The contradiction between supply and demand of resource environment has become increasingly severe because of population expansion and the rapid development of industrial economy. Spatial quantitative evaluation of coupling strength and mutual promotion between industrialization and resource environmental bearing capacity based on panel data can facilitate industrialization and promote sustainable and healthy development of regional economy objectively, scientifically, and rationally. This study proposed a three-level comprehensive evaluation matrix for clustering and comparative analysis of 31 provinces in China to analyse the characteristics of spatial heterogeneity in the coordinated development of industrialization and resource environmental bearing capacity. First, a comprehensive evaluation index system for resource environmental bearing capacity was established based on the differences in resource environmental bearing capacities in various regions of China. Combined with the coordination degree for the evaluation model, the coordination between the resource environmental bearing capacity and the industrialization of the 31 provinces in 2018 was evaluated and compared based on their comprehensive evaluation index. Finally, a cluster comparison analysis was performed in the 31 provinces using the three-level comprehensive evaluation matrix of coupling development of regional economy and resource environmental bearing capacity. Moreover, the accuracy of the coordination degree model was verified according to the clustering results. Results show that the regions with good ordination between industrialization and resource environmental bearing capacity include East and North China. Meanwhile, the provinces with poor coordination mainly include Southwest and Northwest China. The resource environment still restricts the coordination between resource environmental bearing capacity and industrialization development. This study provides a reference for developing differentiated resource environment management measures and countermeasures in various regions in China.

The contradiction between supply and demand of resource environment has become increasingly severe because of population expansion and the rapid development of industrial economy. Spatial quantitative evaluation of coupling strength and mutual promotion between industrialization and resource environmental bearing capacity based on panel data can facilitate industrialization and promote sustainable and healthy development of regional economy objectively, scientifically, and rationally. This study proposed a three-level comprehensive evaluation matrix for clustering and comparative analysis of 31 provinces in China to analyse the characteristics of spatial heterogeneity in the coordinated development of industrialization and resource environmental bearing capacity. First, a comprehensive evaluation index system for resource environmental bearing capacity was established based on the differences in resource environmental bearing capacities in various regions of China. Combined with the coordination degree for evaluation model, the coordination between the resource environmental bearing capacity and the industrialization of the 31 provinces in 2018 was evaluated and compared based on their comprehensive evaluation index. Finally, a cluster comparison analysis was performed in the 31 provinces using the three-level comprehensive evaluation matrix of coupling development of regional economy and resource environmental bearing capacity. Moreover, the accuracy of the coordination degree model was verified according to the clustering results. Results show that the regions with good ordination between industrialization and resource environmental bearing capacity include East and North China. Meanwhile, the provinces with poor coordination mainly include Southwest and Northwest China. Resource environment still restricts the coordination between resource environmental bearing capacity and industrialization development. This study provides reference for developing differentiated resource environment management measures and countermeasures in various regions in China.

Assisted phytoremediation using amendments is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to control soil pollution. However, amendment type, combination and application rate can influence process effectiveness. In the present study, the effect of the association of red mud and carbon-based amendments on the physicochemical properties of a former mine soil as well as the growth and metal(loid) uptake of Trifolium repens was investigated. For this purpose, a mesocosm experiment was set up using a former mine technosol highly contaminated by As and Pb, amended with red mud combined with different carbon-based amendments, i.e., bamboo biochar, oak biochar, steam activated carbon and acidic activated carbon, and sown with Trifolium repens. The final goal was to determine which amendment combination allows soil metal(loid) immobilization and an efficient plant growth. Results showed that all the four different treatments improved soil characteristics by increasing pH and electrical conductivity and reducing redox potential. All the treatments were also effective in reducing soil pore water lead concentrations. Among the four treatments, the addition of red mud and acidic activated carbon in the soil showed better results regarding Trifolium repens growth. Finally, when grown on the soil amended with red mud and acidic activated carbon, Trifolium repens presented mainly a metal(loid) storage in roots, making it a right candidate for the establishment of a vegetation cover.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the application of increasing proportions (0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of an admixture of PCB-contaminated Hudson River sediment collected from the Upper Hudson River, near Waterford, Saratoga county (New York, USA) on soil properties, phytotoxicity, and biometric and physiological responses of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv ‘Wisconsin SMR 58’) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. cv ‘Black Beauty’) grown as potential phyto- and rhizoremediators. The experiment was performed for 4 weeks in a growth chamber under controlled conditions. Amendment of Hudson River sediment to soil led to a gradual increase in PCB content of the substratum from 13.7 μg/kg (with 10% sediment) to 255 μg/kg (with 100% sediment). Sediment amendment showed no phytotoxic effects during the initial stages, even Lepidium sativum root growth was stimulated; however, this positive response diminished following a 4-week growth period, with the greatest inhibition observed in unplanted soil and zucchini-planted soil. The stimulatory effect remained high for cucumber treatments. The sediment admixture also increased cucurbit fresh biomass as compared to control samples, especially at lower doses of sediment admixture, even though PCB content of the soil amended with sediment increased. Cucurbits’ leaf surface area, in turn, demonstrated an increase for zucchini, however only for 50% and 75% sediment admixture, while cucumber showed no changes when lower doses were applied and decrease for 75% and 100% sediment admixture. Chlorophyll a + b decreased significantly in sediment-amended soils, with greater inhibition observed for cucumber than zucchini. Our results suggest that admixture of riverine sediment from relatively less-contaminated locations may be used as soil amendments under controlled conditions; however, further detailed investigation on the fate of pollutants is required, especially in terms of the bioaccumulation and biomagnification properties of PCBs, before contaminated sediment can be applied in an open environment.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the application of increasing proportions (0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of an admixture of PCB-contaminated Hudson River sediment collected from the Upper Hudson River, near Waterford, Saratoga county (New York, USA) on soil properties, phytotoxicity, and biometric and physiological responses of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv ‘Wisconsin SMR 58’) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. cv ‘Black Beauty’) grown as potential phyto- and rhizoremediators. The experiment was performed for 4 weeks in a growth chamber under controlled conditions. Amendment of Hudson River sediment to soil led to a gradual increase in PCB content of the substratum from 13.7 μg/kg (with 10% sediment) to 255 μg/kg (with 100% sediment). Sediment amendment showed no phytotoxic effects during the initial stages, even Lepidium sativum root growth was stimulated; however, this positive response diminished following a 4-week growth period, with the greatest inhibition observed in unplanted soil and zucchini-planted soil. The stimulatory effect remained high for cucumber treatments. The sediment admixture also increased cucurbit fresh biomass as compared to control samples, especially at lower doses of sediment admixture, even though PCB content of the soil amended with sediment increased. Cucurbits’ leaf surface area, in turn, demonstrated an increase for zucchini, however only for 50% and 75% sediment admixture, while cucumber showed no changes when lower doses were applied and decrease for 75% and 100% sediment admixture. Chlorophyll a + b decreased significantly in sediment-amended soils, with greater inhibition observed for cucumber than zucchini. Our results suggest that admixture of riverine sediment from relatively less-contaminated locations may be used as soil amendments under controlled conditions; however, further detailed investigation on the fate of pollutants is required, especially in terms of the bioaccumulation and biomagnification properties of PCBs, before contaminated sediment can be applied in an open environment. | PCBs, Hudson River, Sediment, Cucurbits, Phytoremediation, Rhizoremediation, Plant condition | 100 | 8872-8884 | 9

Seawater pH lowering, known as ocean acidification, is considered among the major threats to marine environment. In this study, post-spawning adults of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were maintained at three pH values (8.0, 7.7, 7.4) for 60 days. Physiological, biochemical, cellular, behavioural and reproductive responses were evaluated in males and females. Significant differences between sexes were observed, with higher ammonia excretion and lower catalase activity in males. Respiration rate (after 21 days), catalase activity in gonads and total coelomocyte count showed the same increasing trend in males and females under low pH. Ammonia excretion, gonadosomatic index and lysozyme activity exhibited opposite responses to low pH, with an increasing trend in males and decreasing in females. Results demonstrated that exposure to low pH could result in different response strategies of male and female sea urchins at a physiological, biochemical and immunological level. Reduced female gonadosomatic index under low pH suggested decreased energy investment in reproduction.

Seawater pH lowering, known as ocean acidification, is considered among the major threats to marine environment. In this study, post-spawning adults of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were maintained at three pH values (8.0, 7.7, 7.4) for 60 days. Physiological, biochemical, cellular, behavioural and reproductive responses were evaluated in males and females. Significant differences between sexes were observed, with higher ammonia excretion and lower catalase activity in males. Respiration rate (after 21 days), catalase activity in gonads and total coelomocyte count showed the same increasing trend in males and females under low pH. Ammonia excretion, gonadosomatic index and lysozyme activity exhibited opposite responses to low pH, with an increasing trend in males and decreasing in females. Results demonstrated that exposure to low pH could result in different response strategies of male and female sea urchins at a physiological, biochemical and immunological level. Reduced female gonadosomatic index under low pH suggested decreased energy investment in reproduction.

Zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) concentrations were measured in 173 samples collected in soils under forest, wetland, and arable land around a Zn smelter plant that stopped activity in the 1960s. The adopted sampling strategy consisted in collecting 0–30-cm-depth samples from all soils, tilled or not, in order to harmonize the analyzed soil volume to that of plowed soils. Airborne deposition was modeled as a function of the distance from the pollution source and of land use. The Zn/Pb concentration ratios in the surface layer remarkably contrasted 3–4, 1.5–2, and ~ 0.5 for arable, wetland, and forest soils, respectively, independently from the distance to the emission source, while total Zn and Pb concentrations, taken separately, were only slightly discriminant. For metal pollution sites originating from former industrial activity, Zn/Pb concentration ratios determined on relevant soil samples represent a powerful indicator that provides easy and rapid information in real field conditions on time-related input/output dynamics of mobile and less-mobile metal pollutants, and hence, on interactions between pollutants and soils under different land use conditions.

International audience | Zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) concentrations were measured in 173 samples collected in soils under forest, wetland, and arable land around a Zn smelter plant that stopped activity in the 1960s. The adopted sampling strategy consisted in collecting 0–30-cm-depth samples from all soils, tilled or not, in order to harmonize the analyzed soil volume to that of plowed soils. Airborne deposition was modeled as a function of the distance from the pollution source and of land use. The Zn/Pb concentration ratios in the surface layer remarkably contrasted 3–4, 1.5–2, and ~ 0.5 for arable, wetland, and forest soils, respectively, independently from the distance to the emission source, while total Zn and Pb concentrations, taken separately, were only slightly discriminant. For metal pollution sites originating from former industrial activity, Zn/Pb concentration ratios determined on relevant soil samples represent a powerful indicator that provides easy and rapid information in real field conditions on time-related input/output dynamics of mobile and less-mobile metal pollutants, and hence, on interactions between pollutants and soils under different land use conditions.