Potential effect of upstream sediment trap by a dam on dissolved organic matter transported into the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

This paper demonstrates how suspended sediment trapped by dam construction may impact the quantity of dissolved organic matter (DOM) exported discharge entering Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Suspended and water samples were collected along upper Yangtze River its major tributaries, their properties determined. The results provided evidence more polluted nature tributaries compared to mainstream River. However, measured DOM concentration in waters within TGR downstream from tributary confluence, was 14% — 25% lower than that estimated just mixing runoff. In contrast, contents particulate (POM) main increased around 20%, whilst partitioning coefficient between peaked 2.99 × 103. indicated possibly absorbed sourced with contamination. annual load which equals average multiplied runoff, has been predicted increase 15% 23% during operation period an another named after Xiluodu constructed upstream TGR.