The team on wetland aquatic environment and aquatic biology, consisting of researchers from IHB, joined the second comprehensive investigation of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in July, 2019.

The team on wetland aquatic environment and aquatic biology, consisting of researchers from Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of Chinese Academy of Sciences, joined the second comprehensive investigation of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in July, 2019 to conduct the first investigation of the source area of Za'gya Zangbo, Tibet's largest inland river which is more than 5,400 meters above the sea level.

The investigation team set off for the Qiangtang plateau in northern Tibet on June 21, 2019. The focus of this investigation is the aquatic life and water environment of Za'gya Zangbo which is the largest inland river in Tibet and the inflowing river of Lake Selincuo, the largest lake in Tibet. This investigation covered the Za'gya Zangbo from its mouth to the source area located at the periglacial region. The extremely difficult part for the researchers was in the Za'gya Zangbo source area with an average altitude of more than 5,000 meters.

After completing the investigation of the wetland at the mouth of the Za'gya Zangbo, researchers moved to Za'gya Zangbo mouth area. They overcame severe altitude sickness, difficult travel conditions and bad weather and conducted investigation of the samples of the glacier terminus located at the source area of Za'gya Zangbo which is 5,400 meters above the sea level. The team collected the samples of fish, algae, benthonic animal, plankton, and higher plants etc.

This is the first time in recent years that Chinese researchers have conducted investigation on the aquatic life and water environment in the periglacial area at the source of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau river which is 5,400 meters above the sea level. This is also the first time that IHB has participated in the the second comprehensive investigation of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

After completing the investigation of the source area, the research team will continue to investigate the middle reaches of the Za'gya Zangbo and the wetlands in the Lhasa river basin.

 
Tough conditions during the investigation

 
The team on wetland aquatic environment and aquatic biology, consisting of researchers from IHB, joined the second comprehensive investigation of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in July, 2019.