Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Faculty of Biology Department of Zoology Course: Water quality of running waters Teacher: Maria Lazaridou Presentation of: Aurélie Vallée, Isabell Wolowski Dams Their negative Effects on the Environment Construction area of dam (

0 Content 1 The “Three Georges Dam” in China 1.1 the project 1.1 the project 1.2 geological problems 1.2 geological problems 2 negative influences of the dam 2.1 ecological problems 2.1 ecological problems 2.2 social and cultural problems 2.2 social and cultural problems 2.3 financial problems 2.3 financial problems 3 summary of facts 4 References

Pic.2 : Map of China and Location of dam (http//: Pic.3: Yangtze River in china (encarta 2002)

1.1 The Project start of the project, will be finished by across the 3 Georges section of the Yangtze River feet high, 1.3 miles long - backflow will create 360 miles long lake - expected costs: $29 billion Pic.4: Reservoir Capacities (

1.2 geological Problems - build on contact zone of eurasian and indian continental plate indian continental plate - earthquake zone, intensity at least 7 (Richter-scale) every 200 years - high pressure on the dam due to sediments upstream - sudden movement of Water  worldwide catastrophe (angle of rotation axe changes)

2 negative influences of the dam - ecological problems - social and cultural problems - financial problems Pic.5: Demolition of buildings (

2.1 ecological problems - Spreading of water upstream (up to 630 km) plant species, 350 animal species are endangered - Danger of sedimentation - Possibility of climate change million tons of garbage will be submerged due to flooding of… towns villages hospitals and clinics tombs bridges - more than 1700 factories!!! Pic.6/7: The city of Wushan (

2.2 social and cultural problems - flooding of tourist attractions - flooding of most fertile soil areas of china - flooding of populated areas - 1,8 mio people have to be relocated - unemployment, psychological problems - need of new infrastructure and villages - regional conflicts (east vs.west)

2.3 financial problems - Can china afford this project? - Planned costs of $29 billion – now $79 billion - rising prices for electricity Costs of: -dam itsself -relocation of almost 2 mio people -new living space -Demontation of factories…. $$$ New powerstations (atomic & carbon) vs. Dam project

3 Summary of facts - Improvement of the environmental politic??? - destroyed landscape - rising unemployement - social conflicts - financial problems - 30 small dams = same effect, less problems

4 References Microsoft Encarta Enzyklopädie 2002