Jayi: UGLY human impacts

Impacts of the Dam

Du Bin for New York Times

Even before the completion of the dam in 2006, the construction had already triggered environmental impacts on the land and people. 

Like I said in the previous post, the construction had replaced approximately 1.3 million people, and it is the No.10 on the world record. Besides the fact that it is the world largest dam, the construction is also the biggest consumer in stone, concrete, steel, etc. More importantly, other than its benefits such as generating electricity and preventing flooding, its negative impacts on environment and the ecosystem are significant as well. It has been called the world most notorious dam. 

1. Water quality, floating trash, pollution

Total 6.19 million tons of marine pollution flowed into the Yangtze River in 2003. Salinity also increased from 28% to 29.14%. 

2. Wildlife disruption- copper, zinc, lead and ammonium

Pollution leads to ecological disruption and economic problems. Physical barriers of the dam had impacts on the fishing economy. Moreover, there are 47 endangered species around the Three Gorges Dam, including Chinese River Dolphin and the Chinese Sturgeon. 

 Chinese Sturgeon

Chinese River Dolphin 

3. Geological diaster and degration- Earthquakes and landslides

As the dam was built in the earthquake zone, it is controversy that the excessive water holding back on the dam had caused enormous landslides and earthquakes. 

Sichuan earthquake, 5.12.08

landslide

China "RED" sea- by China Foto Press/ Barcroft Media 

4.Imbalance of upstream and drought downstream 

drought in 2011, by Britrob

It is 40% below average rainfall in the first quarter of 2011. The ideal water level of the dam is 175meters, and it would be unable to relieve the drought if the drought would continue in early 2012. The bottom line of the capacity of controlling flood and drought is 145meters. 

5.Relocation of local people

6.Submerge and destruction of historical sites (which I will discuss in later post)

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Reference:
1. http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110525/full/news.2011.315.html
2. http://www.ndhealth.gov/MF/forms/presentations/ThreeGorgesDam.pdf
3. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/world/asia/19dam.html?pagewanted=all
4. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1240762/posts
5. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/19/china-three-gorges-dam
6. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120350566588879809.html
7. http://www.businessinsider.com/three-gorges-dam-drought-2011-5
8. http://www.desdemonadespair.net/2011/05/continued-drought-threatens-three.html
9. http://www1.american.edu/ted/ICE/china-dam-impact.html
10. http://www.springerlink.com/content/p876076274765321/
11.http://www.dhtravel.com/attractionsend.php?id=237