Mapping Taihu Basin research: a bibliometric analysis

Abstract

The Chinese government has made a strong effort to solve pollution problems in the Taihu Basin, and scholars have also paid close attention to these issues. Based on 2094 valid studies on the Taihu Basin obtained from the Web of Science (WoS) core database from 1998 to 2019, this study conducted a systematic review of research and development trends using bibliometric methods. The results reveal that academic achievement has increased rapidly in recent years, especially after a severe blue-green algae bloom event in Taihu Lake in 2007. Taihu Basin related studies are becoming more interdisciplinary in nature with an integration of knowledge. The Chinese Academies of Sciences and universities in eastern China play key roles in academic output. Although hotspots of environmental topics vary at different time periods, the eutrophication issue at Taihu Lake has long been a focus. Eutrophication studies on Taihu Lake have evolved from “general causes of eutrophication” to “more detailed causes of eutrophication” to “long-term monitoring and management of water quality” to “risk assessment”. Future trends in Taihu Basin research should continue to emphasize risk assessment and long-term management. This bibliometric review presents a comprehensive analysis of Taihu Lake related research, which can provide important insights into the potential direction for future studies.