Limnological effects of a large Amazonian run-of-river dam on the main river and drowned tributary valleys

Phytoplankton species composition as bioindicator in the largest fragmented channel of the Pearl River, China

To test the serial discontinuity concept (SDC) predictions in a regulated river ecosystem, environmental parameters and phytoplankton community structure were determined in a subtropical river (China) which was regulated by 11 cascade dams. Our results showed that total phosphorus (TP) and silicate during the wet period in several dams supported the SDC predictions. Variations of phytoplankton species composition in several cascade dams, such as Datengxia (DTX) and Changzhou (CZ), also supported the SDC predictions. Moreover, the stations near the dams showed the maximum or minimum values of total species numbers in each cascade segment. Predictive model indicated that the types of phytoplankton decreased in the middle reaches, conforming to SDC predictions. In the whole system of cascading dams, an increase in silicate concentration and phytoplankton communities in the downstream was also consistent with SDC predictions. Therefore, these findings aligned with the SDC predictions in the aspects of both single dam and whole cascade dam system to some extent. In future research, our aim is to further investigate the effects of cascade damming on additional phytoplankton-related indices in this aquatic ecosystem. We hope to gather more comprehensive data to fully validate the SDC predictions.

Large-scale hydropower impacts and adaptation strategies on rural communities in the Amazonian floodplain of the Madeira River

Understanding social and environmental impacts and household adaptation strategies in the face of expansions in energy infrastructure projects is essential to inform mitigation and interventions programs that promote well-being. Here we conducted surveys in seven communities distributed across varying degrees of proximity to a hydropower dam complex in the Brazilian Amazon along about 250 km of the floodplain of the Madeira River. Based on interviews with 154 fishers from these communities, we examine how fishers perceived changes in fisheries yields, changes in the composition of fish species, and whether and how adaptation strategies had evolved 8-9 years after the dams' construction. Most respondents (91%) indicated declines in yields after the dams for both upstream and downstream zones. Multivariate analyses revealed statistically significant differences in the composition of species yields in pre-and post-dam periods for all communities and in both upstream and downstream zones (p < 0.001). The composition of yields diversified after the dams, with an apparent decline in yields of species of greatest market value (e.g., catfishes Brachyplatystoma spp., Pseudoplatystoma spp., and jatuarana Brycon spp.), and increases in yields of a set of other smaller bodied and faster growing species (e.g., 'branquinhas' Psectrogaster spp., Potamohinna spp., and sardines Triportheus spp.). Both downstream and upstream fishers indicated that fishing profits decreased since the dams' construction (76.8% and 67.9%, respectively). To cope with these changes, the majority of both upstream and downstream fishers (>70%) stated they have had to devote more time to fishing after the dams were built. The time fishers spend traveling to fishing locations also increased for upstream communities (77.1%), but not for downstream communities. Thirty-four percent of the interviewees changed the gear they use to fish after the dams construction, with twice as many mentioning uses of non-selective gear, such as gillnets, and declining use of traditional fishing gears such as castnets and a trap ("covi"). Fish consumption overall decreased: fish was consumed 'everyday' before the dams, but 1-2 times per week or rarely after the dams were built. Although the species that declined were those of high economic value, 53% of fishers stated fish prices have increased overall after the dams. These results shed light on the potential challenges faced by fishers and which adaptation strategies they have evolved to maintain livelihoods since the construction of the dams.

Changing temporal and spatial patterns of methane emission from rivers by reservoir dams: a review

Dams built on rivers can bring economic benefits to local production and are considered to be environmentally friendly. However, in recent years, many researchers found that the establishment of dams has created excellent conditions for the production of methane (CH₄) in rivers, making it change from a "weak source" of rivers to a "strong source" of dams. In particular, reservoir dams have a great impact on CH₄ emission in rivers within their regions in terms of time and space. Spatially, the sedimentary layer and water level fluctuation zone of reservoirs are the main direct and indirect causes of CH₄ production. Temporally, the synergetic effect between water level adjustment of the reservoir dam and environmental factors leads to large changes in the substances of the water body, impacts on the production and transport of CH₄. Finally, the generated CH₄ is emitted into the atmosphere through several important emission modes: molecular diffusion, bubbling, and degassing. The contribution of CH₄ emitted from reservoir dams to the global greenhouse effect cannot be ignored.

Terrigenous organic carbon drives methane dynamics in cascade reservoirs in the upper Yangtze China

Methane (CH₄) emissions from freshwaters to the atmosphere have a profound impact on global atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. Anthropogenic footprints such as dam construction and reservoir operation significantly changed the fate and transport of CH₄ in freshwaters. The source of particulate organic carbon (POC) in reservoirs is a critical factor controlling CH₄ production and emissions. However, little is known of how reservoir operation mediates the transport of POC and regulates CH₄ accumulation in cascade hydroelectric reservoirs. Here, spatial and temporal variations in POC and CH₄ were explored in the Xiluodu (XLD) and Xiangjiaba (XJB) reservoirs which are deep valley cascade reservoirs located in the main channel of the upper Yangtze River. Based on the δ¹³C-POC and N/C mole ratio of particulate organic matter, the results of multi-endmember stable isotope mixing models by a Bayesian model showed that terrigenous POC and autochthonous POC accounted for approximately 55% ± 18% and 43% ± 19% (SD, n = 179) of POC, respectively. Together with other hydrological and environmental parameters, we found that the input of terrigenous POC was dominantly influenced by water level variations and flow regulation due to reservoir operation. The cumulative effect of POC caused by cascade dams was not apparent. Terrigenous POC were more likely to drive CH₄ accumulation in our study. Evident low level of CH₄ in both reservoirs were likely affected by low sedimentation of POC and microbial CH₄ oxidation. We hope our study could provide a conceptual framework for further modeling of CH₄ dynamics in cascade reservoirs.

Evolution of Flood Regulation Capacity for a Large Shallow Retention Lake: Characterization, Mechanism, and Impacts

The retention lake often plays an important role in flood mitigation through the water storage and the lake–river interactions. However, the evolution of real-time flood regulation capacity remains poorly characterized. Using wavelet decomposition and flood peak removing ratios, this study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the characterization, mechanism, and impacts of the flood regulation capacity in Dongting Lake. The results indicate that the change of flood regulation effect of the lake can be well reflected by the multi-year changes in the variances of the inflow and outflow runoffs. The wavelet decomposition indicates that the flood regulation of the lake is mainly functioned on the high-frequency floods with durations less than 32 days. The average yearly flood peak removing ratios range from 0.13 to 0.56, but no significant tendency changes on the effect of the flood regulation capacity has happened during the study period. The changes in maximum regulation volume reveal that the flood regulation of the Dongting Lake is mainly a passive process decided by the complex river–lake relationship and the interactions among different processes of discharge and sediment. The impacts from the large volume reduction caused by sedimentation in the lake is compensated by the increased flood controlling water level, which in turn have resulted in the new phenomenon of “normal discharge, high water level and disaster” in the lake regions after the 1990s. The significant impacts on the lake–river relationship caused by the sediment reallocation from the operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) have further changed the hydrological regimes between the lake and the Yangtze River. Influenced by the new lake-river interaction pattern the discharge passing capacity downstream the outlet of the lake is becoming a key factor that affects the flood regulation capacity, which is leading to a shift of the flood pressures from the lake region to the downstream of Yangtze in the near future.

Dynamics of Hg and MeHg in the Madeira River basin (Western Amazon) before and after impoundment of a run-of-river hydroelectric dam

The impact of a hydroelectric run-of-river (RoR) dam construction on the dynamics of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) is of interest to the environment and health of human and wild life. We monitored (May 2010 to October 2018) THg and MeHg in the waters and in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) of the Madeira River and its tributaries (before and after dam construction) to evaluate changes upstream and downstream from the Santo Antonio Hydroelectric Dam (SAHD). We collected 2826 samples of water and SPM at sampling stations upstream (UPMD-01, UPMD-02 and UPMD-03) and downstream the Madeira River (DWMD-04, DWMD-05 and DWMD-06), and Tributaries upstream (Branco River, Jaci-Parana River, Jatuarana-I Igarapé, Contra River, Caripunas Igarapé, Ceara Igarapé, and Teotonio Igarapé) and downstream (Jatuarana-II Igarapé and Belmont Igarapé) from the SAHD and monitored water and the total load of SPM. SPM was significantly higher in the Madeira River (median: 178.63 mg.L^-1) than in upstream and downstream tributaries (median: 15.30 mg.L^-1); however, the THg and MeHg concentrations were significantly higher in the tributaries (median: 161.14 ng g^-1 and 9.03 ng g^-1, respectively) than in the mainstream Madeira River (median = 57.06 ng g^-1 and 1.63 ng g^-1, respectively). THg concentration in the water was significantly higher in the mainstream Madeira River (median = 6.51 ng.L^-1) than in the tributaries (median = 2.57 ng.L^-1). However, the percentage of methylation in the tributaries (median = 4.9%) was 4-times higher than in the Madeira River (median: 1.3%). The significantly higher MeHg percentages in the tributaries may indicate natural (hydro-bio-geochemical factors) still predominant in this changing landscape of the Western Amazon. So far, the data suggest that this RoR has not yet impacted the THg and MeHg concentrations.