Mission

The TGIEE is dedicated to research and development in regard of environmental protection and ecological conservation of the super-sized reservoirs. Aiming to achieve the goal of ‘GREEN THREE GORGES’, we are engaged in-depth research on multi-factor coupling and reciprocal effects, evolution and regulating mechanisms for reservoir ecosystems. To curb environmental pollution and maintain ecosystem integrity, we are further exploring the monitoring instruments and treatment equipment in hope of realizing industrialization. Meanwhile, we intend to establish an innovative platform accumulating talents with profound ideas and remarkable achievements in a collaborative manner. This platform is expected to become a first-class research center for cultivating talents and exporting high-tech products, and thereby provide scientific support and technical service for the associated industry regionally and over China.

1) Ecological Dynamics and Regeneration: Focusing on theoretical and applied studies on ecosystem dynamics, water pollution control and ecological regeneration in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (TGRR), RCEDR undertakes research and demonstration projects of nutrients cycle and feedback regulation in wetlands, water purification theory and model, landscape change pattern and ecological restoration. The goal of RCEDR is to become one of the leading research platforms studying ecosystem dynamics of reservoir environment in China.

2) Environmental Benign Chemical Process (RCEBCP): The RCEBCP focuses on the research and development of the application of critical water system for environmental engineering，material synthesis, and chemical process improvement. Based on the fundamental research of critical water system, we intend to develop new waste treatment and waste-to-energy technologies, multidimensional material synthesis methods, and green chemical processes. Also, we are interested to improve the critical water technologies for the demonstration, and foster to set up an international platform for the development and industrialization.

3) Environment and Health (RCEH): Our research interests mainly focus on studying toxicological effects, mechanisms and ecological risk assessment of classic environmental pollutants. We are endeavoring to develop the aquatic real-time biological monitoring technologies, and explore the pathogenic mechanisms or carcinogenesis. Our final goal is to provide the theoretical bases and technical support for environmental protection and the potential therapies of the related human diseases.

4) Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (RCEME): The RCEME is dedicated to developing environmental biotechnology with a focus on biological process of environmental pollution control in natural and engineered system. Specifically, we mainly research on municipal solid waste (MSW) management, resource reuse, mining and hydrometallurgy pollution control, and engineering microorganism application.

5) Atmospheric Environment (RCAE): The RCAE is dedicated to the state-of-art science and technology development for controlling “complex atmospheric pollution” and the major demand for improving atmospheric environment in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. We intend to launch basic, prospective and original study on source, formation mechanism, effects and control technology of atmospheric pollutants, and establish an important research and development platform for complex atmospheric pollution control in the region.

6) Pollution Process and Treatment of Wastewater (RCPPTW): Attempting to disclose the mechanism governing the aqueous pollution processes and the state-of–art technologies of pollution treatment in the Three Gorges Reservoir, the research center is dedicated the fundamental research on the migration process of pollutants, structure-effect relationship of pollutants and mechanism of pollutant transformation. Simultaneously, we intend to develop new technologies, new materials and new process for the elimination of toxic substances and wastewater reuse. We will further promote the engineered applications of these achievements, and will build demonstration base of high-concentration wastewater.

7) Research Center of Membrane Technology (RCMT): We are committed to the application of membrane technology in sewage reclamation, drinking water purification, air purification etc. Guided by setting up an open-style research platform for membrane technology, we intend to carry out the research on designing, preparation and applications of high performance membrane materials. The aim is to become an international advanced research center and an achievement transformation platform for membrane technology, and drive the establishment and development of the membrane industry base.

8) Shale gas development technology (RCSGDT): Focusing on the evaluation technology for shale gas resources, safe drilling and stimulation technology, we are building a platform for the study of exploration technology, safe and efficient drilling technology, nano-production technology in shale reservoir. We aim to establish a regional and national research center for the exploration and development of shale gas.

Our institute has over 80 research staffs: 24 researchers with overseas studying experience, 3 recipients of “hundred talents program” of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 7 professors and 9 associate professors.

Principal scientists

1. Scientific Research Platform

1) Developing a key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a Research Center of Water-Quality Control Engineering for Three Gorges Reservoir, Chongqing.

2) Set up a pilot-scale demonstration base for landfill leachate treatment in Chongqing.

3) Establish first field station on secondary wetland ecosystem of the Three Gorges Reservoir in the Kaixian, Chongqing.

4) Established a comprehensive base for field experimental study of ecological environment in Three Gorges (Wan Zhou, Chongqing).

5) Set up the first station for comprehensive observation and research on atmospheric environment in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.

2. Recent Progress

1) Development of the novel E-Fenton process with the reaction-controlled pH adjustment that free of chemical addition.

2) Mapping the distribution of PM2.5 chemical speciation across China for the first time.

3) Preliminary identification of the key PM2.5 components and influential factors for haze formation in representative megacities.

4) Development of the supercritical water oxidation technology for pollutant treatment.

5) Developing the transparent fish from local fish lines for toxicology study by using novel genetic editing techniques.

6) Nanomaterials produced by microorganism mineralization on Mn(II) efficiently adsorbs heavy metals (Cr+6) in aqueous solution.

7) Research and development of the integrated bioreactor for domestic sewage treatment by micro-aerobic technology.

8) It is the first time to adopt the micro/nano fiber reinforcement technology to prepare the high strength PVDF hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane and membrane system for water purification.