Changjiang Riverine and Estuarine Hydro-morphodynamic Processes: In the Context of Anthropocene Era

The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the morphodynamic process of the Changjiang River from upstream to estuary in the Anthropocene, highlighting the river's intensive human interference and dramatic changes. It emphasizes the influences of dam construction upstream on the hydrology and geomorphology of the middle-lower reach and the dominance of local land reclamation, navigation, and dredging in the estuarine channel. The book also highlights the potential risk of river-estuary deltas in the future due to acceleration adjustment in both material and dynamics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 358 pages
Publication date: 09 August 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

The Changjiang River, as the longest river in China, has played a vital role in nurturing Chinese civilization for countless years, providing abundant natural resources. However, recent evidence suggests that the river has undergone significant changes due to human interference during the Anthropocene period. These changes include unprecedented phenomena such as "no flood in flood season, no dry in dry season" in discharge, "less flood in flood season, more dry in dry season" in sediment, riverbed shifts from accretion to erosion, lakes in the middle-lower reach transitioning from sediment sinks to sources, estuarine tidal flats exhibiting self-organization characteristics and maintaining the current accretion state, estuarine branches connecting to the sea displaying distinct morphodynamic patterns, and depocenters of the submerged delta indicating periodic shifts.

The book emphasizes that the construction of dams upstream, notably the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydraulic engineering project, has had a significant impact on the hydrology and geomorphology of the middle-lower reach of the Changjiang River. While it has had a slight effect on estuarine delta development, it has exerted a substantial influence on the river's flow patterns.

The geomorphological structure of the estuarine channel in the Changjiang River is primarily shaped by local land reclamation, navigation, and dredging activities. These human interventions have played a crucial role in shaping the river's morphology and facilitating its economic development.

This book serves as a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the morphodynamic process of the Changjiang River from upstream to estuary in the Anthropocene. It provides valuable insights into the river-estuary morphodynamics of the Changjiang River and sheds light on the general features of global mega rivers under human interference as well as their own response mechanisms. Furthermore, the book highlights the potential risk of river-estuary deltas in the future, as both material and dynamics are experiencing acceleration adjustment.

In conclusion, the Changjiang River, as China's longest river, has undergone significant changes due to human interference during the Anthropocene period. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of these changes, highlighting the influences of dam construction upstream, the geomorphological structure of the estuarine channel, and the potential risks associated with river-estuary deltas. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders interested in understanding the dynamics and evolution of rivers and their estuaries in the context of human-induced environmental change.

Weight: 581g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811637735
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021