A contrast analysis on the load character of the Changjiang River and the Huanghe River

According to the analysis of grain size, mineral composition and inclusion in quartz grain of the suspended and bed load sampled from the Changjiang (Yangtze) River and the Huanghe (Yellow) River, the authors reveal the differentiation of loads between the two rivers. In the Huanghe River the size of suspended load is coarser than that in the Changjiang River, while the bed load is on the contrary. Through heavy mineral analysis, the biotite content of the Huanghe River loads is much higher than that of the Changjiang River, and the monomorillonite content of the former is about two times higher than the latter. All those may be attributed to the effects of different material sources and hydraulic conditions on load. The analysis of inclusion in quartz grain definitely illustrates the environmental difference of material sources between the two rivers. In the meantime, it provides a new method in seeking source of river load. Subsidized by the National Natural Science Foundation. This paper is attributed to careful guidance from Prof. Wang Ying & Prof. Shi Yunliang.