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Multi-angle Indicators System of Non-point Pollution Source Assessment in Rural Areas: A Case Study Near Taihu Lake

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Abstract

This study aims to identify key environmental risk sources contributing to water eutrophication and to suggest certain risk management strategies for rural areas. The multi-angle indicators included in the risk source assessment system were non-point source pollution, deficient waste treatment, and public awareness of environmental risk, which combined psychometric paradigm methods, the contingent valuation method, and personal interviews to describe the environmental sensitivity of local residents. Total risk values of different villages near Taihu Lake were calculated in the case study, which resulted in a geographic risk map showing which village was the critical risk source of Taihu eutrophication. The increased application of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), loss vulnerability of pollutant, and a lack of environmental risk awareness led to more serious non-point pollution, especially in rural China. Interesting results revealed by the quotient between the scores of objective risk sources and subjective risk sources showed what should be improved for each study village. More environmental investments, control of agricultural activities, and promotion of environmental education are critical considerations for rural environmental management. These findings are helpful for developing targeted and effective risk management strategies in rural areas.

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Notes

  1. Statistical Yearbook 2010 for Wujing County.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Sino-America Collaborative Research Program (Grant No. 2010DFA91910), Chinese Natural Sciences Foundation (41271014&41171411).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

The study performed in this paper complies with the current laws of China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Xianlin Campus, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China

    Lei Huang, Jie Ban, Yu Ting Han, Jie Yang & Jun Bi

Authors
  1. Lei Huang
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  2. Jie Ban
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  3. Yu Ting Han
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  4. Jie Yang
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  5. Jun Bi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jun Bi.

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Huang, L., Ban, J., Han, Y.T. et al. Multi-angle Indicators System of Non-point Pollution Source Assessment in Rural Areas: A Case Study Near Taihu Lake. Environmental Management 51, 939–950 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-013-0024-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-013-0024-x

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