Status and Treatment Model of Water Resources Pollution in the Yellow River Basin of China

The Yellow River basin water resources have established the material foundation for the livelihood of the local residents and the sustainable development of local economy and society. However, the water resources pollution in the Yellow River basin has been exacerbated due to rapid economic development, unrestrained discharge of industrial wastewater, and long-term shortage of average water resources. To analyse the water pollution status of the Yellow River basin in China and to develop an effective water pollution treatment model, this paper summarizes the research on water resources pollution status of river basins in developed countries of Europe and America and the experience of their treatment models, analyses the present situation of water resources pollution in the Yellow River basin, and proposes feasible treatment strategies. Research results suggest that the river basin water resources treatment experience of developed countries, notably the United States, Australia and Germany, can provide positive implications for the treatment of Yellow River basin. Water pollution in the Yellow River is mainly characterized by four aspects, namely, severity of point pollution sources and increase of sand content; water aggravation, soil loss, and ecological environment vulnerability; uniqueness of the low-reach morphology and frequent occurrence of floods; and serious discharge of industrial wastewater and aggravation of water pollution. In accordance with the Yellow River basin water pollution characteristics, a treatment model integrating the improvement of water resources management legal system, establishment and enhancement of water right transfer system, strengthening of hydraulic engineering projects, unification of water inflow management, and building of an ecological compensation mechanism is proposed. The research findings of this paper can provide references for future analysis of the overall water resources pollution status and trend of the Yellow River basin, as well as for upgrading of its water resources pollution treatment model.