Variations of water and sediment discharges to the western coast of Bohai Bay and the environmental impacts
渤海湾西岸入海径流量和输沙量的变化及其环境效应

The Kendall rank correlation test and the Mann-Kendall method were adopted to analyze the characteristics of water and sediment discharges into Bohai Bay over the past 50 years. The results indicate that, the water and sediment discharges have decined dramatically in the past 50 years. The decrease of precipitation and natural runoff are partially responsible for the declrease of water and sediment discharges. Human activities such as the building of reservoirs, floodgates, and water and sediment division along the river channel also contribute to the reduction. The decline of water and sediment discharge into the coastal zone has resulted in increased salinity, deterioration of water quality, and pollution of sediments, which have affected the estuarine ecosystem health and the sustainable use of its biological resources.