Chemical contamination of the East River (Dongjiang) and its implication on sustainable development in the Pearl River Delta

• Published in: Environment international Vol. 26; no. 5; pp. 303 - 308
• Main Authors: Ho, K.C, Hui, K.C.C
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agriculture; Animals; Animals, Domestic; Applied sciences; China; China, Pearl R; China, People's Rep., Hong Kong; Continental surface waters; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Freshwater; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Hong Kong; Hong Kong, Dongjiang R; Humans; Industry; Natural water pollution; Point and nonpoint sources; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Pollution, environment geology; Public Health; Regional sustainability; Sediment contamination; Soil and sediments pollution; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water quality; Water Supply; Water treatment and pollution; Hong Kong; Asia; China; ISEW, China, People's Rep., Guangdong Prov., Zhujiang Delta; China, People's Rep., Dongjiang R; China, People's Rep., Guangdong Prov., Shenzhen; Sediment contamination; Point and nonpoint sources; Water supply; Water quality; Regional sustainability; Drinking water; Polycyclic aromatic compound; HCH; Sediments; Spatial variation; Polychlorobiphenyl; Heavy metal; Organochlorine compounds; Chlorine Organic compounds; Content; Surface water; Pollution source inventory; Stream; Water pollution; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/S0160-4120(01)00004-6

A recent survey reveals that water quality and river sediments of Dongjiang (the East River) have been mildly contaminated by heavy metals and organic chemicals, such as copper, lead, PCBs, PAHs and HCHs. According to photogrammetic surveys, the sources of contamination are closely related to human activities, such as domestic and industrial discharges, agricultural chemical applications and soil erosion due to deforestation. The level of water and sediment contamination is most serious at the mid-river section near the urban of Weizhou. Due to natural dilution and diffusion, the levels of contamination are slightly decreased at the medium low section of the River near Qiaotou and Matan. Nevertheless, the levels of contamination increase again in the lower river section near Shenzhen, which is a highly developed economic zone. Since Dongjiang is the major source of potable water supply for Hong Kong (nearly 80% of potable water of Hong Kong is abstracted from Dongjiang) and the other parts of the Pearl River Delta (PRD), such organic and inorganic pollution merit concern. Ironically, most of the industrial and commercial activities in the watershed of Dongjiang are business investments of Hong Kong citizens. Cross-border environmental efforts should be enhanced with collaboration of different jurisdictions to achieve targets of regional sustainability.