Long-term Changes in Major Ion Chemistry-Similarities and Differences Between Inflow Rivers and the Lake in Taihu Watershed, China.

The major ion chemistry in the Taihu watershed has dramatically changed due to human disturbances; however, little is known about the similarities and differences in the responses of the inflow rivers and Taihu lake to the disturbances. Using historical (1950s–1970s) and recent (2018–2021) water chemistry data of inflow rivers and the lake, as well as socioeconomic and land use data, we explored the drivers for the major ion chemistry change and different responses of the inflow rivers and the receiving lake. The results indicated that, compared with 1950s–1970s, all the major ions and TDS in rivers and Taihu lake significantly increased (by 91