Aristotle University of ThessalonikiAristotle University of ThessalonikiFaculty of BiologyFaculty of Biology

Department of ZoologyDepartment of ZoologyCourse: Water quality of running watersCourse: Water quality of running waters

Teacher: Maria LazaridouTeacher: Maria LazaridouPresentation of: AurPresentation of: Auréélie Valllie Valléeée, Isabell Wolowski, Isabell Wolowski

DamsDams

Their negative Effects on the EnvironmentTheir negative Effects on the Environment

Construction area of dam (http://www.wcsience.com/giant/dam.html)Construction area of dam (http://www.wcsience.com/giant/dam.html)

0 Content0 Content

1 The “Three Georges Dam” in China1 The “Three Georges Dam” in China 1.1 the project1.1 the project 1.2 geological problems1.2 geological problems2 negative influences of the dam2 negative influences of the dam 2.1 ecological problems2.1 ecological problems 2.2 social and cultural problems2.2 social and cultural problems 2.3 financial problems 2.3 financial problems 3 summary of facts3 summary of facts4 References4 References

Pic.2 : Map of China and Location of dam (http//:www.cnn.com/Earth)Pic.2 : Map of China and Location of dam (http//:www.cnn.com/Earth)Pic.3: Yangtze River in china (encarta 2002)Pic.3: Yangtze River in china (encarta 2002)

1.1 The Project1.1 The Project

- 1997 start of the project, will be finished by 2009- 1997 start of the project, will be finished by 2009

- across the 3 Georges section of the Yangtze River- across the 3 Georges section of the Yangtze River

- 600 feet high, 1.3 miles long- 600 feet high, 1.3 miles long

- backflow will create 360 miles long lake- backflow will create 360 miles long lake

- expected costs: $29 billion- expected costs: $29 billion

Pic.4: Reservoir Capacities (http://www.wcsience.com/giant/dam.html)Pic.4: Reservoir Capacities (http://www.wcsience.com/giant/dam.html)

1.2 geological Problems1.2 geological Problems

- build on contact zone of eurasian and - build on contact zone of eurasian and indian continental plateindian continental plate

- earthquake zone, intensity at least 7 (Richter-scale) - earthquake zone, intensity at least 7 (Richter-scale) every 200 yearsevery 200 years

- high pressure on the dam due to sediments upstream- high pressure on the dam due to sediments upstream

- sudden movement of Water - sudden movement of Water worldwide catastrophe worldwide catastrophe (angle of rotation axe changes)(angle of rotation axe changes)

2 negative influences of the dam2 negative influences of the dam

- ecological problems- ecological problems

- social and cultural problems- social and cultural problems

- financial problems - financial problems

Pic.5: Demolition of buildings Pic.5: Demolition of buildings (http://www.wcsience.com/giant/dam.html)(http://www.wcsience.com/giant/dam.html)

2.1 ecological problems2.1 ecological problems

- Spreading of water upstream (up to 630 km)- Spreading of water upstream (up to 630 km)

- 3000 plant species, 350 animal species are endangered- 3000 plant species, 350 animal species are endangered

- Danger of sedimentation- Danger of sedimentation

- Possibility of climate change- Possibility of climate change

- 2.87 million tons of garbage will be submerged due to - 2.87 million tons of garbage will be submerged due to flooding of…flooding of…

- 115 towns

- 4500 villages

- 4000 hospitals and clinics

- 40.000 tombs

- 100 bridges

- more than 1700 factories!!!

Pic.6/7: The city of Wushan (http://www.wcsience.com/giant/dam.html)Pic.6/7: The city of Wushan (http://www.wcsience.com/giant/dam.html)

2.2 social and cultural problems2.2 social and cultural problems

- flooding of tourist attractions- flooding of tourist attractions

- flooding of most fertile soil areas of china - flooding of most fertile soil areas of china

- flooding of populated areas- flooding of populated areas

- 1,8 mio people have to be relocated- 1,8 mio people have to be relocated

- unemployment, psychological problems- unemployment, psychological problems

- need of new infrastructure and villages- need of new infrastructure and villages

- regional conflicts (east vs.west)- regional conflicts (east vs.west)

2.3 financial problems2.3 financial problems

- Can china afford this project?- Can china afford this project?- Planned costs of $29 billion – now $79 billion- Planned costs of $29 billion – now $79 billion- rising prices for electricity- rising prices for electricity

Costs of:Costs of:- dam itsselfdam itsself- relocation of almost 2 mio peoplerelocation of almost 2 mio people- new living spacenew living space- Demontation of factories….Demontation of factories….

$$$New powerstations (atomic & carbon)

vs.

Dam project

3 Summary of facts 3 Summary of facts

- Improvement of the environmental politic???

- destroyed landscape

- rising unemployement

- social conflicts

- financial problems

- 30 small dams = same effect, less problems

4 References4 References

- http://www.wcsience.com/giant/dam.html- http://www.wcsience.com/giant/dam.html

- http://www.cnn.com/Earth- http://www.cnn.com/Earth

- www.Staudamm-China.de- www.Staudamm-China.de

- http://www.three-georges-dam.com- http://www.three-georges-dam.com

- http://www.eca-watch.org/problems/china/racechina.html- http://www.eca-watch.org/problems/china/racechina.html

- Microsoft Encarta Enzyklopädie 2002- Microsoft Encarta Enzyklopädie 2002