The environmental awareness of environmental protection bureaucrats in the People's Republic of China

Summary Over 180 environmental protection bureaucrats in the People's Republic of China were individually interviewed to determine their environmental awareness and their attitudes towards the environment. The study indicates that environmental protection bureaucrats in China have conflicting attitudes towards the relationship between man and nature, and between economic growth and environmental protection. However, they show a strong faith in science and technology's ability to solve environmental problems. The perception that too-harsh environmental protection regulations would reduce the growth potential of the economy is so predominant that it poses a serious threat to the environment of the three municipalities under investigation. It is argued that environmental management is a matter of managing human beings. To understand people, it is imperative to gain a thorough understanding of their worldview.Dr Koon-Kwai Wong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and the Geography option co-ordinator on the China Studies course at Hong Kong Baptist University. Dr Hon S. Chan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public and Social Administration at the City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong.     

Profiles and removal efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by two different types of sewage treatment plants in Hong Kong

Sewage discharge could be a major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in the coastal waters. Stonecutters Island and Shatin Sewage Treatment Works(SCISTW and STSTW)in Hong Kong, adopted chemically enhanced primary treatment and biological treatment,respectively. This study aimed at(1) determining the removal efficiencies of PAHs,(2) comparing the capabilities in removing PAHs, and(3) characterizing the profile of each individual PAHs, in the two sewage treatment plants(STPs). Quantification of 16 PAHs was conducted by a Gas Chromatography. The concentrations of total PAHs decreased gradually along the treatment processes(from 301 ± 255 and 307 ± 217 ng/L to 14.9 ± 12.1 and 63.3 ± 54.1 ng/L in STSTW and SCISTW, respectively). It was noted that STSTW was more capable in removing total PAHs than SCISTW with average total removal efficiency 94.4% ± 4.12% vs. 79.2% ± 7.48%(p 0.05). The removal of PAHs was probably due to sorption in particular matter, confirmed by the higher distribution coefficient of individual and total PAHs in solid samples(dewatered sludge contained92.5% and 74.7% of total PAHs in SCISTW and STSTW, respectively) than liquid samples(final effluent-total contained 7.53% and 25.3% of total PAHs in STSTW and SCISTW, respectively).Despite the impressive capability of STSTW and SCISTW in removing PAHs, there was still a considerable amount of total PAHs(1.85 and 39.3 kg/year, respectively for the two STPs) being discharged into Hong Kong coastal waters, which would be an environmental concern.     

Photocatalysis: Preface

<正>A recent search of the keyword"Photocatalysis"in the CAS Sci Finder?database shows that at least 5,000 articles on this topic have been published each year from 2014 to2016.It is expected that even more articles on this topic will be published in the foreseeable future.These data indicate the importance of"Photocatalysis"in the field.The first     

Wash water in waterworks: contaminants and process options for reclamation

Reclamation of clean water from filter backwash water was studied through pilot-scale experiments.The pilot plant consisted of clarification,sand-filtration,and ultrafiltration modules in sequence,with a provision to bypass the sand filter.Clean water that conformed to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on Potable Quality was reclaimed.Turbidity,aluminum and iron were found to be critical contaminants in process selection and design.Clarification,followed by sand filtration,was found to be the minim...     

Fetal methylmercury exposure as measured by cord blood mercury concentrations in a mother-infant cohort in Hong Kong

This study was designed to examine newborn infants in Hong Kong prenatally exposed to levels of methylmercury considered to increase risk of neurotoxic effects and to examine subject characteristics that modify the degree of prenatal mercury exposure. Mercury concentrations in 1057 sets of maternal and cord blood samples and 96 randomly selected maternal hair samples were measured. Subject characteristics were measured or collected by questionnaire. Of the 1057 cord blood samples collected only 21.6% had mercury concentrations less than 29 nmol/L (5.8 micro g/L). Median maternal hair mercury concentration was 1.7 ppm. The geometric mean cord to maternal blood mercury ratio was 1.79 to 1. Increasing maternal fish consumption and maternal age were found to be associated with increased cord blood mercury concentrations. Marine fish consumption increased cord blood mercury concentrations more than freshwater fish (5.09%/kg vs 2.86%/kg). Female babies, maternal alcohol consumption and increasing maternal height were associated with decreased cord blood mercury concentrations. Pregnant women in Hong Kong consume large amounts of fish and as a result, most of their offspring have been prenatally exposed to moderately high levels of mercury. In this population, pregnant women should choose freshwater over marine fish and limit fish consumption.     

Current status of coastal zone issues and management in China: a review

This paper identifies and examines social-economic and environmental issues recently emerged in China's coastal zone. Evaluation of management scheme and progress in perspectives of coordinated legislation, institutional arrangement, public participation, capacity building, and scientific research (mainly coastal planning and functional zoning) in China's coastal zone are made. The Chinese government has made a significant effort in developing legislation for the coastal zone. Jurisdictional and zoning boundaries, and allocating use rights for coastal and marine resources have been established. State Oceanic Administration is the leading agency responsible for China's ocean policymaking and overall management of ocean and coastal affairs. A demonstrated project for integrated coastal management in Xiamen has been implemented, and is characterized as "decentralization" approach in decision-making process. In view of the above, comprehensive coastal management in China is a big challenge, facing with many difficulties. Finally, recommendations are raised for tackling these issues for China's coastal zone management.     

Distribution characteristics of fluoride and aluminum in soil profiles of an abandoned tea plantation and their uptake by six woody species

Distribution characteristics of fluoride (F) and aluminum (Al) in soil profiles of an abandoned tea plantation in Hong Kong and their uptake by six woody species namely Camellia sinensis, Melastoma affine, Sterculia lanceolata, Ardisia crenata, Acacia formosa and Machilus thunbergii were investigated. C. sinensis accumulated both F (656 mg/kg in the leaves) and Al (8910 mg/kg in the leaves). M. Affine only accumulated Al (9932 mg/kg in the leaves), while S. lanceolata, A. crenata, A. formosa and M. Thunbergii were Al (26-115 mg/kg in the leaves) and F (20-25 mg/kg in the leaves) excluders. Water-soluble F and Al contents accumulated in surface soils (especially 0-3 cm) and decreased with depth along soil profiles: A layers (2.0 +/- 0.6 and 31 +/- 5.8 mg/kg) > B layers (1.5 +/- 0.2 and 27 +/- 3.5 mg/kg) > C layers (1.3 +/- 0.2 and 20 +/- 2.7 mg/kg), respectively. The water-soluble, NH4Ac-extractable and HCl-extractable F in soil profiles were significantly correlated (P < .01). F concentrations in all soil layers (n = 51) of soil profiles (n = 17) were significantly correlated (P < .01) to Al concentrations in terms of water-soluble Al/F, HCl-extractable Al/F and NH4Ac-extractable Al/F, due to the formation of Al-F complexes in soil. F contents extracted with deionized water (pH = 6.68), 1 mol/l HCl and 1 mol/l NH4Ac in soil could be used to predict F concentrations in the leaves, stems and roots of the six plants.     

Advances in photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria: Development of photocatalysts and mechanisms

Photocatalysis has attracted worldwide attention due to its potential in solar energy conversion. As a “green” advanced oxidation technology, it has been extensively used for water disinfection and wastewater treatment. This article provides a review of the recent progress in solar energy-induced photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria, focusing on the development of highly efficient photocatalysts and their underlying mechanisms in bacterial inactivation. The photocatalysts are classified into TiO₂-based and non-TiO₂-based systems, as TiO₂ is the most investigated photocatalyst. The synthesis methods, modification strategies, bacterial disinfection activities and mechanisms of different types of photocatalysts are reviewed in detail. Emphasis is given to the modified TiO₂, including noble metal deposition, non-metal doping, dye sensitization and composite TiO₂, along with typical non-TiO₂-based photocatalysts for bacterial disinfection, including metal oxides, sulfides, bismuth metallates, graphene-based photocatalysts, carbon nitride-based photocatalysts and natural photocatalysts. A simple and versatile methodology by using a partition system combined with scavenging study is introduced to study the photocatalytic disinfection mechanisms in different photocatalytic systems. This review summarizes the current state of the work on photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria, and is expected to offer useful insights for the future development in the field.     

Systematic study on the relationship between particulate matter and microbial counts in hospital operating rooms

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, a systematic procedure for establishing the relationship between particulate matter (PM) and microbial counts in four operating rooms...