Economic assessment of the health effects related to particulate matter pollution in 111 Chinese cities by using economic burden of disease analysis

With China's rapid economic development, environmental problems have become more and more serious. Particulate air pollution is terrible in cities with large and dense population. It may lead to adverse health effects and economic costs. In this study, we calculated the health effects of pollution caused by particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters less than 10mum (PM(10)) in 111 Chinese cities in 2004 according to statistical data and epidemiological exposure-response functions. Using economic burden of disease analysis, an economic assessment of these health risks was also presented. In contrast to many previous studies that have examined individual cities, this study covered most large and medium-sized cities in China, which accounted for more than 70% gross domestic product (GDP) of China in 2004. The total economic cost caused by PM(10) pollution was estimated as approximately US$ 29,178.7 million. Mega cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin contribute relatively more to the total costs. The results will help policy makers in formulating more effective countermeasures and increasing public awareness to enhance environmental protection.     

CLUSTER ANALYSIS AND WATER PROJECT EVALUATION1

Large-scale water projects have long been undertaken for the benefit of people. Information appears to be needed as to who benefits as a result of these projects. The hypothesis was tested that regional income and employment benefits would be closely related to areas where water projects were located. The analytical procedure centered on cluster analysis used to delineate counties in the Tennessee River Watershed on the basis of changes in selected variables over different periods. The hypothesis was rejected. It was concluded that benefits of water projects were not necessarily confined to isolated areas near projects but were regional.     

HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS FROM CHANGES IN GROUND WATER PUMPAGE1

ABSTRACT: Simulation of a large stream-aquifer system in Nebraska has been accomplished for the period from 1975 to 2020 to determine effects of controls on ground water pumpage. Three scenarios tested consisted of average annual withdrawals of 15.2 ac-in/ac (FUTURE 1), 14.8 ac-in/ac (FUTURE 2), and 9.8 ac-in/ac (FUTURE 3). The highest quantity represents the historical tendency; while the 14.8 in. figure represents a slight reduction and also represents an equalization of irrigation application efficiencies throughout the area. The lowest figure represents a substantial increase in application efficiency. Comparisons between simulated ground water elevations indicate maximum savings of FUTURE 2 over FUTURE 1 of less than 8 ft. FUTURE 3 ft. FUTURE 3 levels are projected to be a maximum of approximately 13 ft. higher than FUTURE 1's. The relatively small savings from reductions in pumpage result primarily from recirculation effects. Differences between ground water contributions to stream flow are small for all scenarios. These contributions decrease with time and increasing pumpage amounts. Base flow rates at the end of the simulation are approximately 25 percent of those at the beginning.     

直流输电线路对环境影响探究

随着科学技术的发展,许多领域在提高工效、节约资源、降低能耗和保护环境方面得到很大的提高.在国内直流输电线路应用就是之一.本文回顾了直流输电线路这项技术发展史,分析了该项技术在技术上和经济上等方面的优缺点,以及直流输电线路对环境和人的影响因素,通过实际工程估算结果说明了直流输电线路的环境影响,为今后开展该项工作提供借鉴.     

固体废物利用与处置碳排放研究进展和发展趋势

固体废物是重要的碳排放源,通过源头减量、资源化与能源化利用以及处理处置过程优化控制可显著降低碳排放水平或产生负碳.但 如何度量固体废物利用与处置带来的减碳效益,在方法学和管理策略等方面显然缺乏系统的梳理和总结.本文首先阐明了固体废物源头 产生-过程处理与利用-末端处置等生命周期过程碳排放的“源”和“汇”,从固体废物类别、利用和处置方式、研究尺度等多个维度,对比分析了固体废物的碳排放强度和水平,并对碳排放与减碳的核算方法和评价体系进行了探讨和总结分析,进一步提出了固体废物治理与碳减排协同增效的研究建议.     

我国能源资源税改革对城乡居民的收入分配效应——基于CGE模型的分析

通过构建包含7个城镇居民组和5个农村居民组的多收入阶层CGE模型,并将劳动力要素分为农业劳动力、技术工人和生产工人3类,在低税率、实际税率和高税率三种情景下模拟了煤炭、石油和天然气资源税改革单独实施和同时实施对城镇和农村居民的收入分配效应,并对税收补偿措施的效果进行分析.结果表明:单独实施煤炭资源税或天然气资源税改革对城镇居民组收入差距有正向的缩小作用,有利于收入分配公平,但对农村居民组收入差距起到负向的扩大作用,不利于收入分配公平;单独实施石油资源税改革则同时缩小了城镇和居民组的收入差距,有利于收入分配公平;同时实施三类能源资源税改革的收入分配效应与税率组合方式有关;将能源资源税收入以补贴的方式返还给农村居民可以缩小其收入差距,有利于收入分配公平.     

川西盆周山地几种人工林的碳聚积效应研究

本文采用材积源生物量法和土壤剖面分析方法,以四川彭州为典型案例,对栽植17年的人工柳杉、杉木、水杉、桦木、桤木、喜树林的碳聚积效应进行了研究.结果表明:不同树种的生物量积累规律为:柳杉>桦木>喜树>水杉>杉木>桤木,每公顷柳杉、桦木、喜树、水杉、杉木、桤木的生物量分别为172t、162t、157t、126t、124t、111t.柳杉的生物量比桦木、喜树、水杉、杉木、桤木增加5.81%、8.72%、26.7%、27.9%、35.5%;不同树种的林分碳贮量为柳杉>桦木>喜树>水杉>杉木>桤木,柳杉、桦木、喜树、水杉、杉木、桤木林分的碳贮量分别为86.0、81.0、7＆5、63.0、62.0、55.5tC/hm2,表明柳杉比其它树种具有更强的生长能力和固碳能力;林下土壤的有机碳含量,在不同土层中的分布规律为:0～10cm>10～30cm>30～50cm>50～70cm,土壤有机碳集中分布于0～50cm土层内;不同树种林下土壤的碳贮量均高于同期的林分碳贮量,表明土壤碳库是林分碳库的补充和延续,且具有更大的固碳潜力.     

Disturbance regimes,resilience, and recovery of animal communities and habitats in lotic ecosystems

Disturbance regime is a critical organizing feature of stream communities and ecosystems. The position of a given reach in the river basin and the sediment type within that reach are two key determinants of the frequency and intensity of flow-induced disturbances. We distinguish between predictable and unpredictable events and suggest that predictable discharge events are not disturbances. We relate the dynamics of recovery from disturbance (i.e., resilience) to disturbance regime (i.e., the disturbance history of the site). The most frequently and predictably disturbed sites can be expected to demonstrate the highest resilience. Spatial scale is an important dimension of community structure, dynamics, and recovery from disturbance. We compare the effects on small patches (⩽1 m²) to the effects of large reaches at the river basin level. At small scales, sediment movements and scour are major factors affecting the distribution of populations of aquatic insects or algae. At larger scales, we must deal with channel formation, bank erosion, and interactions with the riparian zone that will affect all taxa and processes. Our understanding of stream ecosystem recovery rests on our grasp of the historical, spatial, and temporal background of contemporary disturbance events.