The ‘YZ’ of Water Pollution
May 26, 2008
Y
The Yellow River also known as ‘Chinas Sorrow’ is the second longest river in China running 5,464 kilometres. As most of the rivers in China, the river is heavily polluted and is often used by factories as dumping ground.
Although it is much polluted and frequently turns red in areas, it is not the pollution that has earned it its name. In fact the river is known for flooding which has a huge impact on the people living nearby. There are records dating back to 600 years BC, with stories about the river running over its banks. That is why people call it ‘China’s Sorrow’.
Chemicals are released into this and all other Chinese rivers everyday. This means that today nearly all the surface water in China is classified as undrinkable. Sewage released in the Yellow River is often the source of strange pollution and fish kills. Every year the river carries 1.3 billion tons of silt from the Loess Plateau downstream, of which 400 million tons are washed down to the river’s lower reaches. The pollution issue is not looking good and the health of the river is on the decline
Z
Zannichellia palustris is the Latin name for horned pondweed. It is a plant that is found both in America and throughout Europe in lakes, streams ponds and the sea. It growths mostly in shallow water, but have been found on depths down to 5m. It can be found in the sea although the water has to be very brackish (low in salt) if the plant is to survive. It is normally recognised as a freshwater plant and growths in early spring through to June.
Its environmental impact is somewhat limited to being a food source for other animals. But it is actually a plant which also oxygenates the water well, limiting the growth of dangerous algae.
The physical characteristics of the plant are its long thin leaves. They are 5 – 10cm long but are less than 1mm thick.
This is the last part of my series on water pollution. You can read all 9 parts of this series under the ABC Series category.
Entry Filed under: ABC Series, Water, Water Pollution. Tags: china, pondweed, yellow river.
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