Le Yang

Bio: Le Yang is an academic researcher from Chinese Academy of Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Environmental science & Precipitation. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 7 publications receiving 177 citations.

Spatial and seasonal variability of diffusive methane emissions from the Three Gorges Reservoir

Abstract: [1] To investigate temporal and spatial variations in diffusive CH4 emission from the surface of the Three Gorges Reservoir, CH4 emissions were measured using the static chamber technique along the mainstream of the reservoir from January to December 2010. The overall average CH4 flux is 7.93 mg CH4 m−2 d−1, which is comparable to those from other temperate reservoirs but significantly lower than those from tropical reservoirs. Seasonal variations showed that CH4 emission reached the maximum in the summer and turned to the low levels in the other seasons; such variations reflected the seasonal dynamics of temperature, dissolved oxygen, and water velocity. Moreover, the yearly average CH4 flux decreased from upstream to downstream before the Three Gorges Dam, but CH4 emission from the surface of the downstream river was higher than that from the surface at Zigui, the upstream water before the Three Gorges Dam. The differences in water velocity and allochthonous input of organic matter probably caused the spatial variations in CH4 emission. These results indicate that systematic sampling is needed to better estimate CH4 emission through coverage of the temporal and spatial scales and to better assess the influence of CH4 emission from the Three Gorges Reservoir on climate change in China, as well as the rest of the world.

Surface methane emissions from different land use types during various water levels in three major drawdown areas of the Three Gorges Reservoir

Abstract: Methane (CH4) emissions from the drawdown area of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) have not been thoroughly investigated even though the drawdown area encompasses one third of the reservoir surface. In this study, CH4 emissions from different land uses were measured in the TGR drawdown area. The average diffusive CH4 emissions were 2.61, 0.19, 0.18, and 0.12 mg CH4 m(-2) h(-1) in rice paddies, fallow lands, deforested lands, and croplands, respectively, and were positively related to the duration of the inundated season among the latter three land uses. On average the drawdown areas studied here (except rice paddies) were sources in the inundated season (0.22 +/- 0.26 mg CH4 m(-2) h(-1)) and a sink in the drained season (-0.008 +/- 0.035 mg CH4 m(-2) h(-1)). The water level was the dominant factor that controlled whether the drawdown area was either inundated or drained, which in turn determined whether the drawdown area was a source or sink of CH4 emissions. The average diffusive CH4 emissions from the fallow lands, croplands, and deforested lands increased as the distance from the dam increased from Zigui (0.10 +/- 0.15 mg CH4 m(-2) h(-1)) to Wushan (0.15 +/- 0.29 mg CH4 m(-2) h(-1)) to Yunyang (0.24 +/- 0.27 mg CH4 m(-2) h(-1)), which could reflect different sediment characteristics and water velocities. The total CH4 emission from the drawdown area was estimated to range from 1033.5 to 1333.9 Mg CH4 yr(-1), which would account for 42-54% of the total CH4 emissions from the water surface of TGR.

Spatial and seasonal variability of CO2 flux at the air-water interface of the Three Gorges Reservoir

Abstract: Diffusive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the water surface of the Three Gorges Reservoir, currently the largest hydroelectric reservoir in the world, were measured using floating static chambers over the course of a yearlong survey. The results showed that the average annual CO2 flux was (163.3 +/- 117.4) mg CO2/(m2.hr) at the reservoir surface, which was larger than the CO2 flux in most boreal and temperate reservoirs but lower than that in tropical reservoirs. Significant spatial variations in CO2 flux were observed at four measured sites, with the largest flux measured at Wushan (221.9 mg CO2/(m2.hr)) and the smallest flux measured at Zigui (88.6 mg CO2/(m(2).hr)); these differences were probably related to the average water velocities at different sites. Seasonal variations in CO2 flux were also observed at four sites, starting to increase in January, continuously rising until peaking in the summer (June-August) and gradually decreasing thereafter. Seasonal variations in CO2 flux could reflect seasonal dynamics in pH, water velocity, and temperature. Since the spatial and temporal variations in CO2 flux were significant and dependent on multiple physical, chemical, and hydrological factors, it is suggested that long-term measurements should be made on a large spatial scale to assess the climatic influence of hydropower in China, as well as the rest of the world.

The temporal changes in road stormwater runoff quality and the implications to first flush control in Chongqing, China

Abstract: This study investigates the quality of stormwater runoff from a driveway in the southwest mountainous urban area of Chongqing, China, from 2010 to 2011. The results showed that the mean concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) were 4.1, 2.4, and 2.2 times the grade V levels of the national surface water standard of China. The pollutant concentration peak preceded or synchronized with the rainfall intensity peak and occurred 10 min after the runoff started. The significant high pollutant concentration in the initial stage of the rainfall suggested that first flush control is necessary, especially for the most polluted constitutes, such as total suspended solids, COD, and TN. Three potential pollution sources were identified: the atmospheric dry and wet deposition (TN, NO3 −-N, NH4 +-N, and DCu), the road sediment and materials (total suspended solids, COD, and TP), and the vehicle emissions (DPb and DZn). Therefore, this study indicates that reductions in road sediments and material pollution and dry and wet deposition should be the priority factors for pollution control of road stormwater runoff in mountainous urban areas.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Reservoir Water Surfaces: A New Global Synthesis

Abstract: Collectively, reservoirs created by dams are thought to be an important source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere. So far, efforts to quantify, model, and manage these emissions have been limited by data availability and inconsistencies in methodological approach. Here, we synthesize reservoir CH4, CO2, and N2O emission data with three main objectives: (1) to generate a global estimate of GHG emissions from reservoirs, (2) to identify the best predictors of these emissions, and (3) to consider the effect of methodology on emission estimates. We estimate that GHG emissions from reservoir water surfaces account for 0.8 (0.5-1.2) Pg CO2 equivalents per year, with the majority of this forcing due to CH4. We then discuss the potential for several alternative pathways such as dam degassing and downstream emissions to contribute significantly to overall emissions. Although prior studies have linked reservoir GHG emissions to reservoir age and latitude, we find that factors related to reservoir productivity are better predictors of emission.

Rapid aerosol particle growth and increase of cloud condensation nucleus activity by secondary aerosol formation and condensation: A case study for regional air pollution in northeastern China

Abstract: [1] This study was part of the international field measurement Campaigns of Air Quality Research in Beijing and Surrounding Region 2006 (CAREBeijing-2006). We investigated a new particle formation event in a highly polluted air mass at a regional site south of the megacity Beijing and its impact on the abundance and properties of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). During the 1-month observation, particle nucleation followed by significant particle growth on a regional scale was observed frequently (~30%), and we chose 23 August 2006 as a representative case study. Secondary aerosol mass was produced continuously, with sulfate, ammonium, and organics as major components. The aerosol mass growth rate was on average 19 μg m -3 h -1 during the late hours of the day. This growth rate was observed several times during the 1-month intensive measurements. The nucleation mode grew very quickly into the size range of CCN, and the CCN size distribution was dominated by the growing nucleation mode (up to 80% of the total CCN number concentration) and not as usual by the accumulation mode. At water vapor supersaturations of 0.07-0.86%, the CCN number concentrations reached maximum values of 4000-19,000 cm -3 only 6-14 h after the nucleation event. During particle formation and growth, the effective hygroscopicity parameter κ increased from about 0.1-0.3 to 0.35-0.5 for particles with diameters of 40-90 nm, but it remained nearly constant at ~0.45 for particles with diameters of ~190 nm. This result is consistent with aerosol chemical composition data, showing a pronounced increase of sulfate.

River dam impacts on biogeochemical cycling

Abstract: The increased use of hydropower is currently driving the greatest surge in global dam construction since the mid-20th century, meaning that most major rivers on Earth are now dammed. Dams impede the flow of essential nutrients, including carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon, along river networks, leading to enhanced nutrient transformation and elimination. Increased nutrient retention via sedimentation or gaseous elimination in dammed reservoirs influences downstream terrestrial and coastal environments. Reservoirs can also become hotspots for greenhouse gas emission, potentially impacting how ‘green’ hydropower is compared with fossil-fuel burning. In this Review, we discuss how damming changes nutrient biogeochemistry along river networks, as well as its broader environmental consequences. The influences of construction and management practices on nutrient elimination, the emission of greenhouse gases and potential remobilization of legacy nutrients are also examined. We further consider how regulating hydraulic residence time and environmental flows (or e-flows) can be used in planning and operation from dam conception to deconstruction. River damming can harness hydropower, control flooding and store water, but can also alter biogeochemistry in reservoirs and downstream environments. In this Review, the impacts of dams on nutrient cycling and greenhouse production are discussed, emphasizing the need to consider biogeochemical cycling at all stages of dam lifespan.

Methane emissions from rice paddies natural wetlands, lakes in China: synthesis new estimate

Abstract: Sources of methane (CH4) become highly variable for countries undergoing a heightened period of development due to both human activity and climate change. An urgent need therefore exists to budget key sources of CH4, such as wetlands (rice paddies and natural wetlands) and lakes (including reservoirs and ponds), which are sensitive to these changes. For this study, references in relation to CH4 emissions from rice paddies, natural wetlands, and lakes in China were first reviewed and then reestimated based on the review itself. Total emissions from the three CH4 sources were 11.25 Tg CH4 yr � 1 (ranging from 7.98 to 15.16 Tg CH4 yr � 1 ). Among the emissions, 8.11 Tg CH4 yr � 1 (ranging from 5.20 to 11.36 Tg CH4 yr � 1 ) derived from rice paddies, 2.69 Tg CH4 yr � 1 (ranging from 2.46 to 3.20 Tg CH4 yr � 1 ) from natural wetlands, and 0.46 Tg CH4 yr � 1 (ranging from 0.33 to 0.59 Tg CH4 yr � 1 ) from lakes (including reservoirs and ponds). Plentiful water and warm conditions, as well as its large rice paddy area make rice paddies in southeastern China the greatest overall source of CH4, accounting for approximately 55% of total paddy emissions. Natural wetland estimates were slightly higher than the other estimates owing to the higher CH4 emissions recorded within Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau peatlands. Total CH4 emissions from lakes were estimated for the first time by this study, with three quarters from the littoral zone and one quarter from lake surfaces. Rice paddies, natural wetlands, and lakes are not constant sources of CH4, but decreasing ones influenced by anthropogenic activity and climate change. A new progress-based model used in conjunction with more observations through model-data fusion approach could help obtain better estimates and insights with regard to CH4 emissions deriving from wetlands and lakes in China.