Report On the State of the Environment In China
2005
Index
Preface
Freshwater Environment
Marine Environment
Atmospheric Environment
Acoustic Environment
Solid Wastes
Radiation and Radioactive Environment
Arable Land/Land Resources
Forests
Grassland
Biodiversity
Climate and Natural Disasters
Environmental Management
 

General Situation

 

1.      Water Quality of the Seven Major Rivers

 

In 2005, the water quality of the Yangtze River, Yellow River, Pearl River, Songhua River, Huaihe River, Haihe River and Liaohe River was basically the same as the previous year.

 

Among the 411 surface water monitoring sections in the seven major rivers covered by the National Environmental Monitoring Center (NEMC), those with water quality at Grade I-III, IV-V, and those of the quality inferior to Grade V constituted 41%, 32%, and 27% respectively. Among others, the Pearl River and Yangtze River enjoyed fairly good water quality, Liaohe River, Huaihe River, Yellow River, and Songhua River suffered from poor water quality, and Haihe River was heavily polluted. The major pollutants were ammonia nitrogen, BOD5, permanganate index, and oils.

 Comparison of Water Quality in the Seven Major Rivers in 2005

 

 

Comparison of Water Quality in the Seven Major Rivers in 2005

 

Comparison of Water Quality in the Seven Major Rivers in 2005

Seven Major Rivers

Grade I & II (%)

Grade III (%)

Grade IV (%)

Grade V (%)

Inferior to Grade V (%)

Yangtze River

56

20

11

2

11

Yellow River

7

27

34

7

25

Pearl River

55

21

18

0

6

Songhua River

5

19

45

12

19

Huaihe River

3

14

38

13

32

Haihe River

17

5

18

6

54

Liaohe River

14

16

22

8

40

Total

24

17

25

7

27

 

Among the 100 trans-province sections of the seven major rivers under national environmental monitoring program, 36%, 40%, and 24% fell into Grade I-III, Grade IV-V, or was worse than Grade V respectively. Trans-province river sections of the Haihe River and Huaihe River systems suffered from heavy pollution. 

Comparison of Water Quality in Trans-Province Sections of the Seven Major Rivers in 2005

 

(1) Yangtze River system

 

Water quality of the Yangtze River system was good at large. 76%, 13%, and 11% of the 104 surface water sections under national monitoring program had water quality at Grade I-III, Grade IV-V or failed to meet Grade V respectively. The major pollutants were oils, ammonia nitrogen and BOD5.

 

The mainstream of the Yangtze River enjoyed good water quality, and compared with last year, all sections had no remarkable changes in water quality. The mainstream was slightly polluted in Yunnan and Shanghai Sections despite excellent or good water quality in other sections.

 

In general, the tributaries of the Yangtze River experienced slight pollution. No obvious changes in tributary water quality were observed compared with the previous year. The Yalong River, Jialing River, Hanjiang River, and Wujiang River witnessed excellent water quality, Dadu River, Minjiang River, Xiangjiang River, Yuanjiang River, and Ganjiang River had good water quality (among others, Meishan Section of Minjiang River was heavily polluted, and Nanchang Section of Ganjiang River suffered from moderate pollution), and Tuojiang River was mildly polluted.

 

 

Proportions of Varied Water Quality in the Yangtze River System in 2005

 

The water quality in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of the Yangtze River was excellent, and that of all the six sections under national monitoring program fell into Grade II. No obvious changes of water quality were observed compared with the previous year.

 

Trans-province sections of the Yangtze River enjoyed good water quality. Among the 20 sections, 80% had water quality up to Grade I-III, 15% fell into Grade IV-V, and another 5% failed to meet Grade V. Water quality in these sections did not change much compared with last year. The following sections suffered from poor water quality: Chuhe Section and Chahe Section bordering Anhui Province was worse than Grade V, Xindianpu Section of Baihe River in the boundary of Henan and Hebei Province fell into Grade V, Laochi Section of Fujiang River bordering Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality met Grade IV, and Tieluqiao Section of Jinsha River in the boundary of Yunnan and Sichuan Province was of Grade IV. All the other 16 trans-province sections met or were superior to Grade III national water quality standard.

 

Water Quality of Trans-province Sections of the Yangtze River System in 2005

Region Name

River Name

Section Name

Provinces in the Upper and Lower Reaches of the Section

Grade of Water Quality

2005

2004

Chuzhou

Chuhe River

Chahe

Anhui-Jiangsu

Worse than Grade¢õ

Worse than Grade¢õ

Nanyang

Baihe River

Xindianpu

Henan-Hebei

¢õ

Worse than Grade¢õ

Shuifu

Jinsha River

Tieluqiao

Yunnan-Sichuan

¢ô

¢ô

Suining

Fujiang River

Laochi

Sichuang-Chongqing

¢ô

¢ô

Nanyang

Tanghe River

Meiwan

Henan-Hebei

¢ó

¢ó

Panzhihua

Jinsha River

Longdong

Yunnan-Sichuan

¢ò

¢ñ

Chongqing

Yangtze River

Zhutuo

Sichuan-Chongqing

¢ò

¢ò

Chongqing

Yangtze River

Peishi

Chongqing-Hebei

¢ò

¢ò

Yueyang

Yangtze River

Chenglingji

Hunan-Hebei

¢ò

¢ò

Jiujiang

Yangtze River

Yaogang

Jiangxi -Hebei

¢ò

¢ò

Anqing

Yangtze River

Wanhekou

Jiangxi-Anhui

¢ò

¢ò

Nantong

Yangtze River

Yaogang

Jiangsu-Shanghai

¢ò

¢ò

Guangyuan

Jialing River

Bamiaogou

Gansu-Sichuan

¢ò

¢ò

Yuechi

Qujiang River

Sailongxiang

Sichuan-Chongqing

¢ò

¢ò

Chongqing

Jailing River

Lize

Sichuan-Chongqing

¢ò

¢ò

Chishui

Chishui River

Lianyuxi

Guizhou-Sichuan

¢ò

¢ó

Shiyan

Hanjiang River

Yangwei

Shannxi-Hebei

¢ò

¢ò

Nanjing

Yangtze River

Jiangning

River mouth

Anhui-Jiangsu

¢ñ

¢ò

Tongren

Wujiang River

Yanhe

Guizhou-Chongqing

¢ñ

¢ñ

Wudu

Bailong River

Chouziba

Gansu-Sichuan

¢ñ

¢ñ

 

(2)  Yellow River system

 

The Yellow River system was moderately polluted. Of the 44 surface water sections under national monitoring program, 34%, 41% and 25% respectively fell into Grade I-III, IV-V or worse than Grade V. The major pollutants were oils, ammonia nitrogen and BOD5. 

Proportions of Varied Water Quality in Yellow River System in 2005

 

The mainstream of the Yellow River suffered from mild pollution, and the water quality remained the same with the previous year. Qinghai Section and Gansu Section of the mainstream enjoyed good water quality; Henan Section, Ningxia Section, Shaanxi-Shanxi Section, Baotou Section of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot Section, and Heze Section of Shandong Province were slightly polluted; Wuhai Section of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was under heavy pollution.

 

In general, the tributaries of the Yellow River suffered from heavy pollution, and the water quality remained the same as in the previous year. Yihe River had excellent water quality, and Luohe River enjoyed good water quality. Dahei River, Bahe River, and Qinhe River were slightly polluted; Huangshui River and Yiluo River suffered from moderate pollution, and Weihe River, Fenhe River, Sushui River, and Beiluo River were heavily polluted.

 

The trans-province sections of the Yellow River under national monitoring program had poor water quality. 9%, 55%, and 36% of the 11 trans-province river sections under national monitoring program fell into Grade I-III, Grade IV and V, or was worse than Grade V respectively. The following trans-province sections witnessed poor water quality: Lasengmiao Section bordering Ningxia and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regions in the mainstream of Yellow River failed to meet Grade V; Tongguan Suspension Bridge Section of Weihe River in the boundary of Shaanxi, Henan and Shanxi Province was worse than Grade V; Hejin Bridge section of Fenhe River bordering Shaanxi-Shanxi provinces failed to meet Grade V; Zhangliuzhuang Section of Songshui River bordering Shaanxi and Shanxi Province had water quality poorer than Grade V; Minhe Bridge Section (Huangshui River) in the boundary of Qinghai and Gansu Province fell into Grade V, and other trans-province sections had water quality meeting or better than Grade IV.

 

Water Quality of Trans-province Sections of the Yellow River System in 2005

Region Name

River Name

Section Name

Provinces in the Upper and Lower Reaches of the Section

Grade of Water Quality

2005

2004

Wuhai

Yellow River

Lasengmiao

Ningxia-Inner Mongolia

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Weinan

Weihe River

Tongguan Suspension Bridge

Shaanxi-Henan, Shanxi

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Yuncheng

Fenhe River

Hejin Bridge

Shanxi-Shaanxi, Shanxi

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Yuncheng

Sushui River

Zhangliuzhuang

Shanxi-Shaanxi, Shanxi

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Minhe

Huangshui River

Minhe Bridge

Qinghai-Gansu

V

V

Zhongwei

Yellow River

Zhongweixiaheyan

Gansu-Ningxia

IV

Worse than Grade V

Hohhot

Yellow River

Lamawan

Inner Mongolia-Shanxi

IV

 IV

Sanmenxia

Yellow River

Fengduling Bridge

Shaanxi-Shanxi, Henan

             IV

IV

Heze

Yellow River

Liuzhuang

Henan-Shandong

IV

V

Jiyuan

Qinhe River

Wulongkou

Shanxi-Henan

IV

IV

Tianshui

Weihe River

Putaoyuan

Gansu-Shaanxi

             III

III

 

(3) Pearl River system

 

Pearl River system enjoyed good water quality at large. Of the 33 surface water sections under national monitoring program, 76%, 18% and 6% fell into Grade I-III, Grade IV or was worse than Grade V respectively. There were no sections with water quality at Grade V. The major pollutants were oils, BOD5 and ammonia nitrogen.

Proportions of Varied Water Quality in Pearl River System in 2005

 

The overall water quality of the mainstream Pearl River was good with water quality the same as last year. Water quality in Yunnan Section of the mainstream was excellent, Guizhou Section and Guangxi Section enjoyed good water quality, and Guangdong Section was slightly polluted (among others, Changzhou Section had water quality worse than Grade V, and Lianhuashan Section fell into Grade IV).

 

Water quality of the tributaries of the Pearl River was good at large, and no obvious changes were observed compared with 2004. Dabang River, Duliu River, Liujiang River, Zuojiang River, Lijiang River, Guijiang River, and Dongjiang River enjoyed excellent water quality; Longjiang River, Youjiang River, Yongjiang River, Hejiang River, and Beijiang River observed good water quality. Beipan River and Modaomen Watercourse were slightly polluted.

 

The trans-province water section of Pearl River enjoyed excellent water quality. All the seven trans-province water sections under national-level monitoring program met or were better than Grade III quality standard.

 

Water Quality of Trans-province Sections of the Pearl River System in 2005

 Region 

 Name

River Name

Section Name

Provinces in the Upper and Lower Reaches of the Section

Grade of Water Quality

2005

2004

Southwest Guizhou Province

Nanpan River

Sanjiangkou

Yunnan-Guizhou

III

III

Hechi

Hongshui River

Liupai

Guizhou-Guangxi

III

III

Hechi

Longjiang River

Liujia

Guizhou-Guangxi

III

I

Hezhou

Hejiang River

Fulong Wharf

Guangxi-

Guangdong

III

II

South Guizhou Province

Hongshui River

Luoyang

Guizhou-Guangxi

II

II

Wuzhou

Xijiang River

Jieshou

Guangxi-

Guangdong

II

II

Southeast Guizhou Province

Duliu River

Congjiang Bridge

Guizhou-Guangxi

II

II

 

(4) Songhua River system

 

Songhua River system was slightly polluted. Of the 42 surface water sections under national monitoring program, 24%, 57% and 19% respectively fell into Grade I-III, Grade IV-V or were worse than Grade V. The major pollutants were permanganate index, oils and ammonia nitrogen. 

Proportions of Varied Water Quality in Songhua River System in 2005

 

Being mildly polluted, the mainstream Songhua River remained the same with the previous year in terms of water quality. Changchun Section of mainstream was moderately polluted; Jilin Section enjoyed good water quality; from the river section that was bound out of Jinlin Province to the upper reaches of Harbin city was of good water quality. Other sections were slightly polluted.

 

In general, the tributaries of the Songhua River suffered from moderate pollution. Compared with last year, the water quality of tributaries turned out to be better. Among others, Ashi River, Yinma River and Yitong River were heavily polluted; Hulan River and Mudan River suffered moderate pollution, while Nenjiang River, Yalu River and Tao'er River were mildly polluted.

 

The trans-province sections of Songhua River that were under national-level monitoring program witnessed passable water quality. Among others, 34% fell into Grade I-III, 66% was at Grade IV level. No section of Grade V or worse was observed.

 

Water Quality of Trans-province Sections of the Pearl River System in 2005

Region Name

River Name

Section Name

Provinces in the upper and lower reaches of the section

Grade of Water Quality

2005

2004

Zhaoyuan

Songhua River

Zhaoyuan

Jilin-Heilongjiang

IV

IV

Zhaoyuan

Nenjiang River

Inner mouth of Nenjiang River

Jilin-Heilongjiang

IV

IV

Hulunbei'er

Yalu River

Chengjisihan

Inner Mongolia-Heilongjiang

IV

¡ª

Xing'an League

Tao'er River

Silihen

Inner Mongolia-Jilin

IV

IV

Songyuan

Songhua River

Ganshuigang

Jilin-Heilongjiang

III

III

Baicheng

Nenjiang River

Baishatan

Jilin-Heilongjiang

II

IV

 

(5) Huaihe River system

 

Huaihe River system suffered from moderate pollution. 17%, 51%, and 32% of the 86 surface water sections under national monitoring program fell into Grade I-III, Grade IV-V, or failed to meet Grade V respectively. Major pollutants were permanganate index, BOD5, ammonia nitrogen and oils. 

Proportions of Varied Water Quality in Huaihe River System in 2005

 

The overall water quality of mainstream Huaihe River had slight pollution. No obvious changes occurred in the mainstream Huaihe River compared with the year 2004. Xinyang Section of Henan Province, Fuyang Section, Bengbu Section, and Chuzhou Section of Anhui Province, and Xuyi Section of Jiangsu Province were mildly polluted. Huainan Section of Anhui Province observed moderate pollution.

 

Generally speaking, the tributaries of the Huaihe River had heavy pollution. The water quality of the tributaries did not change much compared with last year. The Shihe River, Huanghe River, Shiguan River, Xifei River and Tuohe River were slightly polluted; Honghe River, floodway of Honghe River, and Huihe River had moderate water pollution. Yinghe River and Wohe River suffered from heavy pollution.

 

In general, rivers in Shandong Province had moderate water pollution but no remarkable changes of water quality compared with that of the previous year. Zhangtong River enjoyed good water quality; Chengguo River, Shagou River, Wuhe River, and Yihe River were seriously polluted; Xizhi River witnessed moderate pollution, and other rivers all had mild pollution.

 

The trans-province sections of the Huaihe River subject to nation-level monitoring had moderate water pollution, among which 13% had water quality at Grade I-III, 56% was of Grade IV-V, and another 31% failed to meet Grade V.

 

Water Quality of Trans-province-boundary Sections of the Huaihe River System in 2005

Region Name

River Name

Section Name

Provinces in the Upper and Lower Reaches of the section

Grade of Water Quality

2005

2004

Shangqiu

Baohe River

Maqiao

Henan ¨CAnhui

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Fuyang

Yinghe River

Jieshou

Henan ¨CAnhui

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Fuyang

Heici River

Niqiu

Henan ¨CAnhui

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Fuyang

Quanhe River

Lower reaches of Linquan Section

Henan ¨CAnhui

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Bozhou

Huiji River

Back of Liuzhai Village

Henan ¨CAnhui

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Bozhou

Wohe River

Bozhou

Henan ¨CAnhui

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Suzhou

Kuihe River

Yangzhuang

Jiangsu-Anhui

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Suzhou

Suihe River

Bali Bridge of Si County

Anhui-Jiangsu

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Suzhou

Xinbian River

Road Bridge of Si County

Anhui-Jiangsu

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Pizhou

West Picang Floodway

Aishanxi Bridge

Jiangsu-Shandong

Worse than Grade V

V

Zhoukou

Wohe River

Luyifu Bridge

Henan ¨CAnhui

V

V

Shangqiu

Dasha River

Baogong Temple

Henan ¨CAnhui

V

IV

Shangqiu

Huihe River

Huangkou

Henan ¨CAnhui

V

IV

Zhumadian

Honghe River

Bantai

Henan ¨CAnhui

V

V

Fuyang

Floodway of Honghe River

Taolao

Henan ¨CAnhui

V

Worse than Grade V

Fuyang

Huaihe River

Wangjia Dam

Henan ¨CAnhui

IV

V

Huaibei

Tuohe River

Xiaowang Bridge

Henan ¨CAnhui

IV

IV

Huaibei

Dongsha River

Linhuanji

Henan ¨CAnhui

IV

IV

Chuzhou

Huaihe River

Xiaoliu Lane

Anhui-Jiangsu

IV

IV

Sihong

Xinsui River

Daqu

Anhui-Jiangsu

IV

IV

Linyi

Wuhe River

No. 310 Road Bridge

Shandong-Jiangsu

IV

IV

Linyi

East Picang Floodway

Dongpianhong

Shandong-Jiangsu

IV

IV

Linyi

Shuhe River

Gaofengtou

Shandong-Jiangsu

IV

IV

Linyi

Baima River

Jiezhuang

Shandong-Jiangsu

IV

IV

Linyi

Xinshu River

Daxing Bridge of Linshu

Shandong-Jiangsu

IV

IV

Linyi

Shagou River

Shagou Bridge

Shandong-Jiangsu

IV

IV

Linyi

Zhangtong River

Zhangtong Bridge

Shandong-Jiangsu

IV

Worse than Grade V

Zaozhuang

Grand Canal

Tai'erzhuang Bridge

Shandong-Jiangsu

IV

IV

Xinyang

Huaihe River

Huaibin Hydrological Station

Henan-Anhui

III

III

Xuzhou

  Grand Canal

Lanjia Dam

Jiangsu-Anhui

III

III

Linyi

Yihe River

Gangshang

Shandong-Jiangsu

III

IV

Liu'an

Shihe River

Hongshizui

Anhui-Henan

II

II

 

(6) Haihe River System

 

Haihe River system was heavily polluted. Of the 65 surface water sections subject to national-level monitoring, 22%, 24% and 54% met Grade I-III, Grade IV-V or failed to meet Grade V standard respectively. Major pollutants were ammonia nitrogen, oils and BOD5.

Proportions of Varied Water Quality in Haihe River System in 2005

 

The mainstream of Haihe River suffered from heavy pollution, and compared with the previous year, no remarkable changes occurred in terms of water quality.

 

Other tributaries of the Haihe River were heavily polluted, and no obvious changes were observed. Luanhe River enjoyed good water quality; Yongding River and Ziya River were slightly polluted. The South Canal, Dasha River, Zhangweixin River, Tuhai River, Majia River and North Canal suffered from heavy pollution.

 

The trans-province sections of Haihe River under national monitoring program had moderate pollution. 24% had water quality at Grade I-III, 38% was of Grade IV-V, and 38% failed to meet Grade V.

 

Water Quality of Trans-province-boundary Sections of the Haihe River System in 2005

Region Name

River Name

Section Name

Provinces in the Upper and Lower Reaches of the section

Grade of Water Quality

2005

2004

Liaocheng

Wei Canal

Chenggou Bay

Hebei-Henan-Shandong

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Langfang

North Canal

Wangjiabai

Beijing-Hebei

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Dezhou

Chahe River

Tianlongzhuang

Shandong-Hebei

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Cangzhou

South Canal

Sangyuan Bridge

Shandong-Hebei

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Daming County

Weihe River

Longwang Temple

Henan-Hebei

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Liaocheng

Majia River

Rentang Bridge

Henan-Shandong

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Liaocheng

Tuhai River

Bitun

Henan-Shandong

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Liaocheng

Jindi River

Zhangqiu

Henan-Shandong

Worse than Grade V

Worse than Grade V

Tianjin

North Canal

Tumenlou

Hebei-Tianjin

V

V

Tianjin

Heilonggang River

Gonggang floodgate

Hebei-Tianjin

V

V

Jinghai County

Ziya River

Xiaohe Gate

Hebei-Tianjin

 

IV

¢ô

Zhangjiakou

Baihe River

Houcheng

Hebei-Beijing

IV

III

Beijing

Yongding River

Yanhecheng

Hebei-Beijing

IV

IV

Zhangjiakou

Yanghe River

Zuowei Bridge

Shanxi-Hebei

 

IV

Worse than Grade V

Zhangjiakou

Sanggan River

chuaigutuan

Shanxi-Hebei

IV

III

Shijiazhuang

Mianhe River-Yehe River

Didu

Shanxi-Hebei

IV

IV

Handan

Zhanghe River

Liujiazhuang

Shanxi-Hebei

III

II

Changzhi

Zhuozhang River

Wangjiazhuang

Shanxi-Henan

III

IV

Tianjin

Shahe River

Shahe Bridge

Hebei-Tianjin

II

I

Beijing

Chaohe River

Gubeikou

Hebei-Beijing

II

II

Beijing

Juma River

Dashadi

Hebei-Beijing

I

I

 

(7) Liaohe River System

 

Liaohe River system suffered from heavy pollution. 30%, 30% and 40% of the 37 surface water sections fell into Grade I-III, Grade IV-V, or was worse than Grade V respectively. Major pollutants were ammonia nitrogen, oils and permanganate index.

 

Proportions of Varied Water Quality in Liaohe River System in 2005

The mainstream of the Liaohe River was heavily polluted, and the water quality remained the same with last year.

 

The tributaries of the Liaohe River had heavy water pollution, and compared with the year 2004, water quality deteriorated to some extent. The Dongliao River, Laoha River, and Xilamulun River were slightly polluted. Xiliao River had moderate water pollution. The Tiaozi River and Zhaosutai River suffered from heavy pollution.

 

The trans-province sections of the Liaohe River System under national monitoring program were of poor water quality. Of the three monitored sections, Dianzi Section of Laoha River bordering Liaoning Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region fell into Grade III water quality; Sishuang Bridge Section of Dongliao River in the boundary of Jilin and Liaoning Province had water quality of Grade V; and Fudedian Section of Liaohe River bordering Jilin Province, Inner Mongolia and Liaoning Province failed to meet Grade V.

 

Water Quality of Trans-province-boundary Sections of the Liaohe River System in 2005

Region Name

River Name

Section Name

Provinces in the Upper and Lower Reaches of the section

Grade of Water Quality

2005

2004

Tieling City

Liaohe River

Fudedian

Jilin, Inner Mongolia and Liaoning

Worse than Grade V

V

Shuangliao City

Dongliao River

Sishuang Bridge

Jilin-Liaoning

V

IV

Chifeng City

Laoha River

Dianzi

Liaoning-Inner Mongolia

§º

§º

 

2.      Water Quality of Rivers in Zhejiang Province and Fujian Province

 

Rivers in Zhejiang Province and Fujian Province enjoyed good water quality at large. No obvious changes occurred compared with that of last year. Of the 32 surface water sections subject to national-level monitoring, 34% had water quality at Grade I-II, 41% fell into Grade III, 22% was at Grade IV, and another 3% met Grade V. No sections were observed with water quality worse than Grade V. The major pollutants were oils, ammonia nitrogen and BOD5. 

 

3.      Water Quality of Rivers in Southwest and Northwest China

 

Rivers in Southwest China  Rivers in Southwest China enjoyed good water quality. Compared with the previous year, no obvious changes were observed. Of the 17 surface water sections subject to national-level monitoring, 6% had water quality at Grade I, 53% fell into Grade II, 23% met Grade III, 6% was of Grade IV, and another 12% failed to meet Grade V. The major pollutants were lead and permanganate index.

 

Rivers in Northwest China  The water quality of Rivers in Northwest China was good, with no obvious changes compared with the year 2004. 85% of the 28 surface water sections under national monitoring program were of water quality at Grade I-III, 7% was at Grade IV, and the proportions of sections with water quality both at or worse than Grade V were 4%. The major pollutants were ammonia nitrogen and oils.

 

4.      Water Quality of Lakes and Reservoirs

 

In 2005, of the 28 major lakes and reservoirs under national monitoring program, 2 met Grade II, accounting for 7%; 6 fell into Grade III, taking up 21%; 3 were at Grade IV, constituting 11%; 5 witnessed Grade V of water quality, taking up 18%; and 12 failed to meet Grade V, accounting for 43%. Among others, Taihu Lake, Dianchi Lake and Chaohu Lake had their water quality worse than Grade V. The major pollutants were total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). 

 

Water Quality of Major Lakes and Reservoirs in 2005

No.

River system

Number

I

II

III

IV

V

Worse than V

Major pollutants

Three major lakes

3

0

0

0

0

0

3

TN, TP

Large freshwater lakes

10

0

1

2

2

2

3

Urban lakes

5

0

0

0

0

2

3

Large reservoirs

10

0

1

4

1

1

3

Total

28

0

2

6

3

5

12

Percentage (%) in 2004

0

8

18

15

22

37

Percentage (%) in 2005

0

7

21