1. Geological Environment

Chongming Island is the largest alluvial sand-island of any river mouth in China. Dongtan is located at the east end of Chongming Island (31o30′N and 121o45′E) and it is one of the island's main deposit zones for silt runoff. It also has the most potential for growth of any other part of the island. Currently, it is expanding outwards at 140 meters per year. The terrain of Dongtan is flat and level, with an altitude of less than 4.2 meters. It is surrounded on three sides by water. The north side faces the terminus of the northern branch of the Changjiang River; the southern side opens to the Beigang (North Port) Water Channel, and the eastern side to the Changjiang River seafront.

2. Natural Conditions

(1) Geology and Landforms

Chongming Island was formed from the accumulation of massive silt deposits flowing down through the Changjiang River and subjected to the intermingling forces of river and sea. Its terrain is flat and completely covered by a porous stratum from the Quaternary Period. There are no hills or mountains, but the terrain is higher in the northwest and central parts and slightly lower in the southwest and east.

(2) Climate

Dongtan is located along the seashore of the southern fringes of the northern subtropics, and it has a marine climate. The temperature is warm and humid and the four seasons are clearly defined. There is ample sunshine, with the maximum exposure being in August and the minimum in February. The total hours of sunlight per year are 2,104. The annual average temperature in Dongtan is 15.3℃, and the hottest days are in July and August, when the average temperature is 27.5℃. The coldest days are in January, when the average temperature is 2.9℃. There is substantial annual rainfall with an annual average of 1117.1 mm.

3. Resources

(1)Geological Resources

The total land area of Dongtan is 8468.7 hectares. It consists of three sectors: the Tuanjiesha block of 2076.7 hectares. (Or 3115 Mu); the Dongwangsha block of 4225.2 hectares (or 63378.5 Mu); and the newly enclosed beach set aside for cultivation (B Beach) outside Dongtan of 2166.8 hectares (or 32502 Mu). This land mainly consists of alluvium from the Changjiang River, with some loam and clay deposits.
Currently, the soil of Dongtan remains unpolluted from heavy metal deposits or toxic organic compounds, and it is suitable for the cultivation of 'green' food produce.

(2) Wetland resources

Dongtan is the biggest wetland at the mouth of the Changjiang River with large silt deposits due to the hydrodynamics of the Yangtze Delta. The natural wetland spreads around the outside of the dam built in 1998, which has grown as a typical tide-shoal wetland with a beach of 3.6 - 4.2 meters high. There are clear borders between bands of common reeds, dense grass and bare beach, as well as many tide ditches.

(3) Tourism resources

Dongtan faces the river and is close to the sea. With its natural and wide landscape, it is a valuable resource for island ecology tourism. The building symbolizing 'union' at the joining point of the Changjiang River, the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea provides an impressive feature for tourists and the area in general offers unique and advantageous natural conditions suitable for leisure and sightseeing.

(4) Varieties of biological resources

Dongtan sits at the mouth of the Changjiang River, and holds both terrestrial and aquatic (freshwater and seawater) resources with great biological diversification. In addition to grain, cotton, oil, vegetable, flower, wood, melon, fruit, medical materials, livestock, and poultry, there are also other biological resources, which hold unique special features, such as:
① Variety of marine life resources: in addition to the 4 main species of fish which are crucian carp, carp, silver carp, and mackerel, there are also natural crabs, richfield eel, soft-shelled turtle, black fish, river shrimp, etc., and the area is the biggest breeding ground for young crabs and eels in the country.
② Variety of marine fishing resources: there are plentiful amounts of yellow croaker, hair tail, butterfish, Chinese herring, ink fish, jellyfish, sea shrimp, swimming crabs, etc.
③ Beach biological resources: the beach contains quantities of clam-like crustaceans, such as Shihuang, razor, Bangqi, etc. and beach plants such as reed, reed-bamboo, Zhaliu (a species of willow), and silk grass, etc.
④ Natural fauna and flora resources: there are 32 species of animals that are categorized Grade 1 or 2 under national protection, such as the Chinese Sturgeon, wild swans, and cranes, etc. and some rare migratory birds such as mandarin duck, large and small swans, white swans, white neck cranes, and gray cranes, etc. as well as some natural plant resources such as Chinese flowering quince, dark green lotus, Asiatic Planlain, and Peilan (a native orchid), etc.
⑤ Native produce: there are more than 20 species of native plants, such as Chinese cabbages, yellow melon, Dahongpao-chidou (a native bean which is a red-coated red bean), white hyacinth bean, fragrant taro, sweet chestnut, white goat, and Chongming narcissus, etc.
(5) Agricultural resources

Due to the fact that Dongtan is relatively new land, having been cultivated for just a few years, and that it lies far from municipal pollution with little wastage, e.g. sewage, gas waste, or other waste materials, it is indeed an exceptionally clean area with unpolluted land, water and air. Based on the results provided by the Shanghai Environmental Academy from their recent study "Research of Dongtan and Green Produce Park and its Surrounding Area", data shows that pollutant content of all types are lower than average levels, and that the integrated pollution coefficient is 0.59~0.69, which is Grade 1. CI content in the irrigated water is evidently lower than before for the south-traverse canal was constructed, and the salt content in the water is 0.2~0.3‰. This integrated pollution coefficient is 0.10~0.58, much lower than the Grade 1 average value of 0.31, and all air pollutant readings met with standard levels, with an integrated pollution coefficient of 0.12~0.53, which is again, Grade 1 This meets the requirements for ecologically friendly ('green') marine produce. The environment for ecological agricultural provides excellent conditions for the production of harmless organic foods.

(6) Marine Life Cultivation Resources

There are rich freshwater and saltwater resources in Dongtan. The water is flows slow and stably, and is warm and highly fertile. As the water is relatively low in pollution, there are large amounts of fresh water fish, waterfowl, and aquatic plants, etc. The temperate zone to subtropical zone provides a suitable habitat for many saltwater and upstream fish, shrimp, and crabs. In addition, the area around Dongtan provides a good feeding ground for many varieties of fish and crabs, as well as a protected area for winter months and laying eggs. Resources of germ plasma required for aquatic produce are also plentiful here and the area is obviously in an ideal position for fishery and marine produce development.