Water Pollution in the Yangtze and Yellow River Basins

Water Pollution in the Yangtze and Yellow River Basins

In the 2020s, water pollution in the Yangtze and Yellow River basins has worsened due to rapid industrialization. In industrial areas around Chongqing and Wuhan, heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and arsenic have been discharged into rivers, threatening the safety of drinking water. In particular, pollution in the Yangtze River has expanded, with around 300 million people relying on contaminated water sources. To address this, the government has imposed strict environmental regulations on companies such as Sinopec and China Aluminum Corporation, but illegal discharges continue. In agricultural areas, excessive use of chemical fertilizers has also contributed to water pollution, further impacting freshwater ecosystems. International cooperation and sustainable solutions are urgently needed.