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Case Study Lake Dianchi

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Case Study Lake Dianchi
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Agricultural Non-point Source Water Pollution Caused Eutrophication of Dianchi Lake in China and Possible Solutions

Abstract: Eutrophication is a big problem around the world and especially in China where laws and regulations are not followed in rural areas. This is the case in Kunming, Yunnan, China at Lake Dianchi where eutrophication is the highest in the country. This case study will set up to study the effects of phosphate in the lake, the quantity of phosphate, and the possible source of the phosphate. From there the effects of plant and animal life will be discussed as well as the availability of water to be used for agriculture and potability of the water. Solutions will then be considered that can change the lake from eutrophic conditions to that of tropic ones.

Introduction: The intent of this case study is to determine the severity of eutrophication (being the over enrichment of nutrients in a body of water, can be phosphorus or nitrogen, phosphorus will be the focus of the Lake Dianchi study) in the Dianchi Lake and to postulate possible, viable and efficient solutions. The Dianchi Lake has received a lot of wastewater from 1988-2000[4]; this was a time of growing pollution to the lake and as time goes by it is only getting worse. Lake Dianchi is shown in figure 4.1 below as an aerial view in the blue. The main source of the pollutant is from agricultural runoff of the surrounding area of the lake. One thing to note is that phosphorus is one of the leading causes of eutrophication in the body of water, just above nitrogen. This pollution is due to national regulation not being met because of the isolation of the area from any big city or government. The reason the lake is becoming eutrophic is because inorganic fertilizers containing high amounts of phosphate are being used, causing the soil to have too much nutrients. The solutions provided will be ones that include national regulations and incentives and also natural



References: 1. Edwards, Clive Arthur. Sustainable agricultural systems. 1st. United States of America: 1990. 254. Print. 2. Huang, Yingna, Tianzhu Zhang, Siyu Zeng, and Jining Chen. "Policy Research on Agricultural Non-point Source Water Pollution Control in Dianchi Lake Area of China." 2004. Third World Congress of Environmental and Resource Economists, Web. 2 Nov 2009. 3. Liu, Y. 2005. Phosphorus Flows in China: Physical Profiles and Environmental Regulation. PhD Thesis, Environmental Policy Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 4. Xiangcan, Jin, Li Wang, and He Liping. "Lake Dianchi Experience and Lessons Learned Brief." 2006. Jin Xiangcan, Web. 2 Nov 2009. 5. Sharpley, Andrew N. "Soil Phosphorus Extracted By Iron-Aluminum-Oxide-Impregnated Filter Paper." 07 Jan 1991. National Agriculture Water Quality Lab, Web. 17 Nov 2009. 6. Zhang, Nai-Ming et al. "Factors Influencing Runoff P Losses from Farmlands of the Dianchi Lake Watershed in Yunnan, China." Pedosphere 14.2 (2004): 259-262. Web. 17 Nov 2009.

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