Human Impact on Water in Shanghai - investigate how the land use of the area around the river affects the water quality

Authors Avatar

Grade 10 Humanities – Geography

Drainage Basins and River – Water Pollution

Kimberly Hoong

S4 Ruby


Table of Content

1 Aim        3

2 Introduction        3

3 Hypothesis        3

3.1 Reasoning        3

4 Methodology        4

5 Results and Analysis        4

5.1 Table of Results        4

5.2 Graph of Results        8

5.3 Analysis of Results        9

6 Conclusion        10

7 Evaluation        10

7.1 Reliability        10

7.2 Validity        10

8 Bibliography        10


1. Aim

To investigate how the land use of the area around the river affects the water quality.

2. Introduction

Water quality is defined by its physical, chemical and biological characteristics, one of which is the pH value. The pH value of the river is important as it affects the marine life in the water bodies.

In the recent years, China has been known for its mass water pollution due its desire to grow economically – rapidly. 70% of Chinese lakes and rivers are polluted, and 90% of their groundwater is unsuitable for human use (Scipeeps, 2009). Out of all the provinces in China, Shanghai is notably the worst province in terms of contributing to water pollution.

As Shanghai is situated right at the coast of the country with the Huangpu River beside it, there are naturally many rivers present. It has an intensive distribution of water bodies across the city, contributing to the economic and social growth (Ge, 1999). But for Shanghai to grow so rapidly, industries and other areas has to increase in numbers. As these industries release numerous by-products (most of which is harmful to the environment), there is no other easier way than to dispose them into the river. This dumping of wastes has led to the severe pollution of the rivers, which in turn has cause numerous health defects like cancer, birth deformities etc. In one case, 1/3 of peasants in a village became mentally/seriously ill, high numbers of miscarriages were reported and people died before 40. The culprit was believed to be a tannery that dumped their wastes into the Huangpu River, which was used a drinking water for the villagers (Hays, 2010).

Join now!

3. Hypothesis

The pH level of the rivers near residential areas will be lower than 8 and higher than 6.

3.1 Reasoning: Industries, factories and motor vehicles emit poisonous gases like nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide into the surroundings. When these gases mix with the water vapour, they form acids and cause the pH level around that area to change.

Water bodies near these industrial or commercial sites with factories and vehicles everywhere will most likely have a higher pH level compared to the water bodies near the residential sites. Residential areas are mostly inhabited with people to live in, ...

This is a preview of the whole essay