Anthropogenic impacts to large lakes in China: the Tai Hu example

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study is to summarise limnological effects of cultural eutrophication in some Chinese lakes. Detailed data are shown for Lake Tai Hu as an example for a very large shallow lake affected by anthropogenic impacts. Urban and industrial waste water discharged to the lake result in high nutrient concentrations, large algal blooms dominated by cyanobacteria, mainly species of Microcystis and strong horizontal gradients. Algal growth in this lake is mainly ligh and/or phosphorus limited. This situation is typical for most of the lakes included in this review although some of the large deep lakes seem to be nitrogen deficient. In some cases toxicological effects may be the reason for observed discrepancies. Lakes are of vital importance for populations in China as drinking water and nutritional resources. To prevent water shortage because of conflicting usage, anticipation, control and management of water pollution is urgently needed. Moreover, efforts must be taken to rehabilitate deteriorated freshwater ecosystems.