An integrated method of selecting environmental covariates for predictive soil depth mapping

Environmental covariates are the basis of predictive soil mapping.Their selection determines the performance of soil mapping to a great extent,especially in cases where the number of soil samples is limited but soil spatial heterogeneity is high.In this study,we proposed an integrated method to select environmental covariates for predictive soil depth mapping.First,candidate variables that may influence the development of soil depth were selected based on pedogenetic knowledge.Second,three conventional methods(Pearson correlation analysis(PsCA),generalized additive models(GAMs),and Random Forest(RF))were used to generate optimal combinations of environmental covariates.Finally,three optimal combinations were integrated to produce a final combination based on the importance and occurrence frequency of each environmental covariate.We tested this method for soil depth mapping in the upper reaches of the Heihe River Basin in Northwest China.A total of 129 soil sampling sites were collected using a representative sampling strategy,and RF and support vector machine(SVM)models were used to map soil depth.The results showed that compared to the set of environmental covariates selected by the three conventional selection methods,the set of environmental covariates selected by the proposed method achieved higher mapping accuracy.The combination from the proposed method obtained a root mean square error(RMSE)of 11.88 cm,which was 2.25–7.64 cm lower than the other methods,and an R^2 value of 0.76,which was 0.08–0.26 higher than the other methods.The results suggest that our method can be used as an alternative to the conventional methods for soil depth mapping and may also be effective for mapping other soil properties.

Environmental Properties of Minerals and Contaminants Purified by the Mineralogical Method

The investigation of the environmental properties of minerals, i.e., environmental mineralogy, is a branch of science dealing with interactions between natural minerals and spheres of the Earth surface as well as a reflection of global change, prevention of ecological destruction, participation in biomineralogy, and remediation of environmental pollution. Pollutant treatment by natural minerals is based on the natural law and reflects natural self-purification functions in the inorganic world, similar to that of the organic world - a biological treatment. A series of case studies related to natural self-purification, which were mostly completed by our group, are discussed in this paper. In natural cryptomelane there is a larger pseudotetragonal tunnel than that formed by [MnO6] octahedral double chains, with an aperture of 0.462-0.466 nm2, filled with K cations. Cryptomelane might be a real naturally-occurring mineral of the active octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2). CrⅥ-bearing wastewater can be treated by natural pyrrhotite, which is used as a reductant to reduce CrⅥ and as a precipitant to precipitate CrⅢ simultaneously. Batch experiments were conducted using the CTMAB-Montmorillonite as an adsorbent for aromatic contaminants (phenol, aniline, benzene, toluene and xylenes), which are detected frequently in the leaching water from municipal waste deposits around China. The CTMAB modification has proved very effective to enhance the adsorption capacity of the sorbent. Expansion of vermiculite develops loose interior structures, such as pores or cracks, inside briquettes, and thus brings enough oxygen for combustion and the sulfation reaction. Effective combustion of the original carbon reduces the amount of dust in the fly ash.

Modal Parameter Identification Method of Jacket Platform Structure Based on AFDD and Optimized FBFFT

Offshore platforms are susceptible to structural damage due to prolonged exposure to random loads,such as wind,waves,and currents.This is particularly true for platforms that have been in service for an extended period.Identifying the modal parameters of offshore platforms is crucial for damage diagno sis,as it serves as a prerequisite and foundation for the process.Therefore,it holds great significance to prioritize the identification of these parameters.Aiming at the shortcomings of the traditional Fast Bayesian Fast Fourier Transform(FBFFT) method,this paper proposes a modal parameter identification method based on Automatic Frequency Domain Decomposition(AFDD) and optimized FBFFT.By introducing the AFDD method and Powell optimization algorithm,this method can automatically identify the initial value of natural frequency and solve the objective function efficiently and simply.In order to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method,it is used to identify the modal parameters of the IASC-ASCE benchmark model and the j acket platform structure model,and the Most Probable Value(MPV) of the modal parameters and their respective posterior uncertainties are successfully identified.The identification results of the IASC-ASCE benc hmark model are compared with the identification re sults of the MODE-ID method,which verifies the effectivene ss and accuracy of the proposed method for identifying modal parameters.It provides a simple and feasible method for quantifying the influence of uncertain factors such as environmental parameters on the identification results,and also provide s a reference for modal parameter identification of other large structures.

Uncertainty analysis for the calculation of marine environmental design parameters in the South China Sea

The calculation results of marine environmental design parameters obtained from different data sampling methods,model distributions,and parameter estimation methods often vary greatly.To better analyze the uncertainties in the calculation of marine environmental design parameters,a general model uncertainty assessment method is necessary.We proposed a new multivariate model uncertainty assessment method for the calculation of marine environmental design parameters.The method divides the overall model uncertainty into two categories:aleatory uncertainty and epistemic uncertainty.The aleatory uncertainty of the model is obtained by analyzing the influence of the number and the dispersion degree of samples on the information entropy of the model.The epistemic uncertainty of the model is calculated using the information entropy of the model itself and the prediction error.The advantages of this method are that it does not require many-year-observation data for the marine environmental elements,and the method can be used to analyze any specific factors that cause model uncertainty.Results show that by applying the method to the South China Sea,the aleatory uncertainty of the model increases with the number of samples and then stabilizes.A positive correlation was revealed between the dispersion of the samples and the aleatory uncertainty of the model.Both the distribution of the model and the parameter estimation results of the model have significant effects on the epistemic uncertainty of the model.When the goodness-of-fit of the model is relatively close,the best model can be selected according to the criterion of the lowest overall uncertainty of the models,which can both ensure a better model fit and avoid too much uncertainty in the model calculation results.The presented multivariate model uncertainty assessment method provides a criterion to measure the advantages and disadvantages of the marine environmental design parameter calculation model from the aspect of uncertainty,which is of great significance to analyze the uncertainties in the calculation of marine environmental design parameters and improve the accuracy of the calculation results.

The evolution of central environmental protection inspection policy attention in China: An investigation based on inspection reports

The central environmental protection inspection (CEPI) system in China is a significant institutional innova‐tion in national environmental governance. The CEPI applies a joint supervision strategy to address salient en‐vironmental issues and strictly enforce the environmental responsibilities of local governments. This study col‐lects and organizes CEPI inspection reports covering three stages that encompass the first round, the “look back”, and the second round, applying text analysis to obtain sample data and conduct statistical quantifica‐tion of word frequency in inspection reports and identify notable changes. The study explores the allocation of CEPI attention between policy objectives and the intensity of policy instruments. We determine that in con‐junction with public opinion feedback, the CEPI conducts targeted inspections and focuses more on pollutant governance, which has high severity and can be addressed quickly. The CEPI fills the gap of normalized gover‐nance with a campaign-style governance approach. Regarding the intensity of policy measures, the CEPI pri‐marily uses economic incentive policy instruments, supplemented by command-and-control and public guid‐ance approaches, advancing the sustainability of regulatory effectiveness through economic, social, and politi‐cal activities. This study extends knowledge in the field of CEPI policy priorities and implementation, expand‐ing the literature related to outcomes of environmental policy in developing countries.

Methods Research to Calculate Equivalent of Environmental Cost in Power Industry

Power industry as an important means of primary energy consumption, occupies an important position in coal consumption and pollutant emissions, and causes a great impact on the environment. It is particularly important to define environmental costs while Environmental costs account for a heavy weight in the total cost of generating after the introduction of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) This paper analyzes the composition of environmental cost and its calculation methods, three cost equivalent pricing methods and its scope in environmental costs were proposed, there are Government pricing, market pricing and cost accounting, then analyses the cost of equivalent effect on electricity trade.

Examination of the poverty-environmental degradation nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa

The relationship between environmental degradation and poverty has increasingly become the focus of national strategic decision-making in recent years.However,despite several theoretical explorations on the nexus,a dearth of empirical literature on the poverty-environmental degradation nexus,specifically on Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA),still exists.In this study,we investigated the poverty-environmental degradation nexus in SSA.We hypothesized that poverty is both a cause and effect of environmental degradation,and this relationship is explained as a vicious cycle.Unlike previous studies,we employed several alternative indicators of environmental degradation to examine the poverty-environmental degradation nexus in this study.We used data from 41 countries of SSA between 1996 and 2019 and employed the generalized method of moments(GMM)approach.The findings suggest a cyclical relationship between poverty and environmental degradation in SSA,which confirms that an increase in poverty leads to an increase in environmental degradation,especially in deforestation and PM2.5 emissions.Similarly,the increase in environmental degradation positively affects poverty in SSA.We also confirmed that exogenous conditioning factors such as population growth rate,education,industrialization,and income inequality,institutional quality indicators such as governance effectiveness,control of corruption,freedom ad civil liberty,and democracy,and endogenous factors including fossil fuel energy use,fuelwood energy use,household health expenditure,infant mortality rate,and agriculture productivity influence the nexus between poverty and environmental degradation.The findings on the relationship between poverty and environmental degradation in SSA are a testimonial evidence that both poverty and environmental degradation are significant issues in SSA.Hence,poverty alleviation policies in SSA should not lead to PM2.5 emissions and deforestation,which may as well force people into a poverty-environmental degradation trap.Instead,poverty reduction policies should simultaneously achieve environmental conservation.

Trade Benefits and Environmental Costs of GVCS: A Case Study of the BRICS

As the international trading system has developed with the division of Global value Chains (GVCS), the export trade of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) has grown rapidly. The resulting growth of carbon emissions has drawn wide attention from the international community, necessitating the comparison of the trade benefits and environmental costs of the BRICS participation in GVCS. Based on the Eora database, this paper constructs a decomposition framework for the calculation of export value-added and embodied carbon, based on a multi-region input-output (MRIO) model. The trade benefits and environmental costs paid by the BRICS’ total exports from 1990 to 2015 were measured and the imbalance was analyzed, along with the causes. The results show that the main value-added and carbon embodied in the BRICS’ exports originate from their own countries, and the domestic value-added content of the BRICS’ exports decreased while the foreign value-added content increased.

Study on the System of Aquatic Environmental Monitoring Methods in China

The development of Chinese system of aquatic environmental monitoring methods was summarized. The existing problem of the system of aquatic environmental monitoring methods was analyzed. At last, some suggestions were made on setting and implementing the system of aquat- ic environmental monitoring methods in China.

Geological Environmental Adaptability of Qingdao Rural Urbanization Based on Fuzzy Mathematical Method

Fuzzy mathematics comprehensive evaluation method is used to evaluate the geological environment suitability of rural urbanization in Qingdao City,China.A total of 5 first-level evaluation factors are selected,including environmental geological condition,geological resources,engineering geological condition,geological disaster and environmental geological problem,and human engineering activity.And there are 27 second-level evaluation factors,such as topography,land type and vegetation,nature reserve,water source protection area,groundwater quality division,and major engineering project.Qingdao City is divided into four districts of suitable area,relatively suitable area,moderately suitable area and relatively unsuitable area of ecological environment.And their characteristics are introduced.Suggestions for the developing direction of urban construction are put forward.Region of Laoshan District lying to the west of the Shilaoren is suitable to set up high-rise building;west Hongshiya may establish a waste landfill site;Jiaozhou Bay,the downstream of Dagu River,and Jihongtan Reservoir should be built as the key geological environment protection area and water source protection area.And the north Hongdao should be strictly monitored in order to control the expansion of urban construction to Jihongtan Reservoir.Mocheng District and the area north of it,Jiaozhou District and the area east of it are the ideal urban construction development areas in Qingdao City in the future.

A Comparative Analysis of Environmental Quality Assessment Methods for Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils

Four assessment methods(two pollution indexes and two fuzzy mathematical models) were employed to investigate the environmental quality of four soils around a ferroalloy plant in Nanjing City.Environmental quality was assessed as class IV(moderately polluted) for each soil with single-factor index method,and was identified to be classes IV,III(slightly polluted),III,and III for soils A,B,C,and D,respectively,with the comprehensive index model.In comparison with the single-factor index method,the comprehensive index model concerned both dominant parameter and average contribution of all factors to the integrated environmental quality.Using the two fuzzy mathematical methods(single-factor deciding and weighted average models),the environmental risks were determined to be classes IV,III,II(clean),and II for soils A,B,C,and D,respectively.However,divergence of the membership degree to each pollution class still occurred between the two methods.In fuzzy mathematical methods,membership functions were used to describe the limits between different pollution degrees,and different weights were allocated for the factors according to pollution contribution.Introduction of membership degree and weight of each factor to fuzzy mathematical models made the methods more reasonable in the field of environmental risk assessment.

Discussion on Collaborative Teaching of Econometrics in the Field of Environmental Economics

To capitalize on the synergies between the Econometrics course and the Environmental Economics major,this paper aims to enhance students’ability to conduct empirical analysis and practical application using econometric models.It also seeks to promote collaborative teaching through case studies and model research.The primary focus is on the hot research issues within the field of environmental economics,utilizing the econometric model as a vehicle for instruction.To achieve this,the paper proposes the development of a comprehensive case library specific to environmental economics.This resource will serve to optimize the case teaching approach,incorporating the use of econometric software,and fostering interactive teaching models between educators and students.By implementing these strategies,the paper outlines a path and mode for collaborative teaching that effectively bridges the gap between econometrics and environmental economics.

Improved AHP method and its application in lake environmental comprehensive quality evaluation—a case study of Xuanwu Lake, Nanjing, China

The relative importance of each pollution factor in analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method comes from pooling expert opinions in general. Because expert opinions are based on information and judgment criteria, determining their weight may lead to uncertainty.. Therefore, an improved AHP method had been developed. The process of the improved AHP method involved four key procedures. The weights of pollution factors were completely related to the objective monitoring data through the standardization of these procedures. The environmental comprehensive quality of water and sediment of Xuanwu Lake, Nanjing, China had been evaluated. The environmental quality comprehensive indices (EQCI) of the water in 1991-1995 and 1996-2000 were 3.32 and 1.85, respectively, indicating that the water quality improved. The EQCI of the sediment in 1995 and 2000 indicates that the sediment contamination decreased from 1995 to 2000. Such results agreed with the fact that the lake had been under comprehensive control. However, with the classical AHP method, the EQCI of the sediment in the northwestern part of the lake may have indicated that sediment contamination increased from 1995 to 2000. The discrepancy may have resulted from the judgment difference of the experts. The improved AHP method can avoid arbitrariness of subjective judgment and can reflect the real influential factors of environment pollution in different periods or regions.

R/S method for evaluation of pollutant time series in environmental quality assessment

The significance of the fluctuation and randomness of the time series of each pollutant in environmental quality assessment is described for the first time in this paper. A comparative study was made of three different computing methods： the same starting point method, the striding averaging method, and the stagger phase averaging method. All of them can be used to calculate the Hurst index, which quantifies fluctuation and randomness. This study used real water quality data from Shazhu monitoring station on Taihu Lake in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. The results show that, of the three methods, the stagger phase averaging method is best for calculating the Hurst index of a pollutant time series from the perspective of statistical regularity.

Prediction of Long-Term Extreme Response of Fish Cage Using Environmental Contour Method

The fish cage design requires accurate predictions of long-term extreme loads and responses.Compared with the time-consuming full long-term analysis method integrating all the probability distribution of the short-term extremes,the environmental contour method gains much attention in predicting the long-term extreme values due to the less computational effort.This paper investigates the long-term extreme response of a fish cage using the environmental contour method.The fish cage is numerically simulated based on the lumped-mass method and the curved beam theory.Based on the one-dimensional(1D)and two-dimensional(2D)environmental contour,the extreme responses,including the surge and heave motions,mooring force,and vertical bending of the floater,are predicted for different return periods and compared with the full long-term analysis results.Results indicate that the 1D method greatly underestimates the extreme values.The 2D environmental contour method with a higher percentile level,namely90%,provides reasonable estimations and seems to be suitable for the long-term value analysis.Sensitivity studies show that the mooring arrangement and the bending stiffness have great effects on the bending moment and the mooring force and the mooring line pre-tension has minor effects on the fish cage response.

Neutron activation method in the analysis of environmental objects

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Characteristics and Methods of Groundwater Environmental Impact Assessment in Mining Areas of Guizhou Province:A Case Study of Zhijin Area of Zhina Mining Area

In Guizhou Province,karst areas and springs are widely distributed,and hydrogeological conditions are complex in mining areas. Usually there are many hydrogeological units in a mining area,and the hydrogeological conditions are very different from that of most northern mining areas in China. In view of the uniqueness of mining areas in Guizhou Province,taking Zhijin area of Zhina mining area as an example,the planning characteristics of mining areas and characteristics of groundwater environment in Guizhou Province were analyzed firstly,and then the characteristics and key considerations of groundwater environmental impact assessment in mining areas of Guizhou Province were studied. For example,when the height of water flowing fractured zone,impact radius,and the amount of water resources affected are calculated,it is necessary to analyze and evaluate as many typical mines as possible. The impact on springs as the sources of residents＇ drinking water should be analyzed one by one.

Environmental Impacts of Farm Waste Treatment Methods and Perspectives of Valorization by Composting: The Case of the Farm “Sociétéde Provenderies du Cameroun (SPC)” of Foumbot

Waste recovery is an environmental, agronomic and economic asset. The farm “Société de Provenderies du Cameroun” (SPC) processes its wastes by incineration and landfill. During this study, environmental impacts of these two treatment methods were assessed in this farm and a composting experiment was also conducted. For the experiment, chicken carcasses and droppings mixed with wood shavings, straw, incineration ash, egg shells and cattle dung were distributed differently in four experimental composters C1, C2, C3 and C4 with the same starting weight. C1 consisted of the first three waste types, for C2, C3 and C4 a new waste was added in the order they are listed above. The results show that the major impacts associated with the incineration and landfilling of SPC waste are the degradation of the health of workers and surrounding populations, the occurrence of conflicts, and the pollution of the air, soil and groundwater of the site. As far as composting is concerned, the characteristics of three of the four composts obtained are usable as soil fertilisers. Indeed, at the end of the experiment, the pH of the four composters was basic (8), the temperature values were between 24°C and 34°C and the humidity values were between 37% and 41%. However, the last parameter, the C/N ratio, was not satisfactory for C1 (13.42), which eliminated it from mature and ready-to-use composts according to FAO standards. The C/N ratios of C2 (15.71), C3 (16.30), and C4 (18) composters were found to be good for mature and ready-to-use compost.

Analysis of Existing Problems and Treatment Methods of Urban Environmental Monitoring

With the rapid development of the city,the concept of ecological environment has been integrated into everyone’s heart.In the new era,people also have higher requirements for the quality of living environment.However,at this stage,with the development of urbanization and industrialization,the problem of environmental pollution has become more and more serious.Therefore,we must do a good job in urban environmental monitoring,pay attention to the protection of urban environment,design and implement effective governance methods,so as to improve the quality of environmental governance.This article analyzes the problems in urban environmental monitoring,and formulates reasonable treatment methods and suggestions.