The environment of East China Sea (ECS) has been
faced by huge stresses from anthropogenic activities and
population growth in the Yangtze River drainage basin
and the areas along the coasts. Improper use of natural
resources and short-term economic objectives have
resulted in severe environmental degradation in a fairly
short time frame and the degradation has now reached
a level where the health and well being of the coastal
populations are threatened. The main pollutants are
inorganic nitrogen, phosphate, oil hydrocarbons, organic
matters and heavy metals. Nutrients cause eutrophication
of the coastal waters and the estuarine area and very often
stimulate the occurrence of red tides. The environmental
pollution of Yangtze River basin directly impact on the
state of the marine environment in the ECS.The ecosystem
stability is maintained by a steady water discharge from
the river, that mixes with the marine salty water in the
estuary, and the sediment loads from the river that balance
ocean erosion in the delta and its adjacent coastal area.
The large-scale water transfer and dam constructions in
the Yangtze River basin will change this basis. For the
ECS the challenge is to reverse the negative processes
taking place and to restore ecosystem balance. The main
challenge is to integrate socioeconomic and environmental
decision making in order to promote sustainable development.
A better understanding of the driving forces in
society that cause these environmental pressures is
required in order to overcome these obstacles.
International cooperation may be an important contributor
to the progress and in particular provide access to financial,
technological, scientific and human resource assistance