ISSUES AND SUGGESTIONS ON LEVYING SO_2 EMISSION GHARGES TO THERMAL POWER PLANTS

This paper analyzes 9 essentials in trial collecting SO2 emission charges based on the relevant legislative policies, summarizes and analyzes the actual practices of collecting and using SO2 emission charges in power industry, and combining the status of power system reform, puts forward some recommendations about reasonably collecting and using SO2 emission charges and prompting power plants to take measures of desulfurization.

Estimation of SO_2 emission factors from copper smelting industry in Yunnan Province,China

Copper smelting is a significant source of SO2 emission. It is important to quantify SO2 emissions from combustion sources for regulatory and control purposes in relation to air quality. The characteristics of SO2 emissions from copper smelting industry in Yurman Province, China, were examined. Analysis based on the present situation, material balance and measuring method were used to confirm SO2 emission factors of copper smelting industry. Results show that SO2 emission factors for Isa system, side blown-continuous converting system （SB-CC）, blast furnace-continuous converting systems （B-CC） and blast furnace-converter blowing （B-C） are 11.69-18.64, 62.44--101.4, 19.43-37.88 and 45.48-81.03 kg/t（blister copper）, respectively. The comprehensive emission factor based on all smelting plants is found to be in the range of 23-39.99 kg-SO2/t（blister copper） for Yunnan Province, China. The results are compared with those for discharge coefficients of industrial pollutants in the First National General Survey of Pollution Sources and the emission factor of the total amount of major pollutants. It is observed that there are some differences among emission factors.

A decomposition model to analyze effect of SO_2 emission density of China

A decomposition model was applied to study the resource-saving and environment-friendly effects of air pollutant emissions(taking industrial SO2 emission as an example) in China.From the results,it is found that 38.93% and 61.07% are contributed to environment-friendly and resource-saving effects,respectively,by the dramatic decrease in industrial SO2 emission density(nearly 70% from 2001 to 2010).This indicates that China has achieved important progress during the 11th FYP(five-year plan) compared with the 10th FYP.A simultaneous equations model was also employed to analyze the influencing factors by using data from 30 provinces in China.The results imply that the influence of environmental regulation on environment-friendly effect is not obvious during the 10th FYP but obvious during the 11th FYP.Thus,the government should continue promoting the environment-friendly effect by further enhancing environmental regulation and strengthening the role of environmental management.

Impact of trade on China's SO_2 emissions is relatively small

To better understand trades impact on the environment, we construct a four-equation simultaneous system in whichthree economic determinants define emissions: scale, composition and technique effects, all embodied directly by trade.Supposing the three economic determinants are also endogenous to trade, we check the indirect impacts of trade onthe environment in the following three functions through the intermediation of the three effects.We then estimate 29Chinese provinces’ panel data in the model on industrial SO2 emissions （1993-2001）.Our estimation results revealthat export expansion and the accumulation of manufactured goods imports had the opposite roles on industrial SO2emissions determination.The results do not support the "pollution haven" hypothesis; the reinforced competitionexporters face is a positive factor that encourages technological progress in pollution abatement.China’s actualcomparative advantage resides in labor-intensive industries; exporting to the world market actually helps to reduce thepollution increases caused by China’s heavy-industry-oriented industrialization strategy, which government-intervenedimport activities traditionally support.

Exploring the impact of economic growth and energy consumption on SO_(2) emissions in China based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis

This study aims to analysis the influence of economic growth(EG)and energy consumption(EC)on sulfur dioxide emissions(SE)in China.Accordingly,this study explores the link between EG,EC,and SE for 30 provinces in China over the span of 2000-2019.This study also analyzes cross-sectional dependence tests,panel unit root tests,Westerlund panel cointegration tests,Dumitrescu-Hurlin(D-H)causality tests.According to the test results,there is an inverted U-shaped association between EG and SE,and the assumption of the Environmental Kuznets Curve(EKC)is verified.The signs of EG and EC in the fixed effect(FE)and random effect(RE)methods are in line with those in the dynamic ordinary least squares(DOLS),fully modified ordinary least squares(FMOLS)and autoregressive distributed lag(ARDL)estimators.Moreover,the results verified that EC can obviously positive impact the SE.To reduce SE in China,government and policymakers can improve air quality by developing cleaner energy sources and improving energy efficiency.This requires the comprehensive use of policies,regulations,economic incentives,and public participation to promote sustainable development.

Quantification of CO_(2) Emissions from Three Power Plants in China Using OCO-3 Satellite Measurements

Coal-fired power plants are a major carbon source in China. In order to assess the evaluation of China's carbon reduction progress with the promise made on the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to monitor the carbon flux intensity from coal-fired power plants. Previous studies have calculated CO_(2) emissions from point sources based on Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 and-3(OCO-2 and OCO-3) satellite measurements, but the factors affecting CO_(2) flux estimations are uncertain. In this study, we employ a Gaussian Plume Model to estimate CO_(2) emissions from three power plants in China based on OCO-3 XCO_(2) measurements. Moreover, flux uncertainties resulting from wind information, background values,satellite CO_(2) measurements, and atmospheric stability are discussed. This study highlights the CO_(2) flux uncertainty derived from the satellite measurements. Finally, satellite-based CO_(2) emission estimates are compared to bottom-up inventories.The satellite-based CO_(2) emission estimates at the Tuoketuo and Nongliushi power plants are ~30 and ~10 kt d^(-1) smaller than the Open-Data Inventory for Anthropogenic Carbon dioxide(ODIAC) respectively, but ~10 kt d^(-1) larger than the ODIAC at Baotou.

Regulatory potential of soil available carbon,nitrogen,and functional genes on N_(2)O emissions in two upland plantation systems

Dynamic nitrification and denitrification processes are affected by changes in soil redox conditions,and they play a vital role in regulating soil N_(2)O emissions in rice-based cultivation.It is imperative to understand the influences of different upland crop planting systems on soil N_(2)O emissions.In this study,we focused on two representative rotation systems in Central China:rapeseed–rice(RR)and wheat–rice(WR).We examined the biotic and abiotic processes underlying the impacts of these upland plantings on soil N_(2)O emissions.The results revealed that during the rapeseed-cultivated seasons in the RR rotation system,the average N_(2)O emissions were 1.24±0.20 and 0.81±0.11 kg N ha^(–1)for the first and second seasons,respectively.These values were comparable to the N_(2)O emissions observed during the first and second wheat-cultivated seasons in the WR rotation system(0.98±0.25 and 0.70±0.04 kg N ha^(–1),respectively).This suggests that upland cultivation has minimal impacts on soil N_(2)O emissions in the two rotation systems.Strong positive correlations were found between N_(2)O fluxes and soil ammonium(NH_(4)^(+)),nitrate(NO_(3)^(–)),microbial biomass nitrogen(MBN),and the ratio of soil dissolved organic carbon(DOC)to NO_(3)^(–)in both RR and WR rotation systems.Moreover,the presence of the AOA-amoA and nirK genes were positively associated with soil N_(2)O fluxes in the RR and WR systems,respectively.This implies that these genes may have different potential roles in facilitating microbial N_(2)O production in various upland plantation models.By using a structural equation model,we found that soil moisture,mineral N,MBN,and the AOA-amoA gene accounted for over 50%of the effects on N_(2)O emissions in the RR rotation system.In the WR rotation system,soil moisture,mineral N,MBN,and the AOA-amoA and nirK genes had a combined impact of over 70%on N_(2)O emissions.These findings demonstrate the interactive effects of functional genes and soil factors,including soil physical characteristics,available carbon and nitrogen,and their ratio,on soil N_(2)O emissions during upland cultivation seasons under rice-upland rotations.

Refining the Factors Affecting N_(2)O Emissions from Upland Soils with and without Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at a Global Scale

Nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)is a long-lived greenhouse gas that mainly originates from agricultural soils.More and more studies have explored the sources,influencing factors and effective mitigation measures of N_(2)O in recent decades.However,the hierarchy of factors influencing N_(2)O emissions from agricultural soils at the global scale remains unclear.In this study,we carry out correlation and structural equation modeling analysis on a global N_(2)O emission dataset to explore the hierarchy of influencing factors affecting N_(2)O emissions from the nitrogen(N)and non-N fertilized upland farming systems,in terms of climatic factors,soil properties,and agricultural practices.Our results show that the average N_(2)O emission intensity in the N fertilized soils(17.83 g N ha^(-1)d^(-1))was significantly greater than that in the non-N fertilized soils(5.34 g N ha^(−1) d^(−1))(p<0.001).Climate factors and agricultural practices are the most important influencing factors on N_(2)O emission in non-N and N fertilized upland soils,respectively.For different climatic zones,without fertilizer,the primary influence factors on soil N_(2)O emissions are soil physical properties in subtropical monsoon zone,whereas climatic factors are key in the temperate zones.With fertilizer,the primary influence factors for subtropical monsoon and temperate continental zones are soil physical properties,while agricultural measures are the main factors in the temperate monsoon zone.Deploying enhanced agricultural practices,such as reduced N fertilizer rate combined with the addition of nitrification and urease inhibitors can potentially mitigate N_(2)O emissions by more than 60%in upland farming systems.

A combination of straw incorporation and polymer-coated urea offsets soil ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions in winter wheat fields

The combined effects of straw incorporation(SI)and polymer-coated urea(PCU)application on soil ammonia(NH_(3))and nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)emissions from agricultural fields have not been comprehensively evaluated in Northwest China.We conducted a two-year field experiment to assess the effects of combining SI with either uncoated urea(U)or PCU on soil NH_(3)emissions,N_(2)O emissions,winter wheat yields,yield-scaled NH_(3)(/NH_(3)),and yield-scaled N_(2)O(/N_(2)O).Five treatments were investigated,no nitrogen(N)fertilizer(N_(0)),U application at 150 kg N ha-1 with and without SI(SI+U and S_(0)+U),and PCU application at 150 kg N ha^(-1) with and without SI(SI+PCU and S_(0)+PCU).The results showed that the NH_(3);emissions increased by 20.98-34.35%following Sl compared to straw removal,mainly due to increases in soil ammonium(NH_(4)^(+)-N)content and water-flled pore space(WFPS).SI resulted in higher N_(2)O emissions than under the So scenario by 13.31-49.23%due to increases in soil inorganic N(SIN)contents,WFPS,and soil microbial biomass.In contrast,the PCU application reduced the SIN contents compared to the U application,reducing the NH_(3)and N_(2)O emissions by 45.99-58.07 and 18.08-53.04%,respectively.Moreover,no significant positive effects of the SI or PCU applications on the winter wheat yield were observed.The lowest /NH_(3) and /N_(2)O values were observed under the S_(0)+PCU and SI+PCU treatments.Our results suggest that single PCU applications and their combination with straw are the optimal agricultural strategies for mitigating gaseous N emissions and maintaining optimal winter wheat yields in Northwest China.

Recent progress in the applications of presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography imaging in parkinsonism

Nowadays,presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography,which assesses deficiencies in dopamine synthesis,storage,and transport,is widely utilized for early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of parkinsonism.This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest developments in the application of presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography imaging in disorders that manifest parkinsonism.We conducted a thorough literature search using reputable databases such as PubMed and Web of Science.Selection criteria involved identifying peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years,with emphasis on their relevance to clinical applications.The findings from these studies highlight that presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography has demonstrated potential not only in diagnosing and differentiating various Parkinsonian conditions but also in assessing disease severity and predicting prognosis.Moreover,when employed in conjunction with other imaging modalities and advanced analytical methods,presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography has been validated as a reliable in vivo biomarker.This validation extends to screening and exploring potential neuropathological mechanisms associated with dopaminergic depletion.In summary,the insights gained from interpreting these studies are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of preclinical investigations and clinical trials,ultimately advancing toward the goals of neuroregeneration in parkinsonian disorders.

Mitigating Carbon Emissions:A Comprehensive Analysis of Transitioning to Hydrogen-Powered Plants in Japan’s Energy Landscape Post-Fukushima

One of the impacts of the Fukushima disaster was the shutdown of all nuclear power plants in Japan,reaching zero production in 2015.In response,the country started importing more fossil energy including coal,oil,and natural gas to fill the energy gap.However,this led to a significant increase in carbon emissions,hindering the efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.In the current situation,Japan is actively working to balance its energy requirements with environmental considerations,including the utilization of hydrogen fuel.Therefore,this paper aims to explore the feasibility and implications of using hydrogen power plants as a means to reduce emissions,and this analysis will be conducted using the energy modeling of the MARKAL-TIMES Japan framework.The hydrogen scenario(HS)is assumed with the extensive integration of hydrogen into the power generation sector,supported by a hydrogen import scheme.Additionally,this scenario will be compared with the Business as Usual(BAU)scenario.The results showed that the generation capacities of the BAU and HS scenarios have significantly different primary energy supplies.The BAU scenario is highly dependent on fossil fuels,while the HS scenario integrates hydrogen contribution along with an increase in renewable energy,reaching a peak contribution of 2,160 PJ in 2050.In the HS scenario,the target of reducing CO_(2) emissions by 80%is achieved through significant hydrogen penetration.By 2050,the total CO_(2) emissions are estimated to be 939 million tons for the BAU scenario and 261 million tons for the Hydrogen scenario.In addition,the contribution of hydrogen to electricity generation is expected to be 153 TWh,smaller than PV and wind power.

SO_2 emission cap planning for Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone

The SO 2 emission sources of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone were divided into 556 emissions units according to four different categories,which are city,industry,point sources,and area sources.The CALPUFF model was used to calculate the contribution of each unit,and consequently obtain an influence-transferring matrix.To ensure that the SO 2 concentrations of 46 cities and counties in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone meet air quality standards,an emission optimization model was developed to calculate optimal emissions of each emission unit under different development scenarios.The result showed the optimal emissions of SO 2 by different provinces and industries.To achieve the target of restricting and optimizing development,corresponding planning programs were developed for every district.

Study on SO_2 Emission Mitigation of Thermal Power Plants in China

With the rapid development of electricity production, SO 2 from coal fired power stations causes severe air pollution problem. In 1997, the SO 2 emitted from thermal power plants reached 7.0 Mt, accounting for about 33% of the national emissions. At present and in the future, thermal power stations will still be the primary pollution sources. The Chinese government and power departments accord considerable importance to the SO 2 emissions from thermal power plants. New sets of environmentally friendly policies have been formulated. But, enforcement of laws and regulations needs to be further improved and broadened, especially those responding to market conditions. This paper focuses particular attention on the analysis of strategy, policies, and measures that have been or should be taken against SO 2 emissions from thermal power plants so as to achieve the environmental protection targets, on the basis of which the technical options for the future are given.

Detection of Anthropogenic CO_(2) Emission Signatures with TanSat CO_(2) and with Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor(S5P)NO_(2) Measurements:First Results

China’s first carbon dioxide(CO_(2))measurement satellite mission,TanSat,was launched in December 2016.This paper introduces the first attempt to detect anthropogenic CO_(2) emission signatures using CO_(2) observations from TanSat and NO_(2) measurements from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument(TROPOMI)onboard the Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor(S5P)satellite.We focus our analysis on two selected cases in Tangshan,China and Tokyo,Japan.We found that the TanSat XCO_(2) measurements have the capability to capture the anthropogenic variations in the plume and have spatial patterns similar to that of the TROPOMI NO_(2) observations.The linear fit between TanSat XCO_(2) and TROPOMI NO_(2) indicates the CO_(2)-to-NO_(2) ratio of 0.8×10^(-16) ppm(molec cm^(-2))^(-1) in Tangshan and 2.3×10^(-16) ppm(molec cm^(-2))^(-1) in Tokyo.Our results align with the CO_(2)-to-NOx emission ratios obtained from the EDGAR v6 emission inventory.

How do green product exports affect carbon emissions?Evidence from China

Green development has become an increasingly important global initiative.Therefore,this study focuses on the impact of green product exports on carbon emissions in China.Firm-level datasets are used to estimate provincial green product exports between 2001-2016.This study estimates the impact of green exports on carbon emissions using the system generalized method of moments methodology.In addition,heterogeneity and asymmetry of the nexus are explored.The following findings are highlighted:(1)China’s green product exports show a significant upward trend during the study period;(2)increased green product exports,especially those of high-technology manufacturers,can effectively mitigate CO_(2) emissions;(3)the influence of green product exports on carbon emissions is regional heterogeneous but consistent across quantiles;and(4)technique and scale effects are significant mediators,whereas the composition effect is not.These findings provide new evidence supporting methods to mitigate China’s CO_(2) emissions by adjusting green product export structures.

Revisiting the nexus between fiscal decentralization and CO_(2)emissions in South Africa:fresh policy insights

The argument over fiscal decentralization and carbon dioxide emission(CO_(2))reduction has received much attention.However,evidence to back this claim is limited.Economic theory predicts that fiscal decentralization affects environmental quality,but the specifics of this relationship are still up for debate.Some scholars noted that fiscal decentralization might lead to a race to the top,whereas others contended that it would result in a race to the bottom.In light of the current debates in environmental and development economics,this study aims to provide insight into how this relationship may function in South Africa from 1960 to 2020.In contrast to the existing research,the present study uses a novel dynamic autoregressive distributed lag simulation approach to assess the positive and negative changes in fiscal decentralization,scale effect,technique effect,technological innovation,foreign direct investment,energy consumption,industrial growth,and trade openness on CO_(2)emissions.The following are the main findings:(i)Fiscal decentralization had a CO_(2)emission reduction impact in the short and long run,highlighting the presence of the race to the top approach.(ii)Economic growth(as represented by the scale effect)eroded ecological integrity.However,its square(as expressed by technique effect)aided in strengthening ecological protection,validating the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis.(iii)CO_(2)emissions were driven by energy utilization,trade openness,industrial value-added,and foreign direct investment,whereas technological innovation boosted ecological integrity.Findings suggest that further fiscal decentralization should be undertaken through further devolution of power to local entities,particularly regarding environmental policy issues,to maintain South Africa’s ecological sustainability.South Africa should also establish policies to improve environmental sustainability by strengthening a lower layer of government and clarifying responsibilities at the national and local levels to fulfill the energy-saving functions of fiscal expenditures.

Accelerating net-zero carbon emissions by electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

Electroreduction of CO_(2)shows great potential for global CO_(2)utilization and uptake when collaborated with renewable electricity.Recent advances have been achieved in fundamental understanding and electrocatalyst development for CO_(2)electroreduction.We think this research area has progressed to the stage where significant efforts can focus on translating the obtained knowledge to the development of largescale electrolyzers,which have the potential to accelerate the transition of the current energy system into a sustainable and zero-carbon emission energy structure.In this perspective paper,we first critically evaluate the advancement of vapor-feed devices that use CO_(2)as reactants,from the point of view of industry applications.Then,by carefully comparing their performance to the state-of-the-art water electrolyzers which are well-established technology providing realistic performance targets,we looped back and discussed the remaining challenges including electrode catalysts,reaction conditions,mass transporting,membrane,device durability,operation mode,and so on.Finally,we provide perspectives on the challenges and suggest opportunities for generating fundamental knowledge and achieving technological progress toward the development of practical CO_(2)electrolyzers for the goal of building lowcarbon or/and net carbon-free economies.

Modeling CO_(2)Emission in Residential Sector of Three Countries in Southeast of Asia by Applying Intelligent Techniques

Residential sector is one of the energy-consuming districts of countries that causes CO_(2)emission in large extent.In this regard,this sector must be considered in energy policy making related to the reduction of emission of CO_(2)and other greenhouse gases.In the present work,CO_(2)emission related to the residential sector of three countries,including Indonesia,Thailand,and Vietnam in Southeast Asia,are discussed and modeled by employing Group Method of Data Handling(GMDH)and Multilayer Perceptron(MLP)neural networks as powerful intelligent methods.Prior to modeling,data related to the energy consumption of these countries are represented,discussed,and analyzed.Subsequently,to propose a model,electricity,natural gas,coal,and oil products consumptions are applied as inputs,and CO_(2)emission is considered as the model’s output.The obtained R^(2) values for the generated models based on MLP and GMDH are 0.9987 and 0.9985,respectively.Furthermore,values of the Average Absolute Relative Deviation(AARD)of the regressions using the mentioned techniques are around 4.56%and 5.53%,respectively.These values reveal significant exactness of the models proposed in this article;however,making use of MLP with the optimal architecture would lead to higher accuracy.

酸性大气环境对钢梁腐蚀行为的研究

钢梁在酸性大气环境下的腐蚀是随时间逐渐进行的,了解其腐蚀深度及腐蚀速率是研究腐蚀后钢梁承载力和退化规律的前提。基于含SO_(2)的酸性大气环境下钢材腐蚀机理和幂函数模型,从金属电化学腐蚀理论出发,推导低碳钢在酸性大气环境下腐蚀深度的理论预测模型,并将得到的预测模型与大气腐蚀试验站测得的试验数据及幂函数模型进行对比,结果表明三者得到的腐蚀深度数据接近,且发展趋势一致。从电化学腐蚀角度给出预测低碳钢腐蚀深度的理论方法,为分析腐蚀环境下钢梁的稳定承载力奠定基础。

Nexus between CO2 Emissions and Economic Growth, Industrial Production, and Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam: Symmetric ARDL Approach

Vietnam’s economy has been developing strongly in recent years;however, it is necessary to examine the impact of its economic activities on environmental quality. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between CO2 emissions and economic growth, industrial production, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam. The ARDL estimation was used to process the dataset from World Bank. Results showed that economic growth, industrial production, and FDI have an impact on CO2 emissions in the long run in Vietnam. Granger Causality test also indicated that there is a causal relationship between economic growth, industrial production, and CO2 emissions in Vietnam from 1990 to 2018, at 5% statistical significance level. Proposed solutions to reduce CO2 emissions but still promote economic growth toward the green growth orientation and zero carbon target attainment are as follows: 1) reduce the use of fossil energy in industrial manufacturing and replace it by renewable energy sources;2) use modern technology for all production sectors in economy;and 3) develop a legal framework for FDI projects selection and choose foreign investors with modern and low carbon emission technology.