Socioeconomic Dimensions of the Coastal Environment of the East China Sea

Abstract

The four coastal provinces (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Taiwan) and autonomous city (Shanghai) adjacent to the East China Sea are among the most developed and the densely populated areas in China. Over the last 30 years, these areas have experienced rapid urbanization and industrialization. With increasing incomes and improved living standards in China, so tourism, traffic, and related industries have also developed rapidly. The rapid urbanization of these provinces along the coast of the East China Sea has adversely impacted the marine environment. Domestic sewage discharge per capita has increased significantly, especially in metropolitan cities such as Shanghai. Illegal reclamation and dumping have also had adverse effects on the marine environment. Increased use of fertilizer to promote higher agricultural crop yields has directly impacted water quality in the East China Sea, leading to widespread eutrophication. Incident such as oil spills has had serious impacts on the marine ecosystem. River inputs represent the largest source of water pollution in the East China Sea, but sewage outfalls, mariculture, engineering activities, agriculture, and nonpoint source pollutants are other key contributors. At the present time, water quality in the East China Sea meets national standards, but it has been deteriorating for the last 10 years. Measures must be implemented to prevent further deterioration in water quality as a result of human activities.