Toward sustainable use of natural resources: Nexus between resource rents,affluence, energy intensity and carbon emissions in developing and transition economies

Sustainable use of natural resources would entail ensuring that derived economic benefits today do not undermine the welfare of generations to come. On this basis, this study examines the nexus between natural resource rents and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions disaggregated into production and consumption-based (i.e., trade-adjusted) CO₂ emissions for a selected panel of 45 developing and transition economies over the period 1995–2017. The empirical model also incorporates the impacts of population, affluence, and energy intensity. The results show that affluence increases production-based CO₂ emissions by 1.407%, with the EKC's predicted inverted U-shaped curve only explaining consumption-based CO₂ emissions. Economic reliance on natural resource rents and energy intensification contribute 0.022% and 0.766%, respectively, to CO₂ emissions embedded in territorial production inventories and 0.035% and 0.583%, respectively, to CO₂ emissions embedded in consumption inventories. The bootstrap non-causality test shows that historical data on each variable has significant predictive power for future CO₂ emissions from both sources. The historical information about natural resource rents has significant predictive power over the future levels of affluence and energy intensity. Clearly, the results show that the environmental impact of natural resource rents is stronger when CO₂ emissions are adjusted for trade and varies among the countries, with Bangladesh, Guinea, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe among the most affected countries. Overall, this study provides motivation for policies to keep the use of natural resources within sustainable limits.     

2016—2017年武汉市城区大气PM2.5污染特征及来源解析

利用2016年1月至2017年9月湖北省环境监测中心站大气复合污染自动监测站的在线监测数据，对武汉市城区PM_2.5的污染特征及主要来源进行解析。结果表明，武汉市城区PM_2.5质量浓度呈现出明显的季节差异，季节变化规律为冬季>春季>秋季>夏季。水溶性离子的主要成分SO₄^2-、NO₃^-和NH₄⁺占总离子质量浓度的82.0%。PM_2.5中阴离子相对阳离子较为亏损，颗粒整体呈碱性。夏季气态污染物的氧化程度较高且SO₂较NO₂氧化程度高。后向轨迹分析结果表明，区域传输是武汉市PM_2.5的一个重要来源，在4个典型重污染阶段，武汉市分别受到局地、东北、西北及西南方向气团传输的影响。PMF模型解析出武汉市PM_2.5五大主要来源及平均贡献率：扬尘22.0%、机动车排放27.7%、二次气溶胶21.6%、重油燃烧14.9%和生物质燃烧13.8%。     

石家庄市春季大气颗粒物的铅污染特征

为了解石家庄市2016年春季大气颗粒物的铅污染特征及来源,利用单颗粒气溶胶质谱仪(SPAMS),分析了大气中含铅颗粒的化学成分。结果表明: 研究期间大气环境中含铅颗粒数浓度共出现11次跳跃式升高,跳跃时间段内石家庄均处于轻度污染过程。从成分分析来看,含铅颗粒分为纯铅颗粒、Pb与K(Pb-K)、OC(Pb-OC)、Cl(Pb-Cl)、混合颗粒等八大类。观测结果表明:Pb-K颗粒最多,占到含铅颗粒的84.4%；其次为纯铅颗粒,占比为13.0%。与石家庄市污染源谱库比对进行来源解析,得到Pb-K颗粒主要来自生活垃圾焚烧源, 纯铅颗粒主要来自工业源。结合石家庄市大气污染源排放清单和后向气流轨迹分析,推测含铅颗粒可能来自市区西南方向某区县的生活垃圾焚烧企业。     

2013-2017年京津冀区域PM2.5浓度变化特征

利用2013-2017年京津冀区域13个城市PM_2.5监测数据，综合探讨了该区域PM_2.5浓度的时空变化特征。结果表明：京津冀区域PM_2.5污染整体较重，但治理成效显著，2013-2017年区域PM_2.5年均质量浓度分别为106、93、77、71、64 μg/m³，完成《大气污染防治行动计划》PM_2.5浓度下降25%左右的目标；13个城市PM_2.5浓度各百分位数总体呈现下降趋势，且随百分位数增大而下降速率加大，PM_2.5年均质量浓度平均每年下降10.6 μg/m³，污染严重的太行山沿线城市邢台、石家庄、邯郸3个城市平均每年分别下降20.3、16.1、13.9 μg/m³；京津冀区域PM_2.5重度污染天数比例分别为19.9%、16.6%、9.5%、9.0%、7.0%，呈下降趋势。2013-2017年京津冀区域PM_2.5平均质量浓度与非重度污染天相比升高19 μg/m³，PM_2.5重度污染天平均质量浓度较非重度污染天时高244.4%。     

Effects of EGR on performance and emissions of a diesel engine fuelled with balanites aegyptiaca/diesel blends

In this study, balanites Aegyptiaca (L.) Del biodiesel was blended in proportions of 10% and 20% on the volume basis with diesel fuel and tested in a single cylinder, VCR diesel engine under measured load conditions with varied EGR rates (0, 10 and 20%). The results showed that B10 and B20 blends shown a significant reduction rate in terms of NO_x emissions that were familiar with biodiesel blends. At peak load conditions, BTE increased slightly for test fuel blends compared with pure diesel fuel while the BSFC rate and EGT suffered from increasing and decreasing nature with respect to blending percentage. From the emissions point of view, with the increase in blends percentage, a significant reduction rate is observed in terms of CO and HC concentrations (up to 12.34 and 17.5%, respectively) while NOx emissions decreased at peak load conditions (up to 24.34%). HC and CO emissions decreased with increase in blends percentage. However, lower levels of NO_x and EGT (up to 21.37 and 8.47%, respectively) and the average increase in terms of BTE and BSFC (up to 2.83 and 2.9%, respectively) can be realised with B20 test fuel blend under 20% EGR rate.     

The accounting method and application of CO2 emissions responsibility by the electricity sector at the provincial level in China

When accounting the CO₂ emissions responsibility of the electricity sector at the provincial level in China,it is of great significance to consider the scope of both producers’ and the consumers’ responsibility,since this will promote fairness in defining emission responsibility and enhance cooperation in emission reduction among provinces.This paper proposes a new method for calculating carbon emissions from the power sector at the provincial level based on the shared responsibility principle and taking into account interregional power exchange.This method can not only be used to account the emission responsibility shared by both the electricity production side and the consumption side,but it is also applicable for calculating the corresponding emission responsibility undertaken by those provinces with net electricity outflow and inflow.This method has been used to account for the carbon emissions responsibilities of the power sector at the provincial level in China since 2011.The empirical results indicate that compared with the production-based accounting method,the carbon emissions of major power-generation provinces in China calculated by the shared responsibility accounting method are reduced by at least 10%,but those of other power-consumption provinces are increased by 20% or more.Secondly,based on the principle of shared responsibility accounting,Inner Mongolia has the highest carbon emissions from the power sector while Hainan has the lowest.Thirdly,four provinces,including Inner Mongolia,Shanxi,Hubei and Anhui,have the highest carbon emissions from net electricity outflow- 14 million t in 2011,accounting for 74.42% of total carbon emissions from net electricity outflow in China.Six provinces,including Hebei,Beijing,Guangdong,Liaoning,Shandong,and Jiangsu,have the highest carbon emissions from net electricity inflow- 11 million t in 2011,accounting for 71.44% of total carbon emissions from net electricity inflow in China.Lastly,this paper has estimated the emission factors of electricity consumption at the provincial level,which can avoid repeated calculations when accounting the emission responsibility of power consumption terminals（e.g.construction,automobile manufacturing and other industries）.In addition,these emission factors can also be used to account the emission responsibilities of provincial power grids.     

杭州市环境空气中黑碳质量浓度变化特征

采用2013年环境空气自动监测数据,分析杭州市空气中黑碳质量浓度的变化规律,并对变化特征的产生原因进行探讨。结果表明:黑碳测定年均值为4.10μg/m3,日变化有明显双峰结构,峰值出现在早7时和晚8时左右;从季节看,黑碳质量浓度冬季高(5.20μg/m3)、夏季低(3.00μg/m3);黑碳质量浓度与NO2、CO、PM10、PM2.5显著相关,与O3、风速、气温呈负相关,降水对黑碳的清除作用明显。     

A novel driver hazard perception sensitivity model based on drivers’ characteristics: A simulator study

Objective: Considering the high annual number of fatal driving accidents in Iran, any approach for reducing the number or severity of driving accidents is a positive step toward decreasing accident-related losses. Accidents can often be avoided by a timely reaction of the driver. One of the steps before reacting to a hazard is perception. Some driver characteristics may affect road hazard perception. In this research, it was assumed that various driver characteristics, including demographic characteristics and cognitive characteristics, have an impact on driver perception.

Methods: The driving simulator used in this research provides various scenarios; for example, passing a pedestrian or animal across the road or placing fixed objects in a 2-lane separated rural road for 2 groups of experienced and inexperienced drivers under day and night lighting conditions. The go/no-go test was carried out in order to assess drivers’ attention to driving tasks and inhibitory control. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to estimate the relation between driver characteristics and sensitivity to road hazard perception. A new hazard perception index was proposed based on the time intervals in the hazard vulnerability.

Results: The results show that the most effective variables in the analysis of sensitivity to hazard perception are driving experience (in kilometers) during the last 3 years and road lighting conditions. Moreover, hazard perception sensitivity was improved by better inhibitory control, selective attention, and decision making, more carefulness, the average amount of daily sleep, and marital status.

Conclusion: The results of this research may be useful in educating and advertising programs. It also could enhance sensitivity to perception of hazards such as pedestrians, animals, and fixed obstacles among young and novice drivers.     

江苏省2014-2016年臭氧污染区域特征分析

分析2014—2016年江苏省O₃污染状况，以及苏北、苏中和苏南3个典型区域O₃年度、季度、日变化和频度占比等分布特征。结果表明，江苏省的O₃空间分布呈现北低南高，2014—2016年的O₃超标占比由18.4%上升至34.9%；2016年苏北、苏中和苏南地区O₃-8h第90百分位数与2014年相比，上升2.7%，21.8%和3.3%；3个区域夏季O₃-8h均值最高，春、秋2季次之，冬季最低；O₃-1h日变化呈单峰状态，最低值出现在06:00—07:00，最高值出现在15:00—16:00；2016年3个地区的O₃频度占比均呈正态分布，主要集中在40~80 μg/m³，所占比例均>15%；苏中和苏南区域2016和2014年相比O₃频率占比的变化幅度较大，苏北地区变化幅度不大。指出，江苏省的O₃污染程度在逐年提高，污染范围从苏南逐渐往中部和北部城市扩大。     

徐州大气颗粒物污染特征及传输途径分析

利用徐州2015年PM2.5和PM10逐小时质量浓度数据,分析了徐州颗粒物时空变化特征。同时基于HYSPLIT后向轨迹模式,结合GDAS气象数据和空气质量数据,利用轨迹聚类及潜在源分析法研究徐州不同季节气流轨迹对颗粒物浓度的影响及PM2.5和PM10的潜在来源。结果显示,2015年徐州环境空气中PM2.5和PM10的年均值为65和122μg/m3,分别超过国家《环境空气质量标准》(GB 3095—2012)二级标准限值86%和63%。各国控站点ρ(PM2.5)和ρ(PM10)月变化呈现一致的冬季高夏季低的"V"型变化特征,这与气象条件和气流轨迹特征季节性变化有关。秋冬季污染较高时期徐州主要受西北内陆性气团和较为稳定的气象条件影响,而春夏季来自较为干净的东部海洋性气团利于污染扩散。潜在源分析显示,山东、安徽、苏中南、浙西北等地区是影响徐州市PM2.5和PM10的主要潜在源区。各季节潜在源区分布范围有一定差异,冬季时潜在源区分布最广,并有明显向西北方向转移延伸的趋势。