Land down, damage up in Yangtze River Delta

Nanjing Center of China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Land and Resources released a report recently claiming that the land sedimentation had cost the Yangtze River Delta 315 billion yuan directly or indirectly.

Experts engaged into the survey warned against the possible exodus of hi-tech businesses and foreign investment if the sedimentation cannot be stopped immediately.

It took geological survey departments from Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Shanghai five years to make the assessment on the ground water resources and geological disasters in this region.

The report says the sedimentation of more than 200mm takes place in some 10 kilometers due to the over exploitation of ground water. Experts pointed out that the situation was particularly serious in SuZhou, Wuxi and Changzhou.

They explained that sedimentation damaged buildings, roads, bridges and pipes. As a result, buildings are short-lived and underground wharehouses get wet, which in turn causes swelling spending in underground construction. The illumination system in the cross-river tunnel in Shanghai is an example where lights have to be replaced every one or two years.

Experts have proposed three measures to protect the ground water resources. First, ground water should be recharged following the exploitation and pollution should be prevented in this process. Secondly, urban construction should be less concentrated and there should be less super high rises. This will reduce the effect on the water flow and recycling. The last and the most important, water must be saved and used more efficiently.

They also attributed the situation to the separated actions on pollution treatment. They urged that concerted actions be taken quickly to prevent the pollution.

There is a good example. Hangzhou, though the problem still needs further efforts, enjoys better water quality and does not suffer from serious sedimentation.

As learned the Ministry of Land and Resources is considering a plan to reduce the ground water exploitation to 196 million cubic meter per year from 1.27 billion cubic meter per year. It will also give specific quota for exploitation to Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai.

By People's Daily Online