The effects of human activities, climatic conditions and land-use factors on water resources development in huai river basin northeast china

In 2004, Huai River Basin’s total gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at 1.05 trillion Yuan, which is 148% higher than 1994 records. It is a preponderantly evolving area in China. The numbers of industries serviced by the Huai River Basin are continuously on the increase including paper industry, production of coal chemical, textiles and food processing. One major industry having unprecedented growth on the basis of basin is the agriculture, which has been used to produce rice, wheat, soya beans, and cotton. The basin spreads its tributaries to four main cities including Luohe, Zhenghou, Zhoukou and Bengbu. Again, there are several infrastructural lands such as sluices, dams and other water project constructions.1,2 At the heart of the Huai River Basin is droughts controls system which is made up of over 5000 sluices and 57000 reservoirs.3 Obviously, Huai River Basin facing several common issues regarding infrastructure around the world. Apart from using certain tributaries as source of water supply for populace; The basin is highly susceptible to pollution from chemical, metal and organic substances. Agricultural practices cause pollution due to chemical wastes washed-off from fertilized land. Similarly, organic and metal wastes are generated by industries around the basin. In addition, most of the cities surrounding the basin whose huge piles of untreated sewages are dumbed or eventually washed-off into it.4 In 2009, sewage of over 8.6 billion m3 was discharged into the Huai River whose 78% capacity were short of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) required combinations in drinking water.5 As expected, the uncontrolled pollution in river is serious concerned throughout the world. According to studies conducted by3,6–8 an estimated 200 or more severe water pollution happened throughout the Huai river basin channels.6–8 There is presence of organic pollution prevailed in Huai River especially in tributaries such as Jialu River9 and the Jiangsu.7,10,11 Nevertheless, much is not done in terms of the effects of hydrochemistry caused by human actions on the Huai River. In another study,3 investigated the Huai River’s ion chemistry control mechanisms; but, no mention was made to specific statistics for dry season situation. Consequently, a sampling campaign was embarked upon in middle of 2009 which is dry season in order to identify the hydrochemistry in the upper spreads of Bengbu Sluice in Huai River Basin.