Hydrogeochemistry of Urban Floodplain Aquifer Under the Influence of Contaminated River Seepage in Delhi (India)

Hydrogeochemical and hydrodynamic surface/groundwater interactions were investigated at the urban floodplain aquifer in Delhi, India. The heavily polluted Yamuna River is in hydraulic contact to the groundwater and river seepage results in a contamination plume. A conceptual redox zonation was developed based on the occurrence or absence of terminal electron acceptors. The redox zonation shows an inverted zonation from sulphate-reducing conditions close to the river over manganese- and iron-reducing conditions to a mixed oxic/suboxic zone. This study shows that the occurrence of problematic substances such as ammonium and arsenic in the groundwater is a consequence of the high load of untreated sewage in the river in combination with losing river conditions. Sequential extraction of aquifer material was performed to obtain information on geochemical availability of arsenic associated with different mineral phases and binding forms. Geogenic and anthropogenic arsenic sources contribute to overall arsenic concentration, and arsenic is found to be attributed mainly to amorphous iron oxide and sulphidic phases in the sediment. The contamination plume at the urban floodplain aquifer makes the groundwater unfit for drinking water purposes.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987115000432

The style of active tectonic on the deformation and characterization of fluvial landscape has been investigated on three typical skrike-slip fault zones of the Ajay-Damodar Interfluve(ADI) in Eastern India through field mapping,structural analysis and examination of digital topography(ASTER-30 m),multispectral imageries,and Google Earth images,Channel morphology in Quaternary sediment is more deformed than Cenozoic lateritic tract and igneous rock system by the neotectonic activities,The structural and lithological controls on the river system in ADI region are reflected by distinct drainage patterns,abrupt change in flow direction,offset river channels,straight river lines,ponded river channel,marshy lands,sag ponds,palaeo-channels,alluvial fans,meander cutoffs,multi-terrace river valley,incised compressed meander,convexity of channel bed slope and knick points in longitudinal profile,Seven morphotectonic indices have been used to infer the role of neotectonic on the modification of channel morphology,A tectonic index map for the ADI region has been prepared by the integration of used morphotectonic indices,which is also calibrated by Bouguer gravity anomaly data and field investigation.     

Morphotectonic Appraisal of Yamuna River Basin in Headwater Region: A Relative Active Tectonics Purview

In the present paper integrated appraisals of landform evolution and their geomorphic features, drainage networks across the upper part of Yamuna river basin have been attempted by using various geomorphic indices such as watershed, drainage density (D), drainage texture, stream-gradient index (SL), hypsometric integral (HI), drainage basin asymmetry (AF), mountain front sinuosity (Smf), sinuosity index (SI), valley floor height and width ratio (Vf) and data of historical earthquakes in characterizing the basin in view of relative index of active tectonics (RIAT) on DEM in geographic information systems (GIS) environment to assess the influence of recent tectonics on geomorphologic growth of the basin.The substantiated RIAT classes through some field observations and corroborated by recent seismicity reveal the recent activation of Yamuna tear faults in the basin with delineation of four RIAT classes such as class-1 (inactive 9.8% of the area), class-2 (low active; 16.40% of the area), class-3 (moderately active; 42.38% of the area) and class-4 (very active; 31.62%). The results suggest that the Himalayan frontal thrust (HFT) and Yamuna tear (YT) located in the basin is morphogenic in nature and got activated several times as evidenced by number of seismic activities in the basin and adjoining regions. The incision, and sharp turning of rivers, crenulations and warping of cross beddings/laminations and silt/clay beds and lenses, megascopic and mesoscopic faulting in sediment sequences suggest a very active nature of the HFT and YT till date in association with three prolific microseismogenic weak zones These active discontinuities appear to support the formation and development of different deformational features in sediment sequences which may be indirectly related to subduction and underthrusting of Indian plate under Eurasian plate below the Himalayan mountain chain.     

Holocene tectono-geomorphic evolution of Haryana plains,Western Ganga plain,India

Haryana plain is the drainage divide between the Ganga plain in the east and the Indus plain in the west. Being a part of the Himalayan foreland, its geomorphology, sedimentation processes, and tectonism are broadly controlled by the Himalayan tectonics. Soil and geomorphological mapping in Haryana plain bring out geomorphic features such as paleochannels, various active drainage patterns, and landforms such as old fluvial plains, floodplains, piedmonts, pediments, terminal fans, and eolian plains. Based on the degree of soil development, and Optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages, the soil-geomorphic units were grouped into six members (QIMS-I to VI) (Quaternary Indus Morphostratigraphic Sequence) of a morphostratigraphic sequence: QIMS-VI 9.86–5.38 Ka, QIMS-V 5.38–4.45 Ka, QIMS-IV 4.45–3.60 Ka, QIMS-III 3.60–2.91 Ka, QIMS-II <?2.91–1.52 Ka, and QIMS-I <?1.52 Ka. OSL chronology of different geomorphic features suggests six episodes of tectono-geomorphic evolution in the region since 10 Ka. Neotectonic features such as nine faults, two lineaments, and five fault-bounded tectonic blocks have been identified. Independent tilting and sagging of the blocks in response to neotectonics have resulted in modification of landforms, depositional processes, and hydro-geomorphology of the region. Major rivers like the Yamuna, the Ghaggar, and the Sutlej show different episodes of shifting of their courses. Lineament controlled few extinct channels have been recorded between 20 and 25 m depth below the surface in the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiles. These buried channels are aligned along the paleo-course of the Lost Saraswati River interpreted from the existing literature and hence are considered as the course of the lost river. Seven terminal fans have been formed on the downthrown blocks of the associated faults. The Markanda Terminal Fan, the first of such features described, is indeed a splay terminal fan and was formed by a splay distributary system of the Markanda River. Association of three terminal fans of different ages with the Karnal fault indicates the segment-wise development of the fault from west to east. Also, comparison with other such studies in the Ganga plain to further east suggests that the terminal fans formed by streams with distributary drainage pattern occur only in semiarid regions as in the present area and thus are indicators of semiarid climate/paleoclimate. Though the whole region is tectonically active, the region between the Rohtak fault and Hisar fault is most active at present signified by the concentration of earthquake epicenters.     

中国土地利用/覆盖变化的生态环境安全响应与调控

中国从20世纪70年代末实施了前所未有的改革开放政策,巨大的境外投资、有偿转让使用与土地联产承包政策在广大城乡的推行,引致了快速的城市化与经济增长过程,城市化水平增长15%,GDP平均每年增长超过9%,城市化土地面积增长2%。与此相应,严重的生态环境灾害相继发生,1994年淮河特大污染事件;1997年黄河断流227天;1998年发生长江、嫩江流域特大水灾;2000年发生严重影响中国首都北京及韩国、日本的12次沙尘暴;2004年,淮河流域再次发生严重污染事件。综合分析表明,土地利用/覆盖格局的巨大变化、城市化过程的加速、乡镇企业的迅猛发展成为其主因。一些案例研究表明,重建生态环境安全条件下的中国土地利用/覆盖格局,制定与生态环境安全水平友好的国家土地利用政策,不仅有利于改善中国生态环境安全水平,还将促进其可持续发展,并有益于亚洲及世界生态环境的改良。     

Heavy metal pollution in freshly deposited sediments of the Yamuna River (the Ganges River tributary): a case study from Delhi and Agra urban centres, India

 The Yamuna River sediments, collected from Delhi and Agra urban centres, were analysed for concentration and distribution of nine heavy metals by means of atomic adsorption spectrometry. Total metal contents varied in the following ranges (in mg/kg): Cr (157–817), Mn (515–1015), Fe (28,700–45,300), Co(11.7–28.4), Ni (40–538), Cu (40–1204), Zn (107–1974), Pb (22–856) and Cd (0.50–114.8). The degree of metal enrichment was compared with the average shale concentration and shows exceptionally high values for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in both urban centres. In the total heavy metal concentration, anthropogenic input contains 70% Cr, 74% Cu, 59% Zn, 46% Pb, 90% Cd in Delhi and 61% Cr, 23% Ni, 71% Cu, 72% Zn, 63% Pb, 94% Cd in Agra. A significant correlation was observed between increasing Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cu concentrations with increasing total sediment carbon and total sediment sulfur content. Based on the Müller's geoaccumulation index, the quality of the river sediments can be regarded as being moderately polluted to very highly polluted with Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in the Delhi and Agra urban centres. The present sediment analysis, therefore, plays an important role in environmental measures for the Yamuna River and the planning of these city centres. Received: 21 June 1999 · Accepted: 1 October 1999     

Estimation of snow and glacial melt contribution through stable isotopes and assessment of its impact on river morphology through stream power approach in two Himalayan river basins

The impact of increased temperature on the Third Pole, as the Himalayas is referred to, and the likely cascading impacts on the general downstream hydrology have been widely noted. However, the impact on fluvial geomorphology has not received specific attention. Change in the glacial domain in terms of melt increase will change discharge and sediment flux into fluvial system, which will induce changes in fluvial processes and forms. The present work attempts to study this process-based glacio-fluvial coupling in the two neighbouring glaciated river basins in the Northwest Himalaya, viz., the Sutlej and the Yamuna river basins till the mountain front. A total of 194 samples of river, tributary and groundwater of pre- and post-monsoon seasons in the two river basins were analysed for stable isotopes. The trend of δ¹⁸O and electrical conductivity along the mainstream gives qualitative idea on the influence of headwaters in the downstream of the catchment thereby allowing inference on melt contribution. Further, two component mixing model using stable oxygen isotope of two seasons water samples showed that melt contributes about 41.1–66.8 and 6.6–10.6% at different points to the total river discharge in the Sutlej and the Tons River (the glaciated, major tributary of the Yamuna River) basins, respectively. For different scenarios of increase in melt, stream power increase in the Sutlej River basin is significant as opposed to the Tons River. River channel in the Sutlej River basin will be significantly more impacted in comparison with the Yamuna River system.     

Application of drainage basin morphotectonic analysis for assessment of tectonic activities over two regional structures of the northeast India

The analysis of drainage basin morphotectonic indices is applied in assessment of the influence of tectonic activity on thirteen selected drainage basins of the streams having linear courses and flowing over two very prominent regional structures of northeast India, viz. the Belt of Schuppen and the Dauki fault. Such analysis has been made in order to assess the influence of tectonic activity of these structures on the morphology of the drainage basins of those streams.The different morphotectonic indices considered are: Basin elongation ratio, hypsometric integral, steepness index and profile concavity, drainage basin asymmetry, valley floor width to valley height ratio, longitudinal profiles, stream length gradient index and mountain front sinuosity. Results of the analysis of the morphotectonic indices of the drainage basins infer that morphology of both the streams and drainage basins have been influenced by the regional structures and the present tectonic status of these two structures varies from active to slightly active phase. No significant influence of lithology is seen in the distribution pattern of the anomalous knick points along the longitudinal profiles. The study also reveals that presently the state of tectonic activity is not uniform within the same regional structure and the Belt of Schuppen is relatively more active as compared to the Dauki fault.     

北京城市洪涝问题与成因分析

利用社会经济统计数据和水文气象资料,探讨城市化背景下北京城市洪涝特征、形成机制及影响因素。近50年来城市内涝逐渐成为北京洪涝灾害的主要类型,随着城市化迅猛发展,城市内涝积水点数量在时间上表现为显著增加趋势,在空间上呈现出由内环逐步向外环扩张趋势,与城市化发展空间格局关系密切。从水循环的角度分析城市洪涝形成机制,指出区域气候变化和城市化发展改变了城市降水格局,汛期降水量和极端降水事件呈现下降趋势,但城区短历时强降水事件呈现增加态势;城市化发展改变了区域下垫面条件、城市流域产汇流特性和城市排水格局,进而影响了区域水循环过程和水量分配,在一定程度上增加了城市洪涝灾害风险;同时城市基础设施建设水平不足、排水排涝标准偏低、应急管理能力不足等因素,导致城市洪涝发生风险增加,降低了城市洪涝综合应对能力。     

Morphometrical analysis of two tropical mountain river basins of contrasting environmental settings, the southern Western Ghats, India

The morphometric analysis of river basins represents a simple procedure to describe hydrologic and geomorphic processes operating on a basin scale. A morphometric analysis was carried out to evaluate the drainage characteristics of two adjoining, mountain river basins of the southern Western Ghats, India, Muthirapuzha River Basin (MRB) in the western slopes and Pambar River Basin (PRB) in the eastern slopes. The basins, forming a part of the Proterozoic, high-grade, Southern Granulite Terrain of the Peninsular India, are carved out of a terrain dominantly made of granite- and hornblende-biotite gneisses. The Western Ghats, forming the basin divide, significantly influences the regional climate (i.e., humid climate in MRB, while semi-arid in PRB). The Survey of India topographic maps (1:50,000) and Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission digital elevation data were used as the base for delineation and analysis. Both river basins are of 6th order and comparable in basin geometry. The drainage patterns and linear alignment of the drainage networks suggest the influence of structural elements. The Rb of either basins failed to highlight the structural controls on drainage organization, which might be a result of the elongated basin shape. The irregular trends in Rb between various stream orders suggest the influence of geology and relief on drainage branching. The Dd values designate the basins as moderate- to well-drained with lower infiltration rates. The overall increasing trend of Rl between successive stream orders suggests a geomorphic maturity of either basins and confirmed by the characteristic I _hyp values. The Re values imply an elongate shape for both MRB and PRB and subsequently lower vulnerability to flash floods and hence, easier flood management. The relatively higher Rr of PRB is an indicative of comparatively steeply sloping terrain and consequently higher intensity of erosion processes. Further, the derivatives of digital elevation data (slope, aspect, topographic wetness index, and stream power index), showing significant differences between MRB and PRB, are useful in soil conservation plans. The study highlighted the variation in morphometric parameters with respect to the dissimilarities in topography and climate.     

涪江上游流域盆地地貌特征及构造指示意义

对涪江上游流域盆地地貌特征及成因进行研究,有助于揭示青藏高原东缘晚新生代以来新构造活动的差异性。本文以ArcGIS水文分析模块为技术平台,在研究区域内系统提取涪江上游流域盆地地表水系网络和涪江干流东西两侧36个亚流域盆地,并对亚流域盆地面积、周长、水系总长度、水系分支比、流域盆地演化阶段进行统计分析,结果表明,涪江干流河道东西两侧典型地貌参数存在显著差异。通过对该区域构造运动、岩石抗侵蚀能力、降水特征等几方面因素与河流下切过程相关性的分析可知,降水条件和岩性差异并不是涪江上游亚流域盆地不对称发育的主要影响因素,该区域断裂活动导致的地形不对称分布格局及岩层破碎程度的差异是涪江上游流域地貌差异演化的主控因素。另外,涪江上游干流展布呈现出两个特征:涪江干流河道因雪山断裂、北川-映秀断裂、彭县-灌县断裂的右旋(或左旋)走滑作用而沿断裂发生同步弯曲;涪江干流河道在北川-映秀断裂北侧由西北-东南流向转变为近正南流向,究其原因,主要是龙门山断裂带3条主干断裂的区域性右旋走滑活动驱动该区域物质产生相应右旋运动,从而使长期处于断层右旋作用控制之下的涪江干流河道发生转向。     

Prioritization of sub-watersheds for conservation measures in a semi arid watershed using remote sensing and GIS

Land and water resources development plans are generally adopted at watershed level. Delineation of watersheds and their prioritization within large river basins requires host of terrain parameters to be studied and analysed. Chopan watershed in Central India has been studied for sub-watershed delineation and prioritization based on drainage morphometry, land use/land cover and sediment yield index analysis using remote sensing and GIS techniques. The watershed was demarcated into five sub-watersheds on the basis of drainage flow directions, contour value, slope, elevation. Geocoded satellite data of 1989 and 2001 on 1:50 000 scale were visually interpreted to prepare land use/land cover and drainage maps which were later digitized using Arcview/ArcGIS. Linear and shape aspects of the sub-watersheds were computed and used for prioritization. The results show widespread variation in drainage characteristics, land cover changes and sediment yield rates across sub-watersheds. On the basis of morphometric, land use/land cover change and sediment yield index, sub-watersheds were grouped into low, medium and high priority. A correlation of results show that SW1 and SW5 are common sub-watersheds falling under high and low priority based on morphometric, land use change analysis and SYI. The priority list of sub-watersheds will be crucial for decision making and implementation of land and water resource conservation projects.     

西昆仑山前冲断带晚新生代构造地貌特征

在卫片解译、DEM数据处理、地形图分析与剖面制作的基础上,结合野外构造地貌考察与观测,对西昆仑山前冲断带的构造地貌特征进行了定量、半定量的研究。沿山前发育系统的水系变化、冲积扇变化、不对称背斜、大规模正断裂、不对称河流阶地等典型的构造地貌,表明这条由南向北逆冲的冲断带在扩展过程中存在着由西向东迁移的特征。冲断带的东西分段以桑株河为界,以西发育固满背斜,其构造样式为向北的逆冲伴随向南的反冲;以东发育一系列不对称的背斜,表现出明显的由南向北逆冲的特征,地表无明显的反冲构造出现。利用生长地层和河流阶地估算了西昆仑山的隆升速率:晚上新世—早更新世以来的最低隆升速率为0.21～0.25mm/a,100ka以来的隆升速率为1.5mm/a。     

Research and Understanding of the Evolution of the Yellow River Valley in Lanzhou

As the turning point of the Yellow River flowing from the Tibetan Plateau to the Loess Plateau, the valley evolution of Lanzhou Basin is of great significance to the study of the evolution of the Yellow River system in different geomorphic units. The evolution of the Yellow River Valley in Lanzhou has been studied for nearly 100 years. In the process of research, important research results and understandings have been obtained as follows: \mathrm{①} The denudation surface develops above the Yellow River Valley in Lanzhou Basin, and the broad and continuous 9-level terrace develops in the valley. The age of the denudation surface and 9-level Yellow River terrace was systematically determined by using a variety of dating techniques. \mathrm{②} The development pattern of the strath terraces of the Yellow River in Lanzhou was put forward. Under the background of long-term ground uplift, climate change controls the age of terrace formation, and the rate of uplift affects the number of terrace. \mathrm{③} The age of the highest terrace of the Yellow River in the basins from Lanzhou to the upper reaches of the Yellow River is gradually younger. It is revealed that the formation of the present pattern in the upper reach of the Yellow River is the result of the headward erosion from Lanzhou Basin and the drainage intergration of the internal flow basin. At the same time, the chronology of terrace sequence still needs to be deepened, the characteristics of regional tectonic uplift and deformation are lack of direct evidence, the development pattern of terrace needs to be verified by model simulation, the geomorphic response of drainage change is not clear, and the river process recorded by the deposition of terrace flood plain is lack of attention. All those issues will be the focus of future research.     

Estimation of S-wave site response in and around Delhi region from weak motion data

Site response in and around Delhi is studied using digital seismograms recorded by a thirteen-station VSAT-based 24-bit digital Delhi telemetry network of the India Meteorological Department. Nine local (M _l ≥ 2.3) and nine regional (M _l ≥ 3.9) earthquakes are selected for the estimation of site amplification factor using the classical standard spectral ratio for regional events (Ridge Delhi Observatory being the reference station), normalized standard spectral ratio for local events, horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio or receiver function and the generalized inversion techniques in the frequency range of 0.5 to 7.5 Hz. Site response curves at all the thirteen stations exhibit station to station variation of the site amplification factor reflecting the changes in geologic/geotectonic/soil conditions. A comparison of the site response values obtained by the generalized inversion with those computed using receiver function technique shows a large scatter even though the pattern of the curves remain more or less similar. However, the site effects computed by generalized inversion and standard spectral ratio exhibit a good 1:1 correspondence. The peaks yielded by all the methods have been observed to occur at the same frequencies. It is evident that the softer fluvial deposits of the newer alluvium of the east Yamuna sector show steeper site amplification gradient at lower frequencies, while the greater Delhi experiences moderate site amplification. The variation of site response corroborates the abrupt changes in intensity from one location to another due to local site condition.     

Assessing the resilience of Delhi to climate-related disasters: a comprehensive approach

The study addresses disaster risks in Delhi through a resilience approach. It utilizes the Climate Disaster Resilience Index (CDRI) tool, which assesses disaster resilience from five dimensions: physical, social, economic, institutional, and natural. Each dimension comprises 5 parameters, and each parameter consists of 5 variables. The study is carried out in the nine revenue districts of Delhi and reveals that East Delhi is least resilient and New Delhi is most resilient. The CDRI analysis in East Delhi points out the urgent need to focus on key parameters such as housing and land use, population, intensity and frequency of natural hazards, ecosystem services, and land use in natural terms. On the other hand, New Delhi is the most resilient due to all five dimensions, where most significant parameters responsible for its high resilience are housing and land use, population, income, employment, intensity and frequency of natural hazards, ecosystem services, and land use in natural terms. In addition, the overall results of all nine districts show an inverse relationship between resilience score and population density. For example, districts with higher population density show low resilience and vice versa. Moreover, districts located on hazard-prone areas show low resilience. For example, East Delhi and North East Delhi scored low resilience because they both are situated on the Yamuna flood catchment areas. The study further develops key suggestions that are required to address disaster risk in all nine districts of Delhi and discusses future implications of CDRI to address city??s vulnerability. The approach??s distinctness is reflected through its consideration of micro-level diversities and presents some implications to resilience.     

River drainage reorientation during placer gold accumulation, southern New Zealand

Many alluvial placer deposits around the world occur in river systems that have been affected by tectonic events, causing drainage reorientation and severance of links between placers and their sources. This study documents tectonic rejuvenation of topography in the Otago giant placer goldfield, New Zealand, which has resulted in numerous river capture and drainage reorientation events. These events have induced changes to gold transport directions and numerous stages of separation of detrital gold from primary sources. Goldfield-wide reconstructions of drainage patterns through time are as yet only possible for Miocene–Recent, and numerous earlier drainage changes back to Cretaceous primary orogenic mineralisation are probable. Variations in basement lithologies permit auriferous gravel provenance determinations, facilitating paleodrainage pattern reconstruction and documentation of river capture events. River capture events and timing of these events for gold-bearing paleodrainages have also been documented using genetic divergences of populations of freshwater galaxiid fish that were isolated by drainage reorientation. Gold-bearing quartz pebble conglomerates had a southeastward drainage in the Miocene. This was disrupted in the Pliocene by mountain range uplift and gold placer recycling, with deposition of lithic conglomerates containing only minor gold placers. The most dramatic changes in gold transport directions occurred through the Quaternary, as antiformal ranges grew across the pre-existing drainages. Miocene and Pliocene placers were recycled with numerous local (1–10 km scale) changes in river directions and numerous capture events. Large axial rivers were segmented into a more complex drainage pattern, and on-going river capture resulted in growth of the main Clutha River catchment at the expense of neighbouring catchments. The most productive placers developed in the Clutha River in late Quaternary when increased discharge from captured mountain catchments enhanced gold transport and concentration. Similar river drainage reorientation has occurred in other placer fields around the world, but the lack of preserved evidence inhibits documentation of most such changes.     

Dynamic groundwater resources of National Capital Territory,Delhi: assessment,development and management options

Groundwater is one of the important source of water supply to meet the requirements of National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, India which is a fast developing urban conglomeration. An assessment of dynamic groundwater resources of NCT Delhi has been attempted based on the methodology known as Ground Water Resources Estimation Methodology—1997. The methodology includes assessment of annual replenishable groundwater resources using water level fluctuation approach and empirical norms, estimation of the annual quantity of groundwater withdrawal and categorization of the assessment units based on the status of groundwater utilization and water level trend. Annual replenishable groundwater resources of NCT Delhi is about 297 million cubic meter (mcm) while the annual groundwater draft is about 480 mcm. This is because of over-exploitation of replenishable resources in seven out of nine districts of the Capital Territory. Based on the assessment of dynamic groundwater resources, a broad groundwater management plan has been proposed in this paper. This include augmentation of groundwater resources through rain water harvesting schemes to be implemented on a large scale, regulation on groundwater withdrawal in vulnerable areas, development of Yamuna flood plain aquifer and declaration of Delhi ridge as groundwater sanctuary.     

Geomorphic constraints on Middle Yangtze River reversal in eastern Sichuan Basin,China

The Yangtze, the longest river in Asia, was hypothesized to be assembled through a series of Cenozoic capture events, such as the reversal of Middle Yangtze River and the capture of Upper Yangtze River, but the history remains largely unknown. Here, we present new geomorphic observations in the structural context of the eastern Sichuan Basin, namely the Eastern Sichuan fold belt, and identify an important drainage divide along the “midline” of this arc-shape fold belt. Based on longitudinal profile analysis, we find that the river capture events more likely occurred in the syncline valleys of low-relief landscape. Our results yield a new perspective on Middle Yangtze River reversal, and we propose that the “midline” drainage divide, rather than the Three Gorges, was the starting site of Middle Yangtze River reversal. In this manner, the reversal could have been accomplished by a sequence of river reversal over range-parallel segments in syncline valleys with less impact on the pre-existing drainage system in eastern Sichuan Basin.     

Responses of water quality to land use in riparian buffers: a case study of Huangpu River,China

Along with the continuous urbanization process, massive riparian buffers are developed to satisfy the increasing demands for flood protection and economic growth. Such changes of land use types and landscape patterns pose a significant challenge to the protection of the eco-system of urban rivers. This research concentrates on revealing the potential relation between the water quality of the urban river and land characteristics including land use types and landscape patterns of the riparian area and discusses if the relationship varies with spatial scales. The study area of this research are the 800 m riparian buffer of the six river water quality monitoring sections along Huangpu River. Based on the long-term monthly collection data of six monitoring points in Huangpu River, Shanghai, China, and the land use data of 100 m downstream of 1 km upstream of the monitoring point. Using landscape indicators, GIS spatial analysis, and statistical methods, the responses of land use and landscape patterns to water quality in different scales are obtained. Results show that: (1) Urban Land (UL) and Agricultural Land (AL) have an enormous negative contribution to each buffer, which is the primary non-point source pollution and influencing factor. (2) The active contribution of Wetland (WL) and Forestry Land (FL) is the most significant in the small range buffer of 0–200 m. (3) The negative effect of Industrial Land (IL) on water quality is only significant in the small buffer. (4) The effect of landscape pattern on water quality is more significant on the large spatial scale than the small scale. At the same time, this paper extends the conclusion to discuss the land use of the 800 m buffer zone of Huang River by using point to the area, proving that the research result is helpful for the political decision of urban management and provides suggestions for the land optimization of riparian buffers.