Controlling non-point-source pollution by rural resource recycling. Nitrogen runoff in Tai Lake valley, China, as an example |
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Authors: | Weiwen Zhang Minjun Shi Zuhui Huang |
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Institution: | (1) College of Public Administration, Zhejiang University, 268 Kaixuan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310029, PR China;(2) College of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China;(3) Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China |
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Abstract: | Agricultural non-point-source (NPS) pollution is regarded as the dominant contributor to water quality degradation and eutrophication in China. Nitrogen (N) is a primary source of pollution in fresh water bodies. In this work a linear programming model was developed to simulate the effectiveness of different nitrogen runoff control policies, using Pinghu City in Tai Lake valley as an example. Four policy scenarios were tested: a tax at a rate equivalent to 50% of the cost of nitrogen fertilizer (S1); a ban on summer fertilizer applications to make the most use of fertilizer applied in the spring (S2); mandatory substitution of regular fertilizers by controlled-release fertilizers (S3); and a subsidy of US$300 ha−1 (RMB¥150 mu−1) for using compost (S4). The results indicate that all four policies would effectively reduce nitrogen runoff—by 9.8, 26.8, 14.4, and 80.0%, respectively. A subsidy for recycling domestic animal manure and utilizing compost had the most significant effect on the reduction of nitrogen runoff without reducing household income. This research suggests that measures to control agricultural NPS pollution should be combined with a policy to promote recycling of bio-resources and that financial support for NPS pollution control combined with bio-resource recycling should be regarded as one aspect of public investment in regional sustainable development. |
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Keywords: | NPS pollution Nitrogen runoff Compost Recycling Subsidy |
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