Educational attainment and environmental Kuznets curve in China: an aggregate and disaggregate analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The primary focus of this study is to evaluate the impact of various levels of education on CO2 emissions in China. Moreover, the study also tested...     

日本二噁英减排控制的历程、经验与启示

二噁英减排控制是《关于持久性有机污染物的斯德哥尔摩公约》的重要任务,是履行公约义务的难点.对日本二噁英减排控制20年来的实践历程进行了回顾和分析,总结出了其协调管理机制设立、法律法规标准建立、监测能力建设以及宣传教育等八个方面的成功经验,对中国二噁英减排控制工作有重要的借鉴意义.     

Assessment of vehicular pollution in China

As the motor vehicle population in China continues to increase at an annual rate of approximately 15%, air pollution related to vehicular emissions has become the focus of attention, especially in large cities. There is an urgent need to identify the severity of this pollution in China. Based on an investigation into vehicle service characteristics, this study used a series of driving cycle tests of in-use Chinese motor vehicles for their emission factors in laboratories, which indicated that CO and HC emission factors are 5-10 times higher, and NOx 2-5 times higher, than levels in developed countries. The MOBILE5 model was adapted to the Chinese situation and used to calculate the emission of pollutants from motor vehicles. Results show that vehicle emission is concentrated in major cities, such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Tianjin. Motor vehicle emissions contribute a significant proportion of pollutants in those cities, with contribution rates of CO and NOx greater than 80% and 40%, respectively, in Beijing and Guangzhou. Urban air quality is far worse than the national ambient air quality standard. In conclusion, although China has a relatively small number of motor vehicles, most of them are concentrated within metropolitan areas, and their emissions are closely related to urban air pollution problems in large cities.     

Acute effects of particulate matter with different sizes on respiratory mortality in Shenzhen,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - There are relatively few studies that focus on the health effects of exposure to size-specific particles on respiratory mortality in China. We aimed...     

Chapter three: methodology of exposure modeling

In this chapter, the concept of exposure assessment and its evolution is introduced, and evaluated by critically appraising the pertinent literature as it applies to exposures to Particulate Matter (PM). Exposure measurement or estimation methodologies and models are reviewed. Three exposure/measurement methodologies are assessed. Estimation methods focus on source evaluation and attribution, sources include those outdoors and indoors as well as in occupational and in-transit environments. Fate and transport models and their inputs are addressed to estimate concentrations outdoors and indoors; source attribution techniques help focus on the contributing sources. Activity pattern techniques are also reviewed and their use in exposure models to estimate inhalation exposure to PM is presented. Deterministic, regression and other stochastic models of exposure to PM are reviewed and evaluated. Strengths, limitations, assumptions and affirmations of the use of exposure assessment as an integral component of risk assessment and risk management are discussed in the conclusions and discussions section of this work.     

我国大气污染化学研究进展

本文综述了我国大气污染化学研究的概况。阐明了大气颗粒物（气溶胶）的表征研究，包括颗粒物的物理化学特性和环境化学行为；大气污染物的迁移、转化和归宿的规律，包括化学过程和大气化学模式的研究等。介绍了某些大气污染物的特殊分析测试方法和采样技术，对今后发展大气化学的展望和战略作了讨论。     

Analysis of China’s carbon emission driving factors based on the perspective of eight major economic regions

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Low-carbon transition has gradually become the focus of research on environmental issues. This paper takes China’s eight major economic regions...     

Identification of priority pharmaceuticals in the water environment of China

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the trace-level contamination of pharmaceuticals in the water environment all over the world. Considering a large number of pharmaceuticals used, it is crucial to establish a priority list of pharmaceuticals that should be monitored and/or treated first. In the present study, we developed a ranking system based on the pharmaceutical consumption, removal performance in the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and potential ecological effects, and applied to the situation of China. 39 pharmaceuticals, which had available consumption data and also been reported previously in the WWTPs of China, were selected as candidate pharmaceuticals. Among them, seventeen pharmaceuticals were considered as priority pharmaceuticals, out of which, erythromycin, diclofenac acid and ibuprofen, had the high priority. Compared with other literatures, we found that some pharmaceuticals given concerns to globally should also be included in the priority list in China; while some pharmaceuticals, not mentioned in other literatures, such as cefalexin, ketoconazole, should be also given prior consideration in China. Among all the therapeutic classes, antibiotics, which were grossly abused in China, contributed the most to the priority pharmaceuticals. However, priority antibiotics accounted for only 32% of candidate antibiotics, while 71% and 100% of the candidate anti-inflammatory and antilipidemic respectively were identified as the priority pharmaceuticals, indicating that antibiotics might be overanxiously considered in the previous studies on their behaviors in the WWTPs of China.     

Review of light-duty diesel and heavy-duty diesel gasoline inspection programs

Emissions from diesel vehicles and gas-powered heavy-duty vehicles are becoming a new focus of many inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs. Diesel particulate matter (PM) is increasingly becoming more recognized as an important health concern, while at the same time, the public awareness of diesel PM emissions because of their visibility have combined to increase the focus on diesel emissions in the United States. This has resulted in an increased interest by some states in including heavy-duty vehicle testing in their I/M program. This paper provides an overview of existing I/M programs focused on testing light-duty diesel vehicles, heavy-duty diesel vehicles, and heavy-duty gasoline vehicles (HDGVs). Information on 39 I/M programs in 27 different states in the United States plus 9 international inspection programs is included. Information on the status of diesel emissions technology and current test procedures is also presented. The goal is to provide useful information for air quality managers as they work to decide whether such I/M programs would be worth pursuing in their respective areas and in evaluating the emissions measurement technology to be used in the program. Testing of HDGVs is generally limited to idle testing, because dynamometer testing of these vehicles is not practical, and most were not certified on a chassis basis. Testing of diesel vehicles has mostly been limited to SAE J1667 "snap-idle" opacity testing. Cost-effective technology for measuring diesel emissions currently does not exist, and, therefore, opacity-type measurements, although not effective at reducing the pollutants of most significant health concern, will continue to be used.     

Influence of FDI characteristics on high-quality development of China’s economy

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) stated: “We should focus on the construction of One Belt and one...     

铁、锰氧化细菌在环境污染治理中的应用

对各种铁、锰氧化细菌的生理生化特性进行了讨论 ,介绍了铁锰氧化细菌在环境污染治理方面的应用 ,并提出了今后研究工作的重点及亟待解决的问题     

National Park Development in China: Conservation or Commercialization?

The rapid development of parks and ecotourism in China has attracted worldwide attention, not only for the beauty of the landscape that the parks are protecting but also for their abundant and often unique biodiversity. However, in some areas, the development of ecotourism has actually led to the degradation of local ecological, economic, and social systems. Using National Forest Parks for demonstration, this article analyzes the current political, institutional, legal, environmental, and economic issues concerning National Parks in China, and examines their potential future development. Although the intention of National Park systems in China is to raise environmental quality, and to protect biodiversity and social livelihoods, their success has varied. Future success will be measured by their capacity to reduce poverty, to promote long-term rehabilitation of wildlife habitats, and to simultaneously protect Chinese culture and biodiversity.     

Review of Light-Duty Diesel and Heavy-Duty Diesel Gasoline Inspection Programs

Abstract

Emissions from diesel vehicles and gas-powered heavyduty vehicles are becoming a new focus of many inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs. Diesel particulate matter (PM) is increasingly becoming more recognized as an important health concern, while at the same time, the public awareness of diesel PM emissions because of their visibility have combined to increase the focus on diesel emissions in the United States. This has resulted in an increased interest by some states in including heavy-duty vehicle testing in their I/M program.

This paper provides an overview of existing I/M programs focused on testing light-duty diesel vehicles, heavyduty diesel vehicles, and heavy-duty gasoline vehicles (HDGVs). Information on 39 I/M programs in 27 different states in the United States plus 9 international inspection programs is included. Information on the status of diesel emissions technology and current test procedures is also presented. The goal is to provide useful information for air quality managers as they work to decide whether such I/M programs would be worth pursuing in their respective areas and in evaluating the emissions measurement technology to be used in the program. Testing of HDGVs is generally limited to idle testing, because dynamometer testing of these vehicles is not practical, and most were not certified on a chassis basis.

Testing of diesel vehicles has mostly been limited to SAE J1667 “snap-idle” opacity testing. Cost-effective technology for measuring diesel emissions currently does not exist, and, therefore, opacity-type measurements, although not effective at reducing the pollutants of most significant health concern, will continue to be used.     

Eutrophication in a Chinese Context: Understanding Various Physical and Socio-Economic Aspects

Eutrophication is now a ubiquitous water quality impairment in China. The first step toward restoration of eutrophicated water bodies is a marked reduction of nutrient loadings in their drainage basins. However, the combination of a number of physical and socio-economic factors is now producing compounded increases in nutrient loads while the nutrient assimilation capacities of natural systems are decreasing. Meanwhile, most of the lakes in densely populated part of China are shallow and very susceptible to anthropogenic alteration. Therefore, in spite of ascending efforts in eutrophication control upward trends of algal blooms in both fresh and coastal waters have been observed for the past two decades. Huge knowledge gap exists in our understanding of the sources and pathways of nutrient losses to aquatic ecosystems. Successful water quality restoration of China's eutrophic waters relies not only on more resource input but also more emphasis on basic, integrated, and management-oriented research.     

Paradigm changes in freshwater aquaculture practices in China: Moving towards achieving environmental integrity and sustainability

Contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to global food security is linked to increased fish consumption. Projections indicate that an additional 30–40 million tonnes of fish will be required by 2030. China leads global aquaculture production accounting for 60% in volume and 45% in value. Many changes in the Chinese aquaculture sector are occurring to strive towards attaining environmental integrity and prudent use of resources. We focus on changes introduced in freshwater aquaculture developments in China, the main source of food fish supplies. We bring forth evidence in support of the contention that Chinese freshwater aquaculture sector has introduced major paradigm changes such as prohibition of fertilisation in large water bodies, introduction of stringent standards on nutrients in effluent and encouragement of practices that strip nutrients among others, which will facilitate long-term sustainability of the sector.     

Assessing the perceived impact of exploration and production of hydrocarbons on households perspective of environmental regulation in Ghana

This paper seeks to critically study the perceived impacts of the exploration of hydrocarbons in selected coastal communities in the Western region, the oil and gas industry benefits to local communities, and to determine whether hydrocarbon development is a means for sustainable development. The study uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches using a questionnaire survey, key informant interview, and focus group discussion tools to understand the impact of oil and gas exploration and production in selected affected communities along the coast of Ghana. The activities of oil production and exploration impact negatively on communities; it also leads to a sharp increase in food prices thereby increasing their costs of living. The activity has also caused a decline in fish catch levels which happens to be the main economic activity as a result of exclusion zones created by oil companies which limited the extent fishermen can go fishing. In terms of infrastructure, the three communities are lacking, 77% of respondents from Princess Town hold the view that there is no motorable road linking their community in the next town and 60% from Aketakyi also hold the same view. Infrastructure such as roads, schools, water provision, and clinics are woefully provided in these communities.

     

Convergence of energy carbon emission efficiency: evidence from manufacturing sub-sectors in China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - With China’s economy entering the stage of high-quality development, manufacturing energy carbon emission efficiency has become the focus of...     

Evaluation of RAM Model for Cleveland,Ohio, Part II

Coal combustion is the primary contributor to atmospheric pollution in China, especially so In big cities. Particulate matter and sulfur dioxide are the two main pollutants worthy of attention. Concentration of suspended particles is usually higher in northern cities than in southern cities and higher in winter than in summer. In the case of sulfur dioxide, concentrations are high in the heating season (wintertime) in northern cities, but also in some of the cities in the southwest part of China. Rainfall with pH less than 5.6 occurs mostly to the south of the Yangtze River, especially so in the cities of Chongqing and Gueiyang, and their neighboring areas, and also In the southwest part of China. No acid rain, however, has been found in Beijing and Tianjin. Although the formation of acid rain can thus be thought of as dependent on the presence of enough sulfur dioxide, other factors such as airborne particles and ammonia also play an important role. The difference is, therefore, explained and theorem postulated with supporting data. Ways of abating atmospheric pollution are, in essence, related to improved coal burning; some simple methods are suggested for nationwide control options.     

Assessing the effects of changing demographic and consumption patterns on sea tenure regimes in the Roviana Lagoon,Solomon Islands

This paper investigates how sea tenure institutions in the Roviana Lagoon, Solomon Islands, mediate among population, consumption, and the environment. The focus is on explaining how growth in population and consumption alter sea tenure regimes, and the factors that shape either their institutional robustness or vulnerability. The paper also addresses the regional differences among sea tenure institutional arrangements, the processes that are producing them, and the social and environmental outcomes of these institutions as they engage external forces and internal changes. A major question is how existing forms of sea tenure respond comparatively when faced with parallel demographic and economic transformations? Two villages representing different sea tenure arrangements within the Roviana Lagoon are compared. Results show that inhabitants in these villages perceive their systems of sea tenure governance similarly; yet their managerial responses to changes brought about by growth in population and consumption differ, and the responses produce contrasting environmental effects.     

Understanding transitions in farming systems and their effects on livestock rearing and smallholder livelihoods in Telangana,India

Increasing food demands are causing rapid transitions in farming systems, often involving intensified land and resource use. While transitioning has benefits regarding poverty alleviation and food outputs, it also causes environmental and social issues over time. This study aims to understand the transitions in farming systems in a region in Telangana, from 1997 to 2015, and their effect on livestock rearing and smallholder livelihoods. We also examine the impact of the transitions on lower caste groups and women in particular. We collected data using a combination of methods, i.e., a household survey, focus group discussions, and secondary data sources, to build a comprehensive picture of the transitions in the region. We found that subsistence mixed farming systems transitioned to market-orientated specialized systems over a short time span. As the transition process gained momentum, households either intensified their production or got marginalized. Technological interventions, development programs with integrated approaches, and market demand for certain agricultural produce triggered increased regional production but also led to the scarcity of water, land, and labor. The transitions marginalized some of the households, changed the role of livestock in farming, and have been inclusive of both lower caste groups and women in terms of increased ownership of large ruminants and access to technologies. However, for women specifically, further increase in workload in the context of farming is also found.