On August 6th, the kick-off meeting of 'The study of the influence and evaluation of carbon and nitrogen cycle and transport by dams in Southwest rivers in China', a national key research & development (R&D) plan, was held in Tianjin. The program is led by the Institute of Surface-Earth System Science of Tianjin university，in cooperation with Shanghai University, Wuhan Botanical Garden Chinese Academy of Sciences, HoHai University, Institute of Geochemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research.
Prof. LIU Congqiang, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Prof. YUAN Yingjin, Vice President of Tianjin University, attended and addressed the meeting. Prof. WANG Yanxin, President of China University of Geosciences, Prof. CHEN Xi, Asscociate Dean of School of Hydrology and Water Resources of HoHai University, Prof. CHEN Jing’an, Deputy Director of the Institute of Geochemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Prof. WANG Chunyu, Deputy Director of Department of Water Environment, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, were invited for panel discussions.
Hydropower is often used in conjunction with dams to generate electricity at SW China due to hydraulic gradient between upper and lower reaches. The dam changed the hydraulic condition and has impacted the material transportation and water environment. The study focus on the carbon and nitrogen dynamics in cascading impounding rivers, SW China. The scientists plan to assess the effect of change of aquatic environment based on nutrient load analysis, greenhouse gas emission, carbon and nitrogen biogoechemical cycling based on stable isotopes. Then they will provide assessment and feedback for local government to improve environmental management.
