectivity. Freshw Biol 48(2):220–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ittekkott V, Zhang S (1989) Pattern of particulate nitrogen transport in world rivers. Glob Biogeochem Cycles 3:383–391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji H, Li C, Ding H, Gao Y (2016) Source and flux of POC in a Karstic area in the Changjiang River watershed: impacts of reservoirs and extreme drought. Biogeosciences 13(12):3687–3699

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall C, Silva SR, Kelly VJ (2001) Carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of particulate organic matter in four large river systems across the United States. Hydrol Process 15:1301–1346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai X, Jiang J, Yang G, Lu XX (2014) Should the Three Gorges Dam be blamed for the extremely low water levels in the middle–lower Yangtze River? Hydrol Process 28(1):150–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li S, Xiong L, Dong L, Zhang J (2013) Effects of the Three Gorges Reservoir on the hydrological droughts at the downstream Yichang station during 2003–2011. Hydrol Process 27(26):3981–3993

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li G, Wang XT, Yang Z, Mao C, West AJ, Ji J (2015) Dam-triggered organic carbon sequestration makes the Changjiang (Yangtze) river basin (China) a significant carbon sink. J Geophys Res Biogeosci 120(1):39–53. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JG002646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li F, Wang Z, Chao N, Song Q (2018) Assessing the influence of the three gorges dam on hydrological drought using GRACE data. Water 10(5):669. https://doi.org/10.3390/w10050669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin J, Wu Y, Zhang J, Yang SL, Zhu ZY (2007) Seasonal variation of organic carbon fluxes in the Yangtze River and influence of Three-Gorges engineering. China Env Sci 27:246–249

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu XL, Yang SY, Huang WR, Li LL, Zeng C, Teng F (2013) Seasonal transport characteristics of suspended particulate organic carbon in the middle and lower Yangtze River and the relationship with three georges reservoir. In: Advanced materials research, Vol 663. Trans Tech Publications Ltd, pp 1058–1063

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Du J, Wu Y, Liu S (2018) Nutrient input through submarine groundwater discharge in two major Chinese estuaries: the Pearl River Estuary and the Changjiang River Estuary. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 203:17–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig W, Probst JL, Kempe S (1996) Predicting the oceanic input of organic carbon by continental erosion. Glob Biogeochem Cycles 10:23–41. https://doi.org/10.1029/95GB02925

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyers PA (1997) Organic geochemical proxies of paleoceanographic, paleolimnologic, and paleoclimatic processes. Org Geochem 27(5–6):213–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0146-6380(97)00049-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milliman JD, Syvitski JPM (1992) Geomorphic/tectonic control of sediment discharge to the ocean: the importance of small mountainous rivers. J Geol 100(5):525–544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mosley LM (2015) Drought impacts on the water quality of freshwater systems; review and integration. Earth Sci Rev 140:203–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.11.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park JH, Nayna OK, Begum MS, Chea E, Hartmann J, Keil RG, Kumar S, Lu X, Ran L, Richey JE, Sarma VV (2018) Reviews and syntheses: anthropogenic perturbations to carbon fluxes in Asian river systems-concepts, emerging trends, and research challenges. Biogeosciences 15(9):3049. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-3049-2018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schagerl M, Drozdowski I, Angeler DG, Thomas HEIN, Preiner S (2009) Water age—a major factor controlling phytoplankton community structure in a reconnected dynamic floodplain (Danube, Regelsbrunn, Austria). J Limnol 68(2):274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Z, Zhu X, Pan Y, Zhang J, Liu X (2018) Drought evaluation using the GRACE terrestrial water storage deficit over the Yangtze River Basin, China. Sci Tot Environ 634:727–738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang X, Li R, Han D, Scholz M (2020) Response of eutrophication development to variations in nutrients and hydrological regime: a case study in the Changjiang River (Yangtze) Basin. Water 12(6):1634. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12061634

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Velozzi D, Liu P, Li A, Demaster D (2004) Sedimentary features of the Yangtze derived mud deposits in the inner shelf of the East China Sea. In: AGU fall meeting abstracts, vol 2004. pp OS23C-1320

  • Vorosmarty CJ, Meybeck M, Fekete B, Sharma K, Green P, Syvitski JPM (2003) Anthropogenic sediment retention: major global impact from registered river impoundments. Glob Planet Change 39(1–2):169–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8181(03)00023-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Yang Z, Wang Y, Saito Y, Liu JP (2008) Reconstruction of sediment flux from the Changjiang (Yangtze River) to the sea since the 1860s. J Hydrol 349(3–4):318–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2007.11.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang M, Zhang LJ, Gui ZS (2011) Spatial and temporal transport of organic carbon in changjiang mainstream and influence of three gorges project. Period Ocean Univer China 41:117–124 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Ma H, Li R, Song Z, Wu J (2012) Seasonal fluxes and source variation of organic carbon transported by two major Chinese Rivers: the Yellow River and Changjiang (Yangtze) River. Glob Biogeochem Cycles 26:GB2025. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GB004130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Wu Y, Bao H, Gan S, Zhang J (2019) Sources, transport, and transformation of dissolved organic matter in a large river system: illustrated by the Changjiang river, china. J Geophys Res Biogeosci 124(12):3881–3901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Sun F, Liu W (2020) Characteristics of streamflow in the main stream of Changjiang River and the impact of the Three Gorges Dam. Catena 189:104498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Worrall F, Burt T (2008) The effect of severe drought on the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and flux from British rivers. J Hydrol 361:262–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2008.07.051

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Zhang J, Zhang ZF, Ren JL, Cao JP (2002) Seasonal variability of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope of suspended particulate matter in the Changjiang River. Oceanologia Et Limnologia Sinica 33(5):546–552 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Zhang J, Liu SM, Zhang ZF, Yao QZ, Hong GH, Cooper L (2007) Sources and distribution of carbon within the Yangtze River system. Estuar Coast Mar Sci 71(1–2):13–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2006.08.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Lücke A, Wang S (2008) Assessment of nutrient sources and paleoproductivity during the past century in Longgan Lake, middle reaches of the Yangtze River, China. J Paleolimnol 39(4):451–462

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Bao H, Yu H, Zhang J, Kattner G (2015) Temporal variability of particulate organic carbon in the lower Changjiang (Yangtze River) in the post-Three Gorges Dam period: links to anthropogenic and climate impacts. J Geophys Res Biogeosci 120(11):2194–2211. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JG002927

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Eglinton TI, Zhang J, Montlucon DB (2018) Spatiotemporal variation of the quality, origin, and age of particulate organic matter transported by the Yangtze River (Changjiang). J Geophys Res Biogeosci 123(9):2908–2921. https://doi.org/10.1029/2017JG004285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang SL, Zhang J, Xu XJ (2007) Influence of the Three Gorges Dam on downstream delivery of sediment and its environmental implications, Yangtze River. Geophys Res Lett 34:L10401. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL029472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang SL, Xu KH, Milliman JD, Yang HF, Wu CS (2015) Decline of Yangtze River water and sediment discharge: Impact from natural and anthropogenic changes. Sci Rep 5(1):1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang HF, Yang SL, Xu KH, Milliman JD, Wang H, Yang Z, Chen Z, Zhang CY (2018) Human impacts on sediment in the Yangtze River: a review and new perspectives. Glob Planet Change 162:8–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2018.01.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu H, Wu Y, Zhang J, Deng B, Zhu Z (2011) Impact of extreme drought and the Three Gorges Dam on transport of particulate terrestrial organic carbon in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 116:F04029. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JF002012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu M, Li Q, Hayes MJ, Svoboda MD, Heim RR (2014) Are droughts becoming more frequent or severe in China based on the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index: 1951–2010? Int J Climatol 34(3):545–558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Wu Y, Jennerjahn TC, Ittekkot V, He Q (2007) Distribution of organic matter in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) Estuary and their stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios: implications for source discrimination and sedimentary dynamics. Mar Chem 106(1–2):111–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2007.02.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Xue M, Wang M, Cai WJ, Wang L, Yu Z (2014) The spatiotemporal distribution of dissolved inorganic and organic carbon in the main stem of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River and the effect of the Three Gorges Reservoir. J Geophys Res Biogeosci 119(5):741–757. https://doi.org/10.1002/2012JG002230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Chao BF, Chen J, Wilson CR (2015) Terrestrial water storage anomalies of Yangtze River Basin droughts observed by GRACE and connections with ENSO. Glob Planet Change 126:35–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2015.01.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Dong Z, Gupta H, Wu G, Li D (2016) Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on the hydrology and ecology of the Yangtze River. Water 8(12):590

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

SP acknowledges funding from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Grant 2019M651565 and appreciates Dr Ergang Lian (State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University) for discussion on the manuscript. We acknowledge two anonymous reviewers for their critical and constructive reviews which significantly improved the quality of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by Postdoctoral Research Foundation of China [Grant No. 2019M651565]. No external funding was obtained for this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China

    S. Panwar & S. Yang

Authors
  1. S. Panwar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Panwar.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Sujay Kaushal.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This pdf does not show the corrections that were made, it is an old version of the first proof.

The original version of this article was revised: The PDF version of this originally published article was the uncorrected proof; it has now been replaced by the corrected version.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 29 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Panwar, S., Yang, S. Influence of Three Gorges Dam and drought on particulate organic carbon flux and its source in the lower Yangtze River. Biogeochemistry 158, 269–284 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-022-00889-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-022-00889-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation