Development and practices of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in China

The paper introduces the research and practices of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in China, including the definition of plan environmental impact assessment (PEIA), its political and legal basis, mode for combining SEA into integration of environment and development in decision-making (IEDD). Then, an operational procedure and methods used for SEA in China, and particularly the enforcement framework of SEA, i.e. subject of implementation, object of SEA, elements and scope, analysing the correlation of different implemented subjects and their responsibility, are discussed. Nine practical case studies are exemplified in this paper, and finally some proposals are given.     

The impact of clean energy development on economic growth in China: from the perspectives of environmental regulation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Given the finite nature of fossil energy and rising environmental pressures, countries are increasing focus on clean energy. By employing provincial...     

Effects of straw returning and feeding on greenhouse gas emissions from integrated rice-crayfish farming in Jianghan Plain,China

Great efforts have been devoted to assessing the effects of straw managements on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, global warming potential (GWP), and net economic budget in rice monoculture (RM). However, few studies have evaluated the effects of straw managements on GHG emissions and net ecosystem economic budget (NEEB) in integrated rice-crayfish farming (RC). Here, a randomized block field experiment was performed to comprehensively evaluate the effects of aquatic breeding practices (feeding or no feeding of forage) and straw managements (rice straw returning or removal) on soil NH₄⁺–N and NO^?₃–N contents, redox potential (Eh), CH₄ and N₂O emissions, GWP, and NEEB of fluvo-aquic paddy soil in a rice-crayfish co-culture system in Jianghan Plain of China. We also compared the differences in CH₄ and N₂O emissions, GWP, and NEEB between RM and RC. Straw returning significantly increased CH₄ and N₂O emissions by 34.9–46.1% and 6.2–23.1% respectively compared with straw removal. Feeding of forage decreased CH₄ emissions by 13.9–18.7% but enhanced N₂O emissions by 24.4–33.2% relative to no feeding. Compared with RM treatment, RC treatment decreased CH₄ emissions by 18.1–19.6% but increased N₂O emissions by 16.8–21.0%. Moreover, RC treatment decreased GWP by 16.8–22.0% while increased NEEB by 26.9–75.6% relative to RM treatment, suggesting that the RC model may be a promising option for mitigating GWP and increasing economic benefits of paddy fields. However, the RC model resulted in a lower grain yield compared with the RM model, indicating that more efforts are needed to simultaneously increase grain yield and NEEB and decrease GWP under RC model.

     

Agriculture,dairy and fishery farming practices and greenhouse gas emission footprint: a strategic appraisal for mitigation

Rising global population would force farmers to amplify food production substantially in upcoming 3–4 decades. The easiest way to increase grain production is through expanding cropping area by clearing uncultivated land. This is attained by permitting deadly loss of carbon (C) stocks, jeopardizing ecosystem biodiversity and deteriorating environmental quality. We aim to propose key agronomical tactics, livestock management strategy and advance approaches for aquaculture to increase productivity and simultaneously reduce the environmental impacts of farming sector. For this, we considered three major sectors of farming, i.e. agriculture, fishery and dairy. We collected literatures stating approaches or technologies that could reduce GHG emission from these sectors. Thereafter, we synthesized strategies or options that are more feasible and accessible for inclusion in farm sector to reduce GHG emission. Having comprehensively reviewed several publications, we propose potential strategies to reduce GHG emission. Agronomic practices like crop diversification, reducing summer fallow, soil organic carbon sequestration, tillage and crop residue management and inclusion of N2-fixing pulses in crop rotations are some of those. Livestock management through changing animals’ diets, optimal use of the gas produced from manures, frequent and complete manure removal from animal housing and aquaculture management strategies to improve fish health and improve feed conversion efficiency could reduce their GHG emission footprint too. Adapting of effective and economic practices GHG emission footprint reduction potential of farming sector could make farming sector a C neutral enterprise. To overcome the ecological, technological and institutional barriers, policy on trade, tax, grazing practice and GHG pricing should be implemented properly.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from an intensively managed greenhouse vegetable cropping system in Northern China

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from a typical greenhouse vegetable system in Northern China were measured from February 2004 to January 2006 using a close chamber method. Four nitrogen management levels (NN, MN, CN, and SN) were used. N₂O emissions occurred intermittently in the growing season, strongly correlating with N fertilization and irrigation. No peak emissions were observed after fertilization in the late Autumn season due to low soil temperature. 57-94% of the seasonal N₂O emissions came from the initial growth stage, corresponding to the rewetting process in the soil. The annual N₂O emissions ranged from 2.6 to 8.8 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, accounting for 0.27-0.30% of the annual nitrogen input. Compared with conventional N management, site-specific N management reduced N fertilization rate by 69% in 2004 and by 76% in 2005, and consequently reduced N₂O emissions by 51% in 2004 and 27% in 2005, respectively.     

Investigating global surface temperature from the perspectives of environmental,demographic, and economic indicators: current status and future temperature trend

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Anthropogenic activities have increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions, which have observably increased global temperature....     

Integrating life cycle assessment and a farmer survey of management practices to study environmental impacts of peach production in Beijing,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - While intensive peach production has expanded rapidly in recent years, few studies have explored the environmental impacts associated with specific...     

Motor transport, greenhouse gases and economic instruments

Motorised transport is the generator of several forms of negative externality including the uncompensated emissions of greenhouse (global warming) gases. This paper looks at some of the underlying economic issues pertaining to policy-making designed to limit the extent of these externalities. It sets out the basic nature of the problem and outlines our knowledge of the link between the physical sciences involved and the relevant economic theory. It focuses, in particular, on the strict question of quasi-internalisation in the context of a global externality.     

Life cycle and economic assessment of source-separated MSW collection with regard to greenhouse gas emissions: a case study in China

In China, the continuously increasing amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) has resulted in an urgent need for changing the current municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system based on mixed collection. A pilot program focusing on source-separated MSW collection was thus launched (2010) in Hangzhou, China, to lessen the related environmental loads. And greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Kyoto Protocol) are singled out in particular. This paper uses life cycle assessment modeling to evaluate the potential environmental improvement with regard to GHG emissions. The pre-existing MSWM system is assessed as baseline, while the source separation scenario is compared internally. Results show that 23 % GHG emissions can be decreased by source-separated collection compared with the base scenario. In addition, the use of composting and anaerobic digestion (AD) is suggested for further optimizing the management of food waste. 260.79, 82.21, and ?86.21 thousand tonnes of GHG emissions are emitted from food waste landfill, composting, and AD, respectively, proving the emission reduction potential brought by advanced food waste treatment technologies. Realizing the fact, a modified MSWM system is proposed by taking AD as food waste substitution option, with additional 44 % GHG emissions saved than current source separation scenario. Moreover, a preliminary economic assessment is implemented. It is demonstrated that both source separation scenarios have a good cost reduction potential than mixed collection, with the proposed new system the most cost-effective one.     

Occurrence,speciation, and risks of trace metals in soils of greenhouse vegetable production from the vicinity of industrial areas in the Yangtze River Delta,China

The effect of industrial activities on trace metals in farmland of rapidly industrializing regions in developing countries has increasingly been a concern to the public. Here, soils were collected from 13 greenhouse vegetable production (GVP) farms or bases near industrial areas in the Yangtze River Delta of China to investigate the occurrence, speciation, and risks of Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Pb in GVP soil. The results revealed that the main metal elements causing GVP soil pollution were Cd, Zn, Ni, and Cu, of which contamination levels were generally unpolluted to moderately polluted. Zinc pollution was mainly attributed to heavy fertilization, while Cd, Ni, and Cu pollution may be greatly ascribed to industrial effluents and coal combustion. Metal speciation studies showed that most of Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn was present in residual fraction while more than half of Cd and Pb was present in non-residual fractions. Additionally, pollution of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn in GVP soil increased their corresponding mobile fractions. Risk assessment using potential ecological risk index and risk assessment code showed that Cd was the major risk contributor. Specifically, Cd generally posed moderate or considerable ecological risk as well as displayed medium or high mobility risk in GVP soil. Thus, great attention should be paid to the contribution of both industrial discharges and intensive farming to soil pollution by trace metals, especially Cd, because of its high mobility risk.

     

Occurrence and assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils from vegetable fields of the Pearl River Delta, South China

Surface soil (0-20 cm) samples from nine representative vegetable fields located in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zengcheng and Huadu within the Pearl River Delta, South China were collected and analyzed for 16 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Total concentrations of 16 PAHs (Sigma(PAHs)) ranged from 160 to 3700 microg kg(-1). Large variations were observed also between concentrations of individual PAHs from different vegetable fields and within the site as well. Acenapthylene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[k]fluoranthene were consistently the most prevalent individual PAHs. The values of PAH isomer ratios [anthracene/(anthracene+phenanthrene) and fluoranthene/(fluoranthene+pyrene)] indicate that combustion processes are the major sources of PAHs. Concentrations of PAHs were poorly correlated with organic carbon concentrations of soils, suggesting different sources and also indicating that the PAH pollution of this area is recent. The same outcome is confirmed by the predominance of PAHs with fewer rings (相似文献   

Understanding the dynamics of natural resources rents,environmental sustainability,and sustainable economic growth: new insights from China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - There is a close relationship between natural resources and production in many sectors, and production and consumption can also have an environmental...     

中国交通规划战略环境评价的若干问题探讨

《中华人民共和国环境影响评价法》实施5年多以来,交通规划战略环境评价的开展有效推进了中国交通建设的可持续发展。目前,该领域在理论研究和实践应用方面都取得了一定的成绩,但也存在一些不足。在回顾国内外交通规划战略环境评价发展历程和特点的基础上,就中国交通规划战略环境评价在层次性、定性与定量评价的把握以及如何有效融入决策过程等方面的问题进行了初步探讨,并建议尽早开展利益相关方分析、推广综合情景+定量模型的技术方法、引入制度分析方法并开展广泛的公众参与等,为完善中国的交通规划战略环境评价提供参考。     

Preliminary investigation of greenhouse gas emissions from the environmental sector in Taiwan

The United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change (UNFCCC) asks their Parties to submit a National Inventory Report (NIR) for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on an annual basis. However, when many countries are quickly growing their economy, resulting in substantial GHG emissions, their inventory reporting systems either have not been established or been able to be linked to planning of mitigation measures at national administration levels. The present research was aimed to quantify the GHG emissions from an environmental sector in Taiwan and also to establish a linkage between the developed inventories and development of mitigation plans. The "environmental sector" consists of public service under jurisdiction of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration: landfilling, composting, waste transportation, wastewater treatment, night soil treatment, and solid waste incineration. The preliminary results were compared with that of the United States, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, and Korea, considering the gaps in the scopes of the sectors. The GHG emissions from the Taiwanese environmental sector were mostly estimated by following the default methodology in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guideline, except that of night soil treatment and waste transportation that were modified or newly developed. The GHG emissions from the environmental sectors in 2004 were 10,225 kilotons of CO2 equivalent (kt CO2 Eq.). Landfilling (48.86%), solid waste incineration (27%), and wastewater treatment (21.5%) were the major contributors. Methane was the most significant GHG (70.6%), followed by carbon dioxide (27.8%) and nitrous oxide (1.6%). In summary, the GHG emissions estimated for the environmental sector in Taiwan provided reasonable preliminary results that were consistent and comparable with the existing authorized data. On the basis of the inventory results and the comparisons with the other countries, recommendations of mitigation plans were made, including wastewater and solid waste recycling, methane recovery for energy, and waste reduction/sorting.     

Benefits of sustainable waste management in the vegetable greenhouse industry

This study investigated the benefits of an on-site sustainable solid waste treatment and utilization system for the greenhouse industry. The composts made from greenhouse wastes were tested and found to contain high nutrient values and good physical properties, and could be used as high quality growing media. The finished composts were tested in a greenhouse against the conventional growth media (sawdust) and resulted in a 10% yield increase by using the compost. An economic analysis was conducted to show the economic benefits of on-site composting for a greenhouse operation. Based on a four-hectare tomato or pepper greenhouse, and amortizing the capital equipment over five years, the net annual cost of composting represents a savings of dollars 8,000 annually.     

AERMOD在国内环境影响评价中的实例验证与应用

AERMOD是美国环保局推出的新一代空气质量模式系统,它由AERMET(气象数据预处理器)、AERMAP(地形数据预处理器)和AERMOD(大气扩散模型)3部分组成.结合宁波市北仑区域大气环境影响评价,对该模式系统进行模式验证,并应用于实际预测评价.验证结果表明,在采用适当的模型参数时,该系统预测值与实际监测值具有很好的一致性,SO2、NO2日均最高浓度预测准确率分别达到64.3%和85.7%.最后结合实际预测评价工作,提出AERMOD模式系统在国内环境影响评价工作中的优势及不足.     

Microbial diversity in solar greenhouse soils in Round-Bohai Bay-Region,China: The influence of cultivation year and environmental condition

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Round-Bohai Bay (RBB)-Region is an important crop production area in China, where vegetables are mainly produced in solar greenhouses. However,...     

A multi-objective assessment of an air quality monitoring network using environmental,economic, and social indicators and GIS-based models

In the United States, air pollution is primarily measured by Air Quality Monitoring Networks (AQMN). These AQMNs have multiple objectives, including characterizing pollution patterns, protecting the public health, and determining compliance with air quality standards. In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a directive that air pollution agencies assess the performance of their AQMNs. Although various methods to design and assess AQMNs exist, here we demonstrate a geographic information system (GIS)-based approach that combines environmental, economic, and social indicators through the assessment of the ozone (O₃) and particulate matter (PM10) networks in Maricopa County, Arizona. The assessment was conducted in three phases: (1) to evaluate the performance of the existing networks, (2) to identify areas that would benefit from the addition of new monitoring stations, and (3) to recommend changes to the AQMN. A comprehensive set of indicators was created for evaluating differing aspects of the AQMNs’ objectives, and weights were applied to emphasize important indicators. Indicators were also classified according to their sustainable development goal. Our results showed that O₃ was well represented in the county with some redundancy in terms of the urban monitors. The addition of weights to the indicators only had a minimal effect on the results. For O₃, urban monitors had greater social scores, while rural monitors had greater environmental scores. The results did not suggest a need for adding more O₃ monitoring sites. For PM10, clustered urban monitors were redundant, and weights also had a minimal effect on the results. The clustered urban monitors had overall low scores; sites near point sources had high environmental scores. Several areas were identified as needing additional PM10 monitors. This study demonstrates the usefulness of a multi-indicator approach to assess AQMNs. Network managers and planners may use this method to assess the performance of air quality monitoring networks in urban regions.

Implications:The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a directive in 2006 that air pollution agencies assess the performance of their AQMNs; as a result, we developed a GIS-based, multi-objective assessment approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social indicators, and demonstrates its use through assessing the O₃ and PM₁₀ monitoring networks in the Phoenix metropolitan area. We exhibit a method of assessing network performance and identifying areas that would benefit from new monitoring stations; also, we demonstrate the effect of adding weights to the indicators. Our study shows that using a multi-indicator approach gave detailed assessment results for the Phoenix AQMN.     

Improved economic and environmental outcomes from targeted fertilizer policy

The overuse of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for wheat is a serious problem in China, and previous studies seldom distinguish between the use of basal and topdressing N fertilizer. Data from 225 households in Jiangsu Province, China (a wheat planting area), were collected through face-to-face interviews with each head of the household. Regression models were used to study factors affecting farmers’ application of basal and topdressing N fertilizers separately. Fertilizer retailers proposed fertilizer application levels that were in opposition to their concern for the environment. Farmers’ concern for the environment only affected their application of topdressing N fertilizer and had no significant influence for use of total N fertilizer. The farmland area and amount of experience planting wheat had negative effects on basal N fertilizer use, but not on topdressing fertilizer. In the study area, the optimal strategy for decreasing N fertilizer application is designing policies to rent more farmlands to farmers with the most experience first. These farmers with their higher farm income would decrease basal N fertilizer use and the basal-topdressing ratio to improve N fertilizer use efficiency and then decrease the N fertilizer leaching into the environment.