Factors influencing farmers’ decisions on nitrogen fertilizer application in the Liangzihu Lake basin,Central China

Overuse of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in agriculture activities has caused severe water pollution in China. The lack of data at producer level hampers decision makers in the development and implementation of efficient policies to curb excessive N-fertilizer use. In a survey of 300 farm households in the Liangzihu Lake basin, we identified factors associated with farmers’ decisions on N-fertilizer use and application rate. Household survey and multiple linear regression models indicate that the average application rate in the study region is 229 kg N ha^?1, which exceeds the recommended rate for maximum profit for cereal crops (maize, wheat, and rice) in China of 150–180 kg N ha^?1. High N-application rates are associated with low farmland productivity (coefficient = ?15.66, p = 0.02), a high share of off-farm income (coefficient = 27.14, p = 0.003), and a low education level of the household head (coefficient = ?10.83, p = 0.039). Neither physical infrastructure nor access to input markets appears to be related to N-application rates. It may be concluded that excessive use of N in agriculture of Central China is mainly a problem of insufficient awareness and high share of off-farm income.     

Opportunities and challenges for development of urbanization in Western China

Urban and rural dual structure in Western China is obvious.The economic development of the central cities is relatively quick while that of the rural areas is lagging behind.The speeding up of urbanization contributes to the intensively uncoordinated development of urban and rural areas.Besides,the eco-fragile environment,shortage of available water resources,adverse geographic location,and relatively backward social economy restrict the development of urbanization in Western China.However,Western China also has the advantages of backwardness.This paper analyzes the present situation and development trend of urbanization in Western China.The results show that Western China has basically formed a development pattern with"industry promotes agriculture and urban leads to village".Therefore,combined with the present situation of Western China,this paper describes and analyzes the opportunities and challenges that may appear in the process of urbanization in Western China,puts forward the development pattern in which urban and rural areas can gain mutual support and co-development,and provides related recommendations.     

A Methodology Framework for Regional Land-use Change Studies based on Landsat TM images: A Case Study in Northeast China

Abstract

Land-use change is an important aspect of global environment change. It is, in a sense, the direct result of human activities influencing our physical environment. This paper analyzed the land- use change in Northeast China during 1985–2000 based on Landsat TM images. It divides Northeast China into five land-use zones based on the dynamic degree model of land-use: woodland/grassland-arable land conversion zone, dry land-paddy field conversion zone; urban expansion zone, interlocked zone of farming and pasturing and reclamation and abandon zone. The findings include the obvious increase of cropland area, paddy field and dry land increased by 75 and 276 thousand hm² respectively; urban areas expanded rapidly, areas of town and rural residence increased by 76.8 thousand hm²; areas of forests and grassland decreased sharply with the amounts of 1399 and 1521 thousand hm² respectively; areas of water body and unused land increased by 148 and 514 thousand hm² respectively. This paper also discusses the driving forces in each land-use dynamic zone and finds that some key biophysical factors affect conspicuously the conversion of different land-use types. The relation between land-use conversion and DEM, accumulated temperature (≤10°C) and precipitation was analyzed and represented. The land-use changes In Northeast China resulted from the changing macro social and economic factors and local physical elements. Rapid population growth and management changes can explain the shaping of woodland/grassland-cropland conversion zone. The conversion from dry land to paddy field in the dry land-paddy field conversion zone, apart from the change of physical elements promoting the expansion of paddy field, results from two reasons: one is that the implementation of market economy in China has given farmers the right to decide what and how they plant their crops, the other factor is originated partially from the change of the dietary habit along with the social and economic development. The conversion from paddy field to dry land is caused primarily by the shortfall of irrigation water, which in turn is caused by poor water allocation managed by local governments. The shaping of the reclamation and abandon zone is partially due to the lack of environment protection consciousness among pioneer settlers. The reason for the conversion from grassland to cropland is the relatively higher profits of farming than that of pasturing in the interlocked zone of farming and pasturing. In Northeast China, the rapid expansion of built-up areas results from two factors: the existence of a small number of towns and the huge potential for expansion of the existing towns and cities. The urban land expanded mainly in areas with a gentle topographic relief and low population density.     

Current Status of Manufacturing Hazardous Waste in Shanghai

Abstract

It is difficult to manage the manufacturing hazardous waste (MHW) which is generated from a huge amount of complicated sources and causes very serious pollution. Therefore more and more attention has been paid to MHW pollution. Shanghai, as an industrial and economic center and an international metropolis in China, has a vast industrial system spanning a multitude of sectors, which generates MHW not only in a huge magnitude but also in a large variety of types from complicated sources, resulting in severe pollution. In 2003, the production of MHW in Shanghai is about 3.96 × 10⁵ ton, involving 33 indices. Most of MHW in Shanghai is treated and disposed of, but a significant portion is not handled properly and effectively. This paper carries out in-field investigation on the current status of MHW production and treatment in Shanghai, and puts forward scientific proposals that Shanghai should facilitate cleaner production and minimize hazardous waste; strictly enforce hazardous waste registration system, strengthen monitoring the certified enterprises; strengthen intent disposal center construction and realize hazardous waste reclamation; accelerate establishing the technical criteria and the management policy, promote the research and development on the treatment and disposal technology, and strengthen information management, thus realizing integrated management on MHW pollution.     

Application of Tradable Emission Permits in Europe

Abstract

The purpose of this study is merely to review the current situation in the designing and implementation of the emission trading programs in Europe. Historical data show that although there is a series of shortcomings in their current functioning, employing such instruments for GHG reduction policy making is strongly expected to be efficient and effective. The European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS), Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) are just a few examples of the ambitious EU initiative that heavily relies on such instruments. We dwell on their operations and achievements by far and all the content in this article is expected to convince the Chinese government and regional public authorities to take positive actions and attitudes in promoting these instruments.     

煤半焦负载钠催化还原NO的研究

在石英固定床反应器上研究了Na对NO 半焦反应在不同气氛下的催化作用。研究结果表明 ,Na对半焦还原NO的反应具有很强的催化作用 ;热处理温度升高 ,Na的催化作用减小 ;CO和O2 气氛有助于NO的催化还原 ,但随温度的升高CO和O2 的促进作用减弱 ;低温下 ,Na催化剂易于失活 ;Na对于NO 半焦反应的催化作用是通过氧化 /还原机理实现的。     

环境因素对芦苇湿地CH4排放的影响

用封闭式箱法对辽河三角洲芦苇湿地温室气体CH₄ 排放进行了长期观测 .结果表明 ,CH₄ 排放有明显的季节变化规律 ,平均通量为 520μg·m^-2·h^-1.土壤产CH₄ 活性主要发生在0～5cm土层中 ,并随土层深度的增加而显著下降 .CH₄排放受环境因素影响很大 ,土壤氧化还原电位在 -110mV时就有CH₄排放 ,其排放量随氧化还原电位的下降而增加 .另外 ,随着淹水深度的增加 ,CH₄ 排放反而减少 .在测定期内 ,CH₄ 排放与温度呈明显的正相关 (R²=0196,n=21,P<0.05).     

活性炭湿式氧化再生效率评价方法

以苯酚为吸附质 ,重点研究活性炭在湿式氧化再生前后的碘值、焦糖值、穿透曲线、吸附等温线及标准吸附等温线法等几种再生效率评价方法的差异及其适用性 .通过对实验结果分析与比较 ,认为碘值、焦糖值和穿透曲线法不适宜评价活性炭WAO再生效率 ;而吸附等温线试验法虽能客观反映WAO中活性炭的再生效率 ,但其实验工作量太大不便使用 .研究结果还表明 :标准再吸附实验法是一种适合于活性炭湿式氧化再生的相对简便、灵敏、准确的再生效率的评价方法 .在WAO的主要参数即压力、温度和时间分别控制在 0.6MPa、250℃和 1h时 ,活性炭再生效率达到55% .     

pH对铜在黄土中吸持及其形态的影响

用黄土为吸持剂,以石英砂作对照,研究了pH对铜的吸持及形态的影响,并用MINTEQA2模型对铜离子的沉淀形态进行了理论计算.结果表明:无论吸持剂是石英砂还是黄土,随着pH的升高,吸持曲线都分为3区:低pH微吸持区、中pH吸持增长区和高pH强吸持区.含沙量一定,随着铜液初始浓度的增加,吸持量、可交换态含量和碳酸盐结合态含量均增加;铜液初始浓度一定,随着含沙量的增加,吸持量、可交换态含量和碳酸盐结合态含量均减少.MINTEQA2模型计算结果表明,对于不同的吸持剂,铜离子发生沉淀的比例及沉淀的物质组成是不同的;以黄土为吸持剂时,中pH范围内随着含沙量的增加铜离子沉淀的比例减少.     

城市可持续发展的指数普适公式及评价模型

为了建立城市可持续发展的评价模型,分析了社会、经济和环境指标体系所具有的特征,提出了基于GA优化的分类单项指标的发展指数普适公式,并采用广义对比运算和层次分析法对不同层次指标赋权,建立了社会、经济和环境可协调持续发展评价模型.该模型应用于大理市的可协调持续发展评价结果表明:基于GA优化参数后的分类单项指标的发展指数公式和评价模型不仅简单、实用,而且具有可比性、易操作性和普适性.