When Environmental Action Does Not Activate Concern: The Case of Impaired Water Quality in Two Rural Watersheds

Little research has considered how residents’ perceptions of their local environment may interact with efforts to increase environmental concern, particularly in areas in need of remediation. This study examined the process by which local environmental action may affect environmental concern. A model was presented for exploring the effects of community-based watershed organizations (CWOs) on environmental concern that also incorporates existing perceptions of the local environment. Survey data were collected from area residents in two watersheds in southwestern Pennsylvania, USA, an area affected by abandoned mine drainage. The findings suggest that residents’ perceptions of local water quality and importance of improving water quality are important predictors of level of environmental concern and desire for action; however, in this case, having an active or inactive CWO did not influence these perceptions. The implications of these findings raise important questions concerning strategies and policy making around environmental remediation at the local level.     

National benefits,local costs? Local residents' views on environmental and social effects of large‐scale mining in Chingola,Zambia

This study examined the environmental and social effects of large‐scale mining in Chingola, Zambia. Data was collected through semi‐structured interviews with 164 residents living close to Zambia's largest open pit mine, key informants and desk analysis of secondary data. Quantitative data was analysed using the chi‐square test, one sample T‐test and two sample Z‐proportions test, while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. Results show that the residents reported being most affected by sulphur dioxide air emissions and noise pollution due to the proximity of the copper smelter and heavy moving machinery to their residences. The residents received domestic water containing rust and copper ore particles from the water utility company which draws raw water from the mine. Although the mine was a source of employment for locals, over 4,000 jobs (representing a 33% decrease) have been lost over a period of 4 years, negatively affecting the local economy. Mine management attributed the job losses to high production costs and mechanization of mining processes. The residents perceived the job losses to have led to crime, alcohol abuse and prostitution among youths as well as a general increase in poverty levels. Analysis of air emissions data from the mine found elevated levels of dust, cadmium, copper and lead pollutants. Key informants from Nchanga Mine reported implementing bioremediation to reduce soil contamination by the heavy metals and recycling SO₂ to produce sulphuric acid. The study recommends an increase in social corporate responsibility from the mine management to ensure residents derive more substantive benefits from their proximity to the mine.     

Residents' perceptions of water quality improvements following remediation work in the Pymme's Brook catchment, north London, UK

Residents' perceptions of water quality change following remediation work in the upper Pymme's Brook catchment (north London) were elicited by questionnaire and compared with monitored changes in Escherichia coli count and BMWP (The Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP)) score. The wider usefulness of consumer perception surveys was then discussed. Monthly data collected between 1990 and 1996 shows that both E. coli count and BMWP score improved following flushing of the foul sewerage system in 1992, but that only E. coli count improved following the subsequent completion of large-scale remedial engineering works. Local residents were surveyed regarding their awareness of the scheme, and the causes of pollution, together with their perceptions as to the effects of the engineering works and of the resulting water quality improvements. Most respondents selected and ranked indicators in a way that suggested they had an awareness of the significance of various indicators of pollution severity. Following completion of the remediation scheme, residents perceived the watercourse to contain less rubbish and sewage fungus, and to have an improved colour and smell, which corresponds favourably to the monitored improvements. However, respondents' perceptions were found to vary when the study population was sub-divided using a range of parameters. For instance, frequent observers of the brook were most likely to correctly identify sewage as the main form of pollution. These divergent perceptions suggest that there may be considerable difficulties when perception surveys are used to quantify 'benefits' following environmental improvement programmes. Nevertheless, the survey was clearly beneficial in enhancing residents' awareness of their environment and the role of their voice in its management.     

重庆市河堰村景观改变对水环境的影响

为了研究农村景观改变对水环境的影响,选取重庆市河堰村为研究对象,运用SWMM水文模拟软件,分析了研究区域的景观变迁与水量、水质变化的相互关系;通过访谈当地居民,分析了土地利用与景观变化对水环境的影响机制。认为(1)散点状的居民点分布模式与"村村通公路,户户通水泥"的农村道路建设以及庭院硬质化导致农村不透水表面面积迅速增加,缩短了雨水汇流时间并加速了污染物向水体的转移。(2)山体开发和现代农田水利工程的建设,如水库、山坪塘和排灌沟渠等的建设导致水体自净能力降低,加重了水体污染。(3)地表硬质化与河床沟渠化加速了水过程从而加速水环境的破坏。(4)人水关系由"我"、"你"变成"我"、"它",农民在卫生意识上升的同时缺乏相应的环保意识。     

禾木景区社区居民旅游影响感知实证研究

旅游目的地居民作为旅游产业的重要利益相关者,对当地发展旅游业的感知和态度直接影响着当地旅游资源的合理利用及旅游业的健康发展.运用社会交互理论和道科西旅游发展阶段理论,通过问卷调查和实地访谈的方法,从四个维度研究了禾木景区社区居民对旅游影响的感知和态度.结果表明,当地居民对旅游经济的影响大都持乐观的支持态度,旅游发展使居民的生计方式、收入水平明显改善;对生活环境的影响较大,对生态环境和环保意识的影响较小;对居民的传统文化影响较弱,居民与游客的双向交流很少,旅游业仍处于初级发展阶段.因此,当地居民的旅游感知目前还停留在经济层面,缺少对传统文化、自然生态、环境保护等感知的关注.     

Living with Pollution in Egypt

Environmental issues are increasingly discussed in Egypt, and there is some progress in dealing with pollution. This paper examines the environmental understandings of Egyptians living in four localities. People are preoccupied with such pollution problems as dirty streets, dirty air and water, and noise, for they aspire to live in a clean, healthy environment. To achieve this, they pressure the government, and take certain individual and collective actions themselves, although direct political action is rare.     

中国突发环境事件时间序列分析

突发性环境事件时间序列特征可表征环境风险管理成效及存在问题。研究表明2000年以来中国突发环境事件预防、控制与管理取得了显著成效,其中,突发性水污染事件、大气污染事件以及噪声振动危害年发生频次呈大幅度降低趋势,但固废污染事件自2003年以来的年发生频次变化不大,而其它突发性环境事件自2002年以来的年发生频次则呈快速增长态势,说明中国在强调突发性水环境和大气环境事件监管的同时,还需加强固废污染事件及其它类型突发环境事件的监控与管理。     

Considering climate change and regional differences: An efficiency assessment of coal mine use and land restoration

China is the country with the largest coal mining production and consumption in the world, but due to a large amount of coal burning, air pollution and climate change are exasperating related problems. The previous literature mainly has discussed coal mine production and environmental pollution, but failed to take into account external factors such as climate change and seldom discussed the relationship between coal mine land use and land restoration. Therefore, this study uses the meta-Epsilon-Based Measure two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis under the exogenous model and incorporates coal mine land use and land restoration use into the model to explore the relationship between the two under climate change. The research results are as follows. (1) If the external climate factors are not considered, then the phenomenon of overestimation or underestimation of the technology gap arises. (2) The efficiency value of the coal mining stage in most provinces is generally higher than the land restoration efficiency value.     

四川省出川断面主要污染物通量及来源研究

以2001～2007年实测水文、水质数据为基础,计算了四川省主要出川断面高锰酸盐指数(CODMn)和氨氮(NH3-N)污染负荷通量;利用断面水质目标约束,通过污染负荷历时曲线,分析了区域水环境承载力;在基流分割的基础上,利用水文分割法,识别了区域污染物的主要来源,为从源头上开展三峡水库水环境保护提供数据支撑。分析结果表明,各出川断面干流主要污染物(CODMn、NH3-N)大致在可接受的范围内,2001年以来,出川断面CODMn通量呈降低的趋势,有效的减缓了输入三峡库区的污染物总量,氨氮通量整体稳定。嘉陵江、涪江、渠江流域污染物来源主要为非点源,应重点加强面源的污染防控;长江干流为点面源混合型,简单的削减点源已不能保证高功能水体要求,应加强点源和面源污染的综合防控。     

Community Perception of Water Quality in a Mining-Affected Area: A Case Study for the Certej Catchment in the Apuseni Mountains in Romania

Mining-contaminated sites and the affected communities at risk are important issues on the agenda of both researchers and policy makers, particularly in the former communist block countries in Eastern Europe. Integrated analyses and expert based assessments concerning mining affected areas are important in providing solid policy guidelines for environmental and social risk management and mitigation. Based on a survey for 103 households conducted in a former mining site in the Certej Catchment of the Apuseni Mountains, western Romania, this study assesses local communities’ perceptions on the quality of water in their living area. Logistic regression was used to examine peoples’ perception on the quality of the main river water and of the drinking water based on several predictors relating to social and economic conditions. The results from the perception analysis were then compared with the measurements of heavy metal contamination of the main river and drinking water undertaken in the same study area. The findings indicate that perception and measurement results for the water quality in the Certej Catchment are convergent, suggesting an obvious risk that mining activities pose on the surface water. However, the perception on drinking water quality was little predicted by the regression model and does not seem to be so much related to mining as to other explanatory factors, such as special mineralogy of rock and soils or improper water treatment infrastructure, facts suggested by the measurements of the contaminants. Discussion about the implications of these joint findings for risk mitigation policies completes this article.     

硫磺沟煤矿3#井矿井水处理措施分析

硫磺沟煤矿紧邻头屯河，多年以来煤矿矿井水未做任何处理直接排入头屯河，已经对头屯河造成了污染。本文根据硫磺沟煤矿3^#井矿井水涌水量、水质情况及处理后所排入水体的标准要求，确定矿井水处理工艺、主要处理构筑物及技术参数，以使矿井水达标排放，减轻对头屯河水的污染。     

我国环保产业“十二五”技术发展重点领域

基于我国环保产业的发展现状及政策背景,介绍了"十二五"我国环保产业发展重点技术领域及发展方向,包括水污染控制、大气污染控制、固体废弃物处理处置、噪声污染控制、土壤污染控制、重金属污染控制、农村面源污染控制等领域。     

油田区域交通噪声污染现状分析

通过对油田中心区域主要交通干线昼间交通噪声及环境噪声的监测分析,找出噪声的污染现状,及对人们生活、学习产生的影响,为改善中心区域的交通噪声污染,提高人们的生活质量提供了监测依据。     

Introduction of Participatory Conservation in Croatia, Residents’ Perceptions: A Case Study from the Istrian Peninsula

Croatia, like many other transition countries has undergone radical changes in its nature protection models. This paper discusses a historical overview, present situation and future possibilities for nature conservation in Croatia. A conservative top-down approach to nature protection was applied in the past in Croatia and is now being replaced by a prevalent bottom-up approach. Social context is crucial to introducing participatory conservation, therefore special concern is given to the perception of the local population towards protected area management in Istria as a case study in Croatia. Survey data were used to assess the conservation knowledge of local populations and their perception towards Protected Areas (PAs), leadership activities and management authorities in Istria County. This paper examines the perceptions of 313 residents living in and around six natural PAs located in Istria. The results revealed a moderate general knowledge about PAs in Istria and environmental issues, and a low awareness of institutions managing PAs, eagerness to participate in the activities of PAs and general support for the conservation cause. Understanding the perception of local residents enables the creation of feasible, long-term strategies for the implementation of participatory conservation. The research identifies the need for greater human, technical and financial efforts to strengthen the management capabilities of local agencies responsible for PAs. The process of participatory conservation optimization in Croatia is underway and world experiences must be observed in order to create a congruent, site-specific model with the best possible results.     

川北高台原区废弃煤矿枯水期矿井涌水水化学特征及成因分析

对废弃煤矿矿井涌水的水化学特征及成因进行分析,可为保护矿区地下水环境提供理论支撑.基于地质背景,通过对比枯水季节川北高台原区废弃煤矿矿井涌水与背景泉点水化学指标,并采用聚类分析方法对矿井涌水中离子指标进行统计,进而对其特征及成因进行了研究.结果表明:地层中黄铁矿中硫元素氧化是矿井涌水水化学特征变化的开端,受研究区矿井涌...     

日照市畜牧业生产对环境的污染及其防治措施研究

畜禽粪便中大量有机污染物污染着人们赖以生存的土壤和水体,粪尿分解产生的大量有害气体污染了大气。本文结合日照市畜牧业生产的实际,对日照市畜牧业生产对环境的污染现状进行了分析,找出了日照市畜牧业生产对环境污染产生的主要原因和存在问题,提出畜牧业生产对环境污染的防治对策。     

当前水环境污染新闻报道的潜在问题及对策研究——基于“长江水污染”议题的新闻数据分析

现今,我国水环境整体情况仍不容乐观,相较于大气污染而言,水污染形势也更为严峻紧迫。水环境关乎着人们的切身利益,与居民的健康和社会稳定紧密勾连,相关的新闻也深刻地反映着社会大众关注的焦点与痛点。拟从获取的数据入手,对以“长江水污染”为议题的新闻报道进行系统地研究分析,从而探讨当前水环境污染新闻报道的潜在问题,并对此提出一些对策与建议。厘清水环境污染新闻报道的现状,把握水环境污染报道存在的问题,对于新闻报道发挥影响力和推动水污染问题的解决具有重要意义。     

A study on evaluation of probable sources of heavy metal pollution in groundwater of Kalpakkam region, South India

This study investigates the heavy metal pollution vulnerability of the groundwater in the coastal aquifers of Kalpakkam region in the state of Tamilnadu, India. Integrated-approach includes pollution evaluation indices, principal component analysis (PCA), and correlation matrix (CM) to evaluate the intensity and source of pollution in groundwater. The data have been used for the calculation of heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and degree of contamination (C _d). The mean metal levels in groundwater followed a descending order as: Zn?>?Ba?>?Fe?>?Al?>?Se?>?Mn?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?Pb?>?Cr?>?Mo?>?As?>?Cd?>?Sb?>?Be. The concentrations of Fe, Cd, Zn, Se, Ba, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Al in some of the groundwater samples exceed the maximum admissible concentration (MAC). The HPI and C _d yield different results despite significant correlations between them. The following elemental associations were obtained from PCA and CM: Fe?CMn?CNi?CCr?CPb?CCd?CZn?CBe?CAl, Cu?CAs, Sb?CAs, Al?CBa and Se?CMo, which could be linked to anthropogenic sources (i.e., processes of tannery and dying industries with some contribution from the landfill leachate and municipal sewage). GIS-based factor score maps suggest that the activities of tannery industries and landfill leachate are pervasive processes in the area. This study has provided the evidence that effluents discharged from the tannery and auxiliary industries and landfill leachate are the main sources of heavy metal pollution in the groundwater. The high metal concentrations observed in the groundwater may have serious public health and potential environmental hazard implications.     

The influence of crime prevention through environmental design on victimisation and fear of crime

People's perception of crime and incivilities vary considerably depending on their attitudes towards environmental conditions. This paper investigated the hypothesised relationships between Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), victimisation and fear of crime. The checklist was administered by using on-site observation to measure the CPTED construct followed by a self-administered questionnaire to explore the residents' perceptions of victimisation and fear of crime in their area of residency. In all, 164 respondents from a selected group of residents were involved in this study. The structural equation modelling technique was employed and the results indicate that CPTED is negatively related to victimisation. The model also shows that there is a significant positive direct influence of victimisation on fear of crime. However, no direct significant relationship was found between CPTED and fear of crime, but a negative indirect relationship between CPTED and fear of crime was observed through victimisation.