An implementation assessment of China’s Environmental Information Disclosure Decree

China’s 2007 Open Government Information Regulations is widely considered as a milestone in the country’s information policy history and is praised as a “sunshine program”. The Environmental Information Disclosure Decree was the first to operationalize these general regulations into a sectoral information disclosure system on environment. This study assessed the implementation of the environmental information disclosure system about six months after the Decree took e ect on May 1, 2008. Through reviewing the websites of all 31 provincial Environmental Protection Bureaus and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, conducting an experiment with actual information disclosure request, and through interviews with all provincial Environmental Protection Bureaus, this article concluded that the implementation of the environmental information disclosure system still falls short. Future improvements should focus on further publicity of the regulations and decree to enhance public participation, the establishment of an independent evaluation and supervision system for information disclosure, the exchange of experiences and best practices among provincial Environmental Protection Bureaus, and on strengthening the legal status of environmental information disclosure.     

Introduction to the State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry

State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry （SKLEAC） is a member of the State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, responsibly constructed by Chinese Academy of Sciences （CAS） with a loan from the World Bank and financial input from CAS. SKLEAC was founded based on several laboratories in the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences （RCEES） in the field of water quality sciences and technologies. SKLEAC is a multi disciplinary basic research center including environmental aquatic chemistry as core, geography, biology, ecology, hydrology, as well as environmental engineering and technology.     

News: JES Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental Sciences, to be held at the 10th National Conference on Environmental Chemistry

<正>A special Journal of Environmental Sciences (JES) Symposium,Recent Advances in Environmental Sciences, will be held at the 10th National Conference on Environmental Chemistry(NCEC), in Tianjin, China, on August 15-19, 2019. Submissions of abstracts on all topics of environmental sciences are welcome.     

Cover features and new Associate Editors of the Journal of Environmental Sciences

正We are very pleased to announce that five Associate Editors have joined the editorial team of the Journal of Environmental Sciences(JES).Professors/Drs.Yong Cai,Paul Lam,Jonathan Martin,Michael Plewa,and Po Keung Wong bring a wealth of expertise in environmental sciences.As preeminent scientists in their chosen areas of research,they have made outstanding contributions to the discipline of environmental     

Optimizing the atmospheric sampling sites using fuzzy mathematic methods

A new approach applying fuzzy mathematic theorems, including the Primary Matrix Element Theorem and the Fisher Classification Method, was established to solve the optimization problem of atmospheric environmental sampling sites. According to its basis, an application in the optimization of sampling sites in the atmospheric environmental monitoring was discussed. The method was proven to be suitable and effective. The results were admitted and applied by the Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) of many cities of China. A set of computer software of this approach was also comuletelv comniled and used.     

Rapid growth of environmental research in China

正Environmental research in China has grown tremendously over the last thirty years.This rapid and sustained growth has been supported by the remarkable increases in research funding,the number of graduate students,the degree-offering programs in environmental sciences and engineering,the state-of-the-art facilities,and international collaboration.In 1986 when the National Natural Science Foundation of     

Professor William R. Cullen and arsenic chemistry

正This special issue of the Journal of Environmental Sciences honors Professor William R.Cullen for his outstanding contributions to synthetic chemistry,environmental chemistry,microbiology,and toxicology of arsenic and its compounds.It is very fitting that the papers in this issue cover a diverse range of topics of arsenic     

Population growth, management and environmental degradation in China

Environmental problems in China can be divided into two large classes: pollution and destruction of natural environment. Environmental degradation is particularly serious in areas with rapid population growth. In this paper, some of China's major environmental problems, particularly those concerned with land, forests, and continental waters are introduced in order to see how population growth and management have affected these resources over the past few decades. It is also explained how the Chinese plan to cope and eventually solve these problems.     

Impact of environmental factors on gastric cancer: A review of the scientific evidence, human prevention and adaptation

Globally, gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth in prevalence and third in fatalities, and shows a distinct geographical distribution in morbidity and mortality. Such a spatial pattern indicates that environmental factors could be an important contributor to GC. We reviewed a total of 135 relevant peer-reviewed articles and other literature published 1936–2019 to investigate the scientific evidence concerning the effects of environmental factors on GC worldwide. Environmental factors affect GC from the aspects of water, soil, air, radiation, and geology. Risk factors identified include water type, water pollution, water hardness, soil type, soil pollution, soil element content, climate change, air pollution, radiation, altitude, latitude, topography, and lithology; and most of them have an adverse impact on GC. Furthermore, we found that their effects followed five common rules: (1) the leading environmental factors that affect GC incidence and mortality vary by region, (2) the same environmental factors may have different effects on GC in different regions, (3) some different environmental factors have similar effects on GC in essence, (4) different environmental factors often interact to have combined or synergistic effects on GC, and (5) environmental factors can affect human factors to have an impact on GC. Environmental factors have a great impact on GC. Human beings may prevent GC by controlling carcinogenic factors, screening high-risk populations and providing symptomatic and rehabilitative treatments. Furthermore, adaptation measures are recommended to reduce GC risk on private and public levels. Future studies should transcend existing empirical studies to develop causal relationship models and focus on vulnerable population analysis.     

Instruction to authors

The Journal of Environmental Sciences, an international journal started in 1989 and sponsored by the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is devoted to publishing original, peer-reviewed research papers on main aspects of environmental sciences, such as environmental chemistry, environmental biology, ecology, geosciences and environmental physics. Appropriate subjects include basic and applied research on atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic environments, pollution control and abatement technology, and conservation of natural resources, environmental health and toxicology. Announcements of international environmental science meetings and other recent information are also included. The objectives are to report on the latest research achievements and developments; to strengthen academic exchanges; to promote cooperation in science and technology; and to contribute to the progress in environmental sciences. The journal＇s board of reviewing editors consists of 36 members from a variety of scientific disciplines of China, USA, Canada, Japan, UK, Australia and Austria and so on.     

Risk forecasting and evaluating model of Environmental pollution accident

Environmental risk(ER) factors come from ER source and they are controlled by the primary control mechanism (PCM) of environmental risk, due to the self failures or the effects of external environment risk trigger mechanism, the PCM could not work regularly any more, then, the ER factors will release environmental space, and an ER field is formed up. The forming of ER field does not mean that any environmental pollution accident(EPA) will break out; only the ER receptors are exposed in the ER field and damaged seriously,the potential ER really turns into an actual EPA. Researching on the general laws of evolving from environmental risk to EPA, this paper bring forwards a relevant concept model of risk forecasting and evaluating of EPA. This model provides some scientific methods for risk evaluation, prevention and emergency response of EPA. This model not only enriches and develops the theory system of environment safety and emergency response, but also acts as an instruction for public safety, enterprise‘ s safety management and emergency response of the accident.     

Environmental status and management in Chiba Prefecture

Chiba Prefecture is located in the east of Tokyo Metropolis. A large scale development of industrial and residential areas began in the late 1950s until then the main industries of the prefecture were agriculture and fisheries. During the past 30 years rapid industrialization and urbanization took place resulting in occurrence of various environmental problems.In an attempt to establish a better environment condition towards 21st century Chiba Prefecture has made Environmental Plan which all the municipal governments, enterprises and inhabitants should observe to realize better environment.     

News

<正>Eight new editorial board members have recently joined the team of the Journal of Environmental Sciences(JES).Professors/Drs.Hongbin Cao,Chuncheng Chen,Wei Chen,Yinguang Chen,Chuanyong Jing,Hailin Wang,Shuxiao Wang,and Xuemei Wang bring a wealth of expertise in environmental sciences.As active scientists in their chosen areas of research,     

Brief Introduction to the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, was set up in Oct. 1986. It was composed of the former Institute of Environmental Chemi-stry, which was founded in 1975, and the Ecology Center. The purpose of setting up the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences is to promote the cooperation of environmen- tal chemists, ecologists and geoscientists so as to solve ecological and environmental issues at regional, national and global levels through interdisciplinary studies.     

Environmental risk assessment of selected organic chemicals based on TOC test and QSAR estimation models

Environmental risks of organic chemicals have been greatly determined by their persistence,bioaccumulation, and toxicity(PBT) and physicochemical properties. Major regulations in different countries and regions identify chemicals according to their bioconcentration factor(BCF) and octanol–water partition coefficient(Kow), which frequently displays a substantial correlation with the sediment sorption coefficient(Koc). Half-life or degradability is crucial for the persistence evaluation of chemicals. Quantitative structure activity relationship(QSAR) estimation models are indispensable for predicting environmental fate and health effects in the absence of field-or laboratory-based data. In this study, 39 chemicals of high concern were chosen for half-life testing based on total organic carbon(TOC) degradation,and two widely accepted and highly used QSAR estimation models(i.e., EPI Suite and PBT Profiler) were adopted for environmental risk evaluation. The experimental results and estimated data, as well as the two model-based results were compared, based on the water solubility, Kow, Koc, BCF and half-life. Environmental risk assessment of the selected compounds was achieved by combining experimental data and estimation models. It was concluded that both EPI Suite and PBT Profiler were fairly accurate in measuring the physicochemical properties and degradation half-lives for water, soil, and sediment.However, the half-lives between the experimental and the estimated results were still not absolutely consistent. This suggests deficiencies of the prediction models in some ways, and the necessity to combine the experimental data and predicted results for the evaluation of environmental fate and risks of pollutants.     

环境科学学报(英文版)

Aims and scope Journal of Environmental Sciences is an international academic journal supervised by Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences,Chinese Academy of Sciences.The journal publishes original,peer-reviewed innovative research and valuable findings in environmental sciences.The types of articles published are research article,critical review,rapid communications,and special issues.The scope of the journal embraces the treatment processes for natural groundwater,municipal,agricultural and industrial     

Analysis and assessment of Chinese eco-environmental situation

In order to give out the correct conclusion for evaluating Chinese eco-environmental situation, in this paper, a special assessmental procedure has been used to analyse following 7 basic environmental problems: (1) Natural hazards; (2) Soil erosion; (3) Forest shrinkage and grassland degradation; (4) Water resources shortage; (5) Desertification; (6) Environmental pollution; (7) Farmland decrease. The basic strategies for improving Chinese environmental situation have been suggested.     

Assessment and mapping of environmental quality in agricultural soils of Zhejiang Province, China

Heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils of Zhejiang Province were monitored to indicate the status of heavy metal contamination and assess environmental quality of agricultural soils. A total of 908 soil samples were collected from 38 counties in Zbejiang Province and eight heavy metal （Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, Ni and As） concentrations had been evaluated in agricultural soil. It was found 775 samples were unpolluted and 133 samples were slightly polluted and more respectively, that is approximately 14.65% agricultural soil samples had the heavy metal concentration above the threshold level in this province by means of Nemerow＇s synthetical pollution index method according to the second grade of Standards for Soil Environmental Quality of China （GB15618- 1995）. Contamination of Cd was the highest, followed by Ni, As and Zn were lower correspondingly. Moreover, Inverse Distance Weighted （IDW） interpolation method was used to make an assessment map of soil environmental quality based on the Nemerow＇s pollution index and the soil environmental quality was categorized into five grades. Moreover, ten indices were calculated as input parameters for principal component analysis （PCA） and the principal components （PCs） were created to compare environmental quality of different soils and regions. The results revealed that environmental quality of tea soils was better than that of paddy soils, vegetable soils and fruit soils. This study indicated that GIS combined with multivariate statistical approaches proved to be effective and powerful tool in the mapping of soil contamination distribution and the assessment of soil environmental quality on provincial scale, which is beneficial to environmental protection and management decision-making by local government.     

环境科学学报(英文版)（英文）

正www.jesc.ac.cnAims and scope Journal of Environmental Sciences is an international academic journal supervised by Research Center for Eco-Environ-mental Sciences,Chinese Academy of Sciences.The journal publishes original,peer-reviewed innovative research and valuable fi ndings in environmental sciences.The types of articles published are research article,critical review,rapid communications,and special issues.The scope of the journal embraces the treatment processes for natural groundwater,municipal,agricultural and     

环境科学学报(英文版)（英文）

正www.jesc.ac.cn Aims and scope Journal of Environmental Sciences is an international academic journal supervised by Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences,Chinese Academy of Sciences.The journal publishes original,peer-reviewed innovative research and valuable findings in environmental sciences.The types of articles published are research article,critical review,rapid communications,and special issues.The scope of the journal embraces the treatment processes for natural groundwater,municipal,agricultural and