Question

Which of the following statements concerning the impact of China’s Three Gorges Dam (TGD) project is FALSE?

Group of answer choices

Despite its environmental risks, the TGD was built to control flooding, improve navigation, and generate hydroelectric power.

The TGD has resulted in downstream freshwater shortages, as reduced river flow can no longer hold back strong tidal flows.

As the banks along the TGD reservoir are composed of sediment, landslides could occur that might create tsunami-like waves.

The TGD is built in a tectonically active area, so there is the possibility that the dam could be damaged by an earthquake.

Although downstream water quality did decline, the TGD has provided upstream areas with greatly improved water quality.

Answer 1

The false statement about the Three Gorges Dam is that it has improved water quality upstream. Negative impacts include displacement of people, environmental risks, and downstream water quality decline.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement regarding the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) that is false is that "Although downstream water quality did decline, the TGD has provided upstream areas with greatly improved water quality." The construction of the TGD has indeed contributed to economic development and showcases China's engineering capabilities. Its main purposes were to control flooding, generate hydroelectric power, and improve navigation along the Yangtze River.

The TGD is located in a tectonically active area, raising concerns about the potential for earthquakes that could damage the dam. Environmental risks such as landslides due to the banks along the reservoir being composed of sediment have been noted, along with possible downstream freshwater shortages because the reduced river flow might not hold back strong tidal flows as effectively. The disruption and displacement of over a million people from their homes, the submergence of archaeological sites, and ecological habitat loss have been significant negative impacts.

However, the statement about improved water quality upstream is incorrect. Typically, dams can result in a range of effects on water quality both upstream and downstream due to changes in water flow, sediment deposition, and ecological disruption. The downstream decline in water quality, alongside issues such as sediment build-up and flooding, are more consistent with the expected consequences of such a large hydroelectric project.

Answer 2

The FALSE statement concerning the impact of China's Three Gorges Dam (TGD) project is:

"Although downstream water quality did decline, the TGD has provided upstream areas with greatly improved water quality."

This statement is false because the construction and operation of the Three Gorges Dam have had significant impacts on downstream water quality. Due to reduced river flow downstream, the dam has caused water levels to drop, leading to concentration and accumulation of pollutants in the water. As a result, downstream water quality has been negatively affected, and the reduced river flow can no longer hold back strong tidal flows, contributing to freshwater shortages in downstream areas.