Water chemistry and nitrate pollution in the Liangtan River basin in the Three Gorges Area.

Water chemistry and nitrate pollution loadings in the surface water and groundwater bodies in the Liangtan River basin influenced by human activities in the Three Gorges Area were analysed by water chemistry analysis technology. The results show that: the surface water bodies from the middle-upper reaches of the basin were polluted by nitrate nitrogen, and an increasing tendency is shown in the lower reaches; serious nitrate nitrogen pollution exceeding the standard of 10 mg/L is present in the groundwater bodies in the area between the upper and middle reaches because of the influence of stream water, and decreases downstream towards the outlet.