Lake Tai
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Lake Tai | |
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Taihu, T'ai-hu | |
太湖 (Chinese) | |
Location | southern Jiangsu and northern Zhejiang |
Coordinates | 31°14′N 120°8′E / 31.233°N 120.133°E |
Basin countries | China |
Surface area | 2,250 km2 (869 sq mi) |
Average depth | 2 m (6.6 ft) |
Islands | 90 |
Settlements | Huzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi |
Lake Tai | |
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Hanyu Pinyin | Tài Hú |
Wu | |
Romanization | Ta Wu |
Taihu (
Lake Tai is linked to the
Formation
Scientific studies suggest that Lake Tai's circular structure is the result of a
rivers eventually sealed off Lake Tai from the sea, and the influx of fresh water from rivers and rains turned it into a freshwater lake.Scenic locations
There are
Three of the lake's islands are preserved as a
Ferris wheel
The "Star of Lake Tai" is a giant, 115-meter (377 ft) ferris wheel on the shore of the lake.[5] Completed in 2008, it takes 18 minutes to complete one revolution. Passengers can enjoy the scenery of Lake Tai and the city center. At night, lighting effects are switched on around the wheel.[citation needed]
Landmarks
- Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort is situated on the southern shore of the lake.
Business and industry
The lake is known for its productive fishing industry and is often covered by fleets of small private fishing boats.[6] Since the late 1970s, harvesting food products such as fish and crabs has been invaluable to people living along the lake and has contributed significantly to the economy of the surrounding area.
The lake is home to an extensive ceramic industry, including the Yixing pottery factory, which produces Yixing clay teapots.
Pollution
Pollution of the lake has been ongoing for decades despite efforts to reduce pollution that were not sustained and thus proved ineffective. In the 1980s and 1990s, the number of industries in the lake region tripled, and the population also increased significantly. One billion tons of wastewater, 450,000 tons of garbage, and 880,000 tons of animal waste were dumped into the shallow lake in 1993 alone. The central government intervened and initiated a campaign to clean up the lake, setting a deadline to comply with pollution standards. When the deadline was not met, 128 factories were closed on New Year's Eve in 1999. Compliance improved somewhat afterwards, but the pollution problem remained severe.[7]
In May 2007, the lake was overtaken by a major
Jiangsu province planned to clean the lake;[12] chaired by then prime minister Wen Jiabao, the State Council set a target to complete the task by 2012.[13] However, in 2010 The Economist reported that pollution had broken out again and that Wu Lihong, released from prison that April, was claiming that the government was trying to suppress news of the outbreak while switching to other supplies in place of lake water.[14]
See also
References
Notes
- ^ Though encompassing a larger surface area than Poyang Lake, the majority of Lake Khanka (Xingkai) is in Russia's Primorsky Krai.
Citations
- ^ 太湖 [Lake Tai]. The Suzhou Science Window 苏州科普之窗 (in Chinese). Science and Technology Association of Suzhou City [苏州市科学技术协会]. Archived from the original on 2007-06-11.
- S2CID 195300513.
- Bibcode:1992lmip.conf...77W.
- ^ Dong; et al. (2012). "The Deformation Features of Quartz grains In the Sandstone of Taihu Area: Taihu Impact Origin Controversy". Geological Journal of China Universities.
- Xinhuanet (in Chinese). Archived from the originalon September 22, 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ Barrett, Rick (February 3, 2007). "China offers open waters". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2007.
- ISBN 1-891936-28-X.
- ^ a b Kahn, Joseph (October 13, 2007). "In China, a Lake's Champion Imperils Himself". International Herald Tribune.
- ^ "Algae smother Chinese lake, millions panic". NBC News. AP. May 31, 2007.
- ^ "China's third-largest freshwater lake faces algae threat". China Daily. Xinhua. April 14, 2008. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
- ^ "Umweltschützer in China - Der unbeugsame Herr Wu". Tagesschau (in German). May 18, 2010. Archived from the original on May 21, 2010.
- ^ "China to clean up polluted lake". BBC News. October 27, 2007.
- ^ "Taihu cleanup plan". China Daily - Across China: Beijing. April 4, 2008. p. 4. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
- ^ The Economist, 7 August 2010 p 49.