A framework designation for the assessment of urban ecological risks

Urban ecological risks stemming from urbanization are increasing and limiting the capability of China to effectuate sustainable urban development. Therefore, addressing urban ecological risks is an urgent need. Numerous factors are involved in urban ecological risks, including air, water, and soil. Additionally, risk sources and risk receptors are complex and diverse. In this study, urban ecological risks are defined as adverse effects and possibility of impacts on urban ecosystem services resulting from urbanization. Urbanization is recognized as the risk source, and the urban ecosystem is considered the risk receptor. Based on this understanding, the components of urban ecological risks are defined, and the relationships between the components of urban ecological risks are illuminated by establishing an indicator system. Based on previous studies on urban ecological risks, an explicit framework for identification, assessment, and management of urban ecological risks is proposed. For purposes of identification, there are three types of risk sources: population growth, industrial development, and the expansion of built land. Stressors include the accumulation of contaminants, consumption of resources, and occupation of space. Assessment endpoints are divided into provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. In response to urban ecological risks having multiple stressors and multiple assessment endpoints, we assessed risks both with a single stressor/single endpoint and comprehensive ecological risks. In our framework, the physical or material assessment of ecosystem services is adopted as the core method for the analysis of urban ecological risk, because it is believed that the analysis of urban ecological risk should be based on the physical or material assessment of ecosystem services instead of the value assessment of ecosystem services. The results of the single value assessment of urban ecosystem services will cause the deviation from the purpose of urban ecosystem services assessment. The purpose of urban ecosystem services assessment is to maintain and/or improve the capability of urban ecosystems of providing physical or material services, and further to reduce or avoid the occurrence risks of unsustainable cities. Additionally, a multi-level characterization method was adopted for the results of urban ecological risk assessment. In this study, we established a platform to manage urban ecological risks based on landscape ecology and environmental internet of things technologies, and to effectuate online urban ecological risk identification, assessment, and management via this platform.     

Assessment and management of urbanization-induced ecological risks

The urban ecological risk incurred during the processes of urbanization has been constantly accumulating, creating a severe challenge for China to achieve sustainable urban development. At present, research on systematic evaluation of urban ecological risks is still inadequate, especially at an urban ecosystem level. In this special issue, we use Xiamen City as an example to identify the sources and receptors of urban ecological risks, to develop a methodology system of urban ecological risk assessment, and to propose a method for the management of urban ecological risks. This special issue contains 11 research articles resulting from a comprehensive research project funded by China’s National Natural Science Foundation. The innovations reported in this special issue include a framework of urban ecological risk assessment and a standardized procedure for carrying out urban ecological risk assessment using multiple stressors and endpoints.     

Air pollution-oriented ecological risk assessment in Xiamen city,China

Urban energy consumption is one of the most important causes of air pollution. Air pollution-oriented ecological risk assessment is of great significance to the promotion of urban environmental protection. This paper focuses on ecological risk in Xiamen city caused by air pollutant discharge from urban energy consumption. The Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning model was used to establish two scenarios of energy consumption in Xiamen city, and based on different scenarios, we estimated urban energy consumption and discharge quantity of air pollutant (DQAP). A box model and an expert scoring method were used to calculate the air pollution burden (APB) of SO₂, NO₂, CO, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 and to obtain the probabilities of different air pollution loads. An ecological risk assessment model was developed and utilized to predict Xiamen city’s ecological risks in 2020. The results showed that under an energy-saving scenario, the ecological risks for PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂ are high, whereas the ecological risks for CO and PM₁₀ are low. Under a baseline scenario, the ecological risks for PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂ are moderate, whereas the ecological risks for CO and PM₁₀ are low. In addition, the APB of SO₂, NO₂, CO, and PM_2.5, but not of PM₁₀, is predicted to rise. In the simulation, energy generation from coal is the main source of air pollution. Although the DQAP from automobiles is not high, it is predicted to rise year-on-year. In summary, the ecological risk due to pollution in Xiamen city is high, and the main pollutants are SO₂, NO₂ and PM_2.5.     

Ecological risk assessment from the perspective of soil heavy metal accumulations in Xiamen city,China

Contamination of soils by heavy metals is of rising concern in many cities in China undergoing rapid urbanization. Here, we evaluate the severity of soil contamination by four heavy metals (arsenic, chromium, copper, and lead) at 146 urban and suburban sites within the city of Xiamen, Fujian, China. A multivariate regression model was proposed and developed to simulate heavy metals accumulation in urban and suburban soils, to identify the concentration and spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils, and to assess ecological risks by 2020. Results showed that, overall, Xiamen soils should be subject to low ecological risks due to heavy metals contamination by 2020, the ecological risks for urban soils were greater than suburban soils, nearly half of Xiamen soils are at moderate ecological risks, and many suburban soils experience low ecological risks. The methods demonstrate the potential to predict future ecological risks from heavy metals contamination which could inform pollution prevention and control measures.     

Ecological risk assessment of pesticide residues in Taihu Lake wetland, China

As a major ecosystem type, wetland provides invaluable ecological services. Environmental pollution, especially pesticides pollution should be paid more attention to keep wetlands healthy. Based on the risk quotient method, coupled with a probabilistic risk assessment model, this paper proposed a methodology suitable for ecological risk assessment of pesticide residues for wetland ecosystems. As an important industrializing and ecologically vulnerable area in China, the Taihu Lake wetland was chosen for the case study. The risks of eight pesticides in Taihu Lake wetland were assessed, as single substances and in mixtures. The assessment indicates that risks of the representative species are not significant. In general, the herbicide is found to be more toxic for algae, whereas insecticides pose more risks to zooplankton, insect and fish. For each pesticide in the wetland, the ecological risk it poses is acceptable. But the combined ecological risk posed by mixture can harm more than 10% of species of the wetland ecosystem, mainly dominated by dichlorvos, dimethoate and malathion contributions. These results imply that pesticide residues have been posing pressures on the ecosystem of the Taihu Lake wetland. It is recommended that proper countermeasures should be implemented to reduce the risks.     

Ecological risk assessment from the viewpoint of surface water pollution in Xiamen City,China

The ecological security of urban surface water is subject to significant risk due to rapid urbanization. Pollutant discharge and accumulation are among the most critical stressors endangering urban surface water and affecting the normal operation of urban aquatic ecosystem services. In this study, we assessed how pollutant accumulation stresses water purification systems, which perform important urban ecosystem services. First, we applied a water environmental capacity model to calculate thresholds of urban surface water environmental capacity under a given water quality target. Second, based on a stepwise regression method, an equation was used to describe the relationship between stressor factors (pollutant accumulation) and measurable socioeconomic indicators. Third, an ecological risk index was used as an assessment endpoint indicator to assess the negative ecological effect of pollutant accumulation. Finally, risk level was classified according to the risk quotient method. Taking Xiamen City as an example, we analyzed the contribution of different sources of pollutants and evaluated the urban ecological risk posed by two major contaminants present in the environment by measuring chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N). The results show that the ecological risk indexes of both COD and NH₄⁺-N are expected to decrease from 2020 to 2030; that of COD is expected to fall from medium to low, whereas that of NH₄⁺-N is expected to fall from high to medium. These findings demonstrate that the ecological risk posed to the surface water in Xiamen City can be reduced by controlling population growth, optimizing industrial structure, and promoting economic development.     

Ecological risk assessment based on freshwater consumption dynamic analysis of Xiamen City,China

Freshwater is the lifeline of a city. Shortages in urban water supply and ecological losses occur when freshwater supply capacity and demand are imbalanced. Therefore, systematic research on the risk of freshwater consumption in urban areas is urgently demanded. A scientific understanding of the risk of urban water consumption will contribute to the efficient use of freshwater resources and ensure the stability and sustainable development of cities. Taking Xiamen City as the study area, we evaluated the ecological risk of freshwater consumption scenarios in the years 2020 and 2030 using a multilevel characterization method for urban ecological risk, stepwise regression analysis, and a gray prediction model. The results of our evaluation show that freshwater consumption in Xiamen is highly correlated with the total population, the crop acreage, the proportion of secondary industry, and the treatment rate of domestic sewage. In the 2020 and 2030 scenarios, freshwater consumption in Xiamen City is predicted to increase. Meanwhile, with the construction of water conservancy facilities, the supply capacity of freshwater in Xiamen City will be greatly improved. Therefore, the ecological impacts of freshwater consumption in the 2020 and 2030 scenarios were at the middle and low levels. In this study, the validity of the multilevel characterization method described herein for urban ecological risk has been confirmed. However, calculation of scenario probability is a difficult problem in the framework of this method, and future research should address this issue.     

A concise review of ecological risk assessment for urban ecosystem application associated with rapid urbanization processes

ABSTRACT

Urban ecological risk (UER) caused by rapid urbanization means potential threat to urban ecosystem structure, pattern and services. The scales of ecological risk assessment (ERA) have been expanded from individual organisms to watersheds and regions. The types of stressor range from chemical to physical, biological and natural events. However, the application of ERA in urban ecosystems is relatively new. Here, we summarize the progress of urban ERA and propose an explicit framework to illumine future ERA based on UER identification, analysis, characterization, modeling, projection and early warning and management. The summary includes six urban ERA-relevant methods: weight-of-evidence (WoE), procedure for ecological tiered assessment of risks (PETAR), relative risk model (RRM), multimedia, multi-pathway, multi-receptor risk assessment (3MRA), landscape analysis and ecological models. Furthermore, we review critical cases of urban ERA in landscape ecology, soil, air, water and solid waste. Based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing, an urban ERA management platform integrates various urban ERA methodologies that can be developed to provide better implementation strategies of UER for urban ecosystem managers and stakeholders. We develop a conceptual model of urban ERA based on the urban characteristics in China. The future applications of urban ERA include uncertainty analysis using Monte Carlo techniques on the basis of geospatial techniques and comprehensive urban ERA using nonlinear models or process models.     

湿地生态风险评价中生物完整性指数研究进展

湿地是陆地与水域之间的过渡地带,是地球上生产力最高的生态系统。湿地生态风险评价的实际应用将使人们更好地理解物理、化学和生物风险源如何影响湿地,并为湿地管理提供科学支撑,这就要求确定湿地生态健康评价指标的完整性。生物完整性指数以环境生态毒理学数据为依据,是进行生态系统健康风险评价的最有力工具。大中型无脊椎动物作为易选择的分类群,可用于湿地评估的生物完整性指数的建立,土壤动物特别是线虫类群作为湿地土壤和水环境健康评价的指示生物具有广阔前景。通过线虫分子毒理学等研究方法,可优化出生物完整性指数体系,建立扰动背景下的湿地生态风险评价模型,为湿地污染的监测、防控和修复,提供理论依据和实践方法。     

再生水回灌地下水环境安全风险评价技术方法研究

再生水回灌是水资源管理的一条有效途径,也是污水再生利用的重要发展方向。然而,当再生水以农灌、土壤含水层处理（SAT）、河湖入渗和井灌等方式进行地下水回灌时,不可避免的会在回补地下水的过程中造成对地下水环境的污染风险。针对不同回灌方式建立适用于我国的再生水回灌地下水环境安全风险评价技术体系至关重要。借鉴国内外地下水污染风险评价方法,综合分析再生水回灌对地下水产生风险的关键环节,采用层析分析法,从回灌水特征污染物特性、回灌区地下水固有脆弱性以及回灌工程布设方式3个方面,针对地表灌溉、河湖入渗和井灌3种回灌方式,建立了包含污染物浓度水平、分配系数、溶解度、半衰期、半致死剂量、地下水埋深、降雨入渗补给量、地形坡度、土壤介质、包气带介质、含水层介质、含水层厚度、回灌强度、回灌周期、回灌水停留时间以及取水点与回灌点水平距离16个指标在内的风险评价指标体系。在此基础上,结合地下水使用功能,以20个典型再生水回灌场地调研结果和160种再生水回灌地下水污染风险因子物化特性为数据基础,对各指标进行了风险水平的划分,基于聚类分析法,采用各指标风险指数相乘的风险表征方法计算总风险指数,构建了再生水回灌地下水环境安全风险评价技术方法。该方法有效的避免了指标权重计算的主观性,并且能够直观的找出导致风险的主要因素。结果表明：利用建立的风险评价技术方法可将我国再生水回灌地下水环境安全风险划分为3级,风险值〈5为一级,风险值在5-15之间为二级,风险值〉15为三级。在某再生水回灌场地的应用表明,该回灌区地下水环境安全风险为二级,同时得出回灌水特征污染物特性指标是造成该回灌区地下水环境风险的主要因素。     

跳虫在土壤污染生态风险评价中的应用

随着土壤污染生态风险评价研究的逐步深入,选择适宜的生物作为风险评价的指示物成为研究热点.跳虫是一种分布极为广泛的土壤无脊椎动物,对土壤污染十分敏感,具有成为土壤环境质量指示生物的良好潜力.目前跳虫在土壤生态风险评价中的应用研究尚处于起步阶段.论文综述了跳虫在土壤生态系统中的作用,通过对当前跳虫生态毒性测试技术及其影响因素的综合分析,结合跳虫的分子生态效应的研究进展,详细阐述了跳虫在土壤生态风险评价中的应用.论文最后提出了跳虫应用于土壤污染生态风险评价所面临的技术障碍以及亟待解决的问题,并对该领域的前景进行了展望。     

应用底栖动物为指示生物的松花江干流水生态预警研究

指示生物监测及水生态预警是利用水环境中指示物种的数量、群落结构指标和个体生理指标等描述水生态系统的健康状态,其相比于常规理化监测和预警更直接地反映水体的生态质量。本研究在松花江干流2012—2015年大型底栖无脊椎动物监测结果的基础上,结合各监测点生态质量管理目标,通过分析物种的种类、出现的频次、物种污染敏感性(耐污值),尝试提出了松花江干流监控断面以底栖动物为指示生物的水生态预警模式,研究思路和结果对流域水环境风险管理指标的拓展有积极作用。     

厦门市水体表层沉积物重金属污染生态风险分析

沉积物是水环境的基本组成部分,其重金属含量常被作为水环境质量的重要指标之一。以厦门市为例探讨了不同城市化区域水体表层沉积物中重金属的分布特征,并采用沉积物地累积指数、Hakanson潜在生态风险指数等方法对重金属Zn、Pb、Cu、Cd、Cr、As、Hg进行环境风险评估。研究结果表明,厦门水体表层沉积物中Zn、Pb、Cu、Cd、Cr、As、Hg的含量分别为182.2、63.7、31.3、0.19、67.9、10.4、0.11 mg/kg,空间分布呈现出从城市远郊区到中心城区显著增加的趋势;依照地累积指数评价结果显示：7种重金属的污染程度顺序依次为：Hg（Pb（Zn（Cu（Cd（As（Cr;采用Hakanson提出的潜在生态危害指数法,获得厦门市主要水库重金属生态风险构成危害的顺序：Hg（Cd（Pb（As（Cu（Zn（Cr;水体表层沉积物中重金属污染水平与区域城市化水平在一定时期内呈正相关关系,这为我国快速城市化发展过程中水环境恶化问题的改善提出了警示。     

最大累积率识别中国地表水中邻苯二甲酸酯类关键污染物和复合污染生态风险

邻苯二甲酸酯类物质(phthalic acid esters,PAEs)环境存在量大,研究表明其能对水生生物造成寿命减少、发育不良、细胞受损等负效应.因此,为保护水生生物,我国地表水中PAEs的生态风险需要科学评估.本文利用了风险商法(risk quotient,RQ)、最大累积率法(maximum cumulativ...     

A multi-level characterization method for the assessment of urban ecological risks

Urban ecological risk characterization is the final step in risk assessment and an important foundation upon which risk managers build risk aversion, risk control, and emergency handling strategies. In this study, we reviewed present risk characterization methods and proposed a multi-level characterization method for the assessment of urban ecological risks. The new characterization method consists of four elements: urban ecological risk sources, risk source probabilities, assessment endpoint indicators, and assessment endpoint indicator probabilities. Using this method, results of risk assessments can be organized into different levels of detail to meet different risk management goals.     

吸附法处理含砷废水的研究进展

水体砷污染严重威胁着人类健康和生态系统,砷污染防治成为全球性环境问题,含砷水处理受到人们的普遍关注.与其它除砷方法相比较,吸附法具有去除效率高,稳定性好,不产生或很少产生二次污染,吸附剂可重复使用等优点,因而备受青睐.本文简要介绍了吸附法除砷的原理与特点,重点综述了矿物质、活性炭、金属(氢)氧化物、生物吸附剂、离子交换...     

重要生态功能区典型生态服务及其评估指标体系的构建

科学评估重要生态功能区的生态服务是管理者制定相关政策的基础,对促进重要生态功能区维护区域生态安全、支撑经济社会可持续发展具有重要意义。依据生态服务的空间转移特性,探索提出了重要生态功能区典型生态服务的概念与内涵,并在此基础上综合运用频度分析法、专家咨询法和层次分析法,构建了重要生态功能区水源涵养、土壤保持、防风固沙、生物多样性保护和洪水调蓄等典型生态服务的评估指标体系。结果表明：在指标体系中,影响水源涵养服务的主要是土壤质地和降水量;影响土壤保持服务的主要是植被覆盖度和丰富度指数;影响防风固沙服务的主要是植被覆盖度和大风时速;影响生物多样性服务的主要是植被景观多样性指数;影响洪水调蓄服务的主要是湿地容积和降水量。土壤、植被、地形和气候等生态因子是重要生态功能区典型生态服务产生与发挥的重要基础。     

石油污染对土壤-植物系统的生态效应

伴随着石油的工业化生产和利用,石油污染已经成为一个严重的环境问题.本文从土壤、植物个体、植物群落与生态系统等层次对石油污染的生态效应进行了系统总结.含有多环芳烃(Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs)、苯系物(Benzene、toluene、ethylbenzene和xylene,BTEX)等多种有毒物质的石油及其化工产品进入土壤-植物系统后会发生迁移.这不仅对土壤-植物系统的组成、结构、功能和服务产生影响,也会通过食物链危害人类健康.石油污染影响土壤水分状况、孔隙度等物理性质,土壤碳含量、养分含量等化学性质,以及土壤微生物群落组成和多样性、土壤酶活性等生物学性质.通常,石油污染会对大多数植物形成氧化胁迫,影响细胞膜透性,影响光合作用等生理活动,抑制植物生长,影响植物萌发、开花和结实.由于石油污染对植物个体的不同效应以及植物个体对石油污染的不同响应,石油污染对植物群落的影响存在3种基本模式,并最终导致植物群落生物量下降,物种多样性降低,植被盖度降低.进一步影响生态系统的生产力、稳定性和健康,最终危及生态系统的功能和服务.利用微生物、植物及其联合体菌根可以对石油污染物进行生物修复和降解,添加外源营养物质和通气等措施可以强化生物修复过程.应用植被指数和红边效应等遥感方法进行石油污染的生态效应监测具有较大的潜力.总之,如何把土壤-植物系统各水平上不同指标对石油污染物的响应与石油污染的生态效应联系起来,是目前石油污染生态效应研究的重点和难点之一.因此,亟需开展多尺度的系统研究,把室内控制实验、野外控制实验和野外调查有机地结合起来,构建多层次的石油污染标志物体系,全面认识石油污染对土壤-植物系统的生态效应,为石油污染的生态风险评价、治理和控制提供理论基础和实践指导.     

放射性核素水环境质量标准研究进展

地球环境中广泛存在的放射性核素对人类和其他物种产生辐射安全风险,成为水环境质量的重要指标之一。随着人类生活水平和环境保护意识的提升,以及核与辐射安全复杂的国际形势,放射性核素水环境质量标准的关注度越来越高。饮用水水质标准中的放射性核素限值基于个人辐射剂量标准,评估方法已经建立,并在世界卫生组织、美国、加拿大和日本等国际组织和国家的饮用水水质标准中得到广泛应用。水环境质量标准中的放射性核素限值基于辐射环境、参考生物、个体单位时间内的辐射剂量限值,对此各国际组织和国家相继开展了放射性核素的生态风险评价研究,并逐步制定相关标准。与国际水平相比,我国水环境质量标准存在放射性核素指标数量少、修订频率滞后、科学适用性有待提升等问题。在我国核能发展与生态文明建设的新形势下,加强放射性核素的健康风险和生态风险评价研究,建立健全水环境质量标准中放射性核素指标体系成为我国水环境研究的紧迫任务。