ZHANG ZUMING

M.Soc.Sci Student

Research Title: Carbon Dioxide Outgassing in a River and Lake System in Southeast Asia
Research Group: Tropical Environmental Change (TEC)
Thesis Advisor: Prof Lu Xi Xi

The Mekong River, a crucial transboundary waterway spanning six countries and supporting the livelihoods of over 60 million people, is experiencing substantial morphodynamic transformations due to fluctuations in sediment flux and flow regimes. Factors such as upstream dam construction and intensive sand mining have disrupted the natural patterns of sediment transport, altering channel morphology, bank stability, and floodplain dynamics.

These geomorphological shifts can have far-reaching consequences for agriculture, fisheries, and biodiversity, directly impacting food security and economic prosperity. By evaluating how varying sediment fluxes and flow regime alterations affect the lower Mekong basin, this thesis underscores the need for holistic strategies that balance ecological integrity with socio-economic development.

The research aims to promote sustainable river basin management, informing policymakers, local stakeholders, and international agencies. Through a deeper understanding of these processes, the study aspires to improve climate resilience, preserve diverse habitats, and support local communities in one of the world’s most productive and vulnerable river deltas.