Damming effect on the Changjiang (Yangtze River) river water cycle based on stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopic records

摘要: Abstract More than 50,000 dams have been built in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) catchment over last half century, among which Three Gorges Dam (TGD) is largest hydroelectric engineering project world. The trapping effect of TGD on decline sediment flux has widely documented, while damming impact river water cycle not received enough attention because relative consistence annual discharge. In this regard, we present a new isotopic evidence to illustrate based stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes. A historical comparison seasonal distribution isotope indicates that time lag response meteoric precipitation changed from one month early 1980s approximately two months past decade. one-month slowdown probably result increasing regulation by numerous catchment. This study provides first quantitative evaluation significant cycle, effects ecosystem biogeochemical process marginal sea, as well socioeconomic development China, be carefully considered future.