In recent years, the global emphasis on environmental protection issues has gradually increased. The existing literature has been divided on whether environmental regulation promotes or inhibits industrial development. Can the innovation-driven strategy proposed by China achieve a win-win situation for both? This paper attempts to investigate the technology innovation of China’s three major economic zones in dual environmental regulation effect on industrial structure upgrade. The research was conducted based on Intermediary Effect Model and employing the technique of Image Analysis, panel data of 30 Chinese provincial from in 2005 to 2017 were selected and analyzed. The results demonstrate that the direct effect of formal environmental regulations (ER) on industrial upgrading is an inverted “U” shape, and it is positively affecting industrial upgrading through technological innovation strategies. However, the mediating role of technological innovation under the informal environmental regulation (IER) is negative. The effect of the innovation-driven strategy has regional heterogeneity, and marketization is conducive to industrial upgrading, but increasing dependence on foreign trade is not conducive to industrial upgrading. The research above politically suggests that China should further strengthen formal and informal environmental regulations, the informal environmental regulation system should be improved, and feedback mechanisms such as laws should be established. Meanwhile, the government should carry out innovation-driven strategies based on local conditions, improve the innovation mechanism, and enhance the diffusion of technological innovation.

A novel bioflocculant (BW-P3) was produced by a strain of Enterobacter sp. P3 using brewery wastewater as substrate and was further applied to remove the colored substance of fracturing flowback water. The optimum conditions for bioflocculant production were specified by the response surface methodology as COD of brewery wastewater 1487.77 mg/L, glucose 8.94 g/L and initial pH 7.09, under which a bioflocculant yield of 1.274 g/L could be reached. The BW-P3 consists of 79.12% polysaccharides and 15.63% protein. Results show that BW-P3 has a high molecular weight (921 kDa) and contains functional groups (hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl, and acylamino) that likely contribute to flocculation. When using the BW-P3 to flocculate fracturing flowback water, the optimal dosage was 1 g/L BW-P3 with addition of 100 mg/L polymeric aluminum chloride as coagulant aid, and treated under 50 °C at pH 7. Under the optimal condition, the removal rates of chroma and suspended solids (SS) of the fracturing flowback water could reach 85% and 52%, respectively.

Eutrophication models are of great importance and are valuable tools for the development of policy and legislation. However, the parameter uncertainty and substantial computational cost lead to difficulties in decision-making, especially for complex models with multiple indicators. A multicriteria uncertainty analysis and parameter estimation (MUAPE) method, which selected behavioral parameters combined with Pareto domination and simultaneously obtained acceptable values for modeling by the maximum likelihood concept and kernel density estimation, was shown. This method, which did not assign thresholds and weights, was applied to analyze the uncertainty of the Chaohu Lake eutrophication model and estimate parameters. The results of the behavioral parameters were compared using different criterion sets, the relative error (RE) and the root mean square error (RMSE), and the results showed little discrepancy in terms of the effects on parameter uncertainty represented by the marginal probability density. The uncertainties of the parameters related to algal kinetics (i.e., BMR, PM, and KESS) were smaller than those of nutrient- and temperature-related parameters (i.e., KDN, Nitm, KTB, and KTHDR) for both sets of criteria. However, the reduction in the joint uncertainty of the two parameters was greater when RE was used than when RMSE was used. The acceptable values for the key parameters of the Chaohu Lake eutrophication model were also obtained by the RE criterion. The results strongly agreed with the observed values, and parameters could be applied for model prediction. This result indicated that the combination method was not only practical for reducing parameter uncertainty but also useful for determining parameter values. This method provides a basis for multicriteria uncertainty analysis and parameter estimation in eutrophication modeling.

Soil-exchangeable aluminum (Al) has toxic effects on living organisms in acidic soils. Earthworm presence and activity can alter soil pH, which has a significant influence on Al toxicity. However, the effects of earthworms on soil Al toxicity and fractions are still largely unknown. This laboratory study focused on the effects of three earthworm species (endogeics Pontoscolex corethrurus and Amynthas robustus, anecis Amynthas aspergillum) on soil acidification, Al fraction distribution, and base cation release. Three native earthworm species and a soil (latosolic red soil) collected from a botanical garden in South China were incubated under laboratory conditions. After 40 days of incubation, six Al fractions in soil, namely exchangeable (AlEₓ), weakly organically bound (AlOᵣw), organically bound (AlOᵣ), amorphous (AlAₘₒ), Al occluded in crystalline iron oxides (AlOₓᵢ), and amorphous aluminosilicate and gibbsite (AlAₐg) fractions, were extracted using a sequential procedure. Soil pH; organic carbon; total nitrogen; total Al (AlTₒₜₐₗ); exchangeable K, Na, Ca, Mg contents; and CEC were determined as well. Compared to control soil, pH values increased by 0.79, 0.41, and 0.57 units in casts in the presence of P. corethrurus, A. robustus, and A. aspergillum, and 0.70, 0.32, and 0.50 units in non-ingested soil, respectively. Compared to control soil, the 61.7%, 30.7%, and 36.1% of AlEₓ contents in casts and 68.5%, 25.9%, and 39.0% of AlEₓ in non-ingested soil significantly decreased with the addition of P. corethrurus, A. robustus, and A. aspergillum, respectively. Moreover, compared to control soil, the 78.7%, 37.7%, and 40.1% of exchangeable Ca²⁺ and 12.3%, 24.7%, and 26.8% of exchangeable Mg²⁺ contents in casts significantly increased with the presence of P. corethrurus, A. robustus, and A. aspergillum, respectively. Soil treated with P. corethrurus had higher soil pH values, exchangeable Ca²⁺ contents, and lower AlEₓ than those with A. robustus and A. aspergillum. Results of principal component analyses showed that P. corethrurus, A. robustus, and A. aspergillum casts and non-ingested soil differ for soil pH, Al fractions, and exchangeable base cations release. These results indicate that earthworms, especially P. corethrurus, can reduce soil Al toxicity, increase soil pH, and affect the release of exchangeable base cations.

Applying a global DEA model based on non-radial directional distance function, this paper constructs a comprehensive efficiency index to estimate green development level and further identifies the influencing mechanism of technology R&D on green development in China’s industrial sector. The results demonstrate that the level of green development in China’s industrial sector declined year by year and the average was 0.27, and it also shows significant regional characteristics within the sample period. Besides, the environment pollution transferred from the east to the central and the west. In addition, the results also indicate that there is a threshold effect for the impact of technology R&D on China’s industrial green development. Based on the volume of the trade openness, this effect presents a “N”-type characteristic that tilts to the right. According to the research results, the corresponding policy recommendations are put forward, which may be of great importance to improve the green development level in China’s industrial sector.

The atmospheric fallout impact on ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb content in fruitbodies of wild growing mushrooms collected from different environments were investigated. The samples of morphologically different mushroom species, namely bay bolete (Imleria badia (Fr.) Vizzini), slippery jack (Suillus luteus (L.) Roussel), fairy ring mushroom (Marasmius oreades (Bolton) Fr.) and common earthball (Scleroderma citrinum Pers.) with their mycelium and soil substrate were collected. Their fruitbodies were separated into cap skin, cap flesh and stem. Also mycelium and soil substrate were collected. The results showed the highest ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb activity concentrations were found in Marasmius oreades cap skin: 3.20 ± 0.12 and 21.1 ± 0.5 Bq kg⁻¹ ww, respectively, which constituted 31.2 and 78.7% of their content in the total fruitbody mass. In the case of open space wild growing mushrooms, their whole caps contain a significantly higher amount of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb when compared to the stem, and their content in the whole cap was determined mainly by concentrations in the cap skin.

A series of environmental protective policies have been taken recently in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) to alleviate water pollution; however, their influence on the reduction of heavy metals in estuarine water has not been known. This study selected Guangzhou as a representative city in the PRE and collected estuarine water monthly from 2008 to 2017 to track the variation of As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Se. During the last decade, the high time-resolved record showed that the concentration of Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in estuarine water reduced by 39.5%, 91.0%, 86.2%, 74.6%, and 97.3%, respectively. However, the concentration of As kept in a stable range (1.89–2.69 μg L⁻¹) and Se (0.17–0.65 μg L⁻¹) increased slightly. The principal component analysis (PCA) and absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) results suggested that the upstream industrial effluents were major sources for Hg (45.5–92.7%), Pb (47.3–100%), Cd (42.0–90.6%), Cu (85.5–100%), and Zn (100%) and the geogenic source was major origin for As (84.6–98.3%) and Se (0–67.5%). The risk quotient of Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn to aquatic organisms largely decreased from 0.03, 0.59, 0.03, 2.06, and 0.26 in 2008 to 0.02, 0.05, 0.006, 0.52, and 0.007 in 2017, respectively. The effective control of heavy metal pollution in the study area can be primarily due to the relocation of hundreds of polluting factories during the last decade.

Global warming and the associated climate changes are predictable. They are enhanced by burning of fossil fuels and the emission of huge amounts of CO₂ gas which resulted in greenhouse effect. It is expected that the average global temperature will increase with 2–5 °C in the next decades. As a result, the earth will exhibit marked climatic changes characterized by extremer weather events in the coming decades, such as the increase in temperature, rainfall, summertime, droughts, more frequent and stronger tornadoes and hurricanes. Epidemiological disease cycle includes host, pathogen and in certain cases intermediate host/vector. A complex mixture of various environmental conditions (e.g. temperature and humidity) determines the suitable habitat/ecological niche for every vector host. The availability of suitable vectors is a precondition for the emergence of vector-borne pathogens. Climate changes and global warming will have catastrophic effects on human, animal and environmental ecosystems. Pathogens, especially neglected tropical disease agents, are expected to emerge and re-emerge in several countries including Europe and North America. The lives of millions of people especially in developing countries will be at risk in direct and indirect ways. In the present review, the role of climate changes in the spread of infectious agents and their vectors is discussed. Examples of the major emerging viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases are also summarized.

Anthropogenic activities are a major source for contaminating the agricultural soil with heavy metals, which can affect physiological and metabolic processes in plants. Among the heavy metals, chromium (Cr) is the most toxic pollutant that negatively affects plants’ metabolic activities, growth, and yield. Chromium reduces the plant growth and development by influencing the photosynthetic performance and antioxidant enzyme activities. This study was designed to examine the promotive role of exogenously applied glycinebetaine (GB) on plant morphophysiological and biochemical attributes in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis L.) under Cr toxicity. Four levels (0, 10, 100, and 200 μM) of Cr were tested under the application of GB (1 mM). The results delineated that Cr stress caused a considerable reduction in plant growth, photosynthetic pigment, gas exchange parameters, and biomass production. At high concentration (200 μM), chromium stress decreased the plant height (57%), root length (32%), number of leaves (45%), and leaf area (29%) as compared with controls. Due to Cr stress, the electrolyte leakage and accumulation of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide increased both in the roots and leaves of cauliflower, whereas antioxidative enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and POD) decreased both in the roots and leaves of cauliflower due to Cr stress. At 200 μM of chromium treatment, root dry weight, stem dry weight, leaf dry weight, and flower dry weight declined up to 43%, 40%, 53%, and 72%, respectively. With the application of GB, dry biomass of plant increased significantly as compared with no GB treatment under chromium stress. As Cr level increased in growth media, its concentration also increased in all plant parts including roots, stem, leaves, and flowers. However, GB application efficiently alleviated the Cr toxic effects on cauliflower and maintained higher plant growth, biomass production, photosynthetic attributes, and gas exchange traits as compared with their respective controls. Exogenously applied GB decreased oxidative stress and improved antioxidative enzyme activities as compared with treatments without GB application. Furthermore, Cr concentrations taken by plants were decreased due to GB application. These findings suggest that GB can play a positive role to maintain plant morphology and photosynthetic attributes under Cr toxic conditions in cauliflower.

The sigma (SIG) coordinate system in ocean circulation simulation models results inevitably in horizontal pressure gradient error. This problem also emerges in models of deep lakes or reservoirs with the same characteristics of underwater terrain mutation. SIG coordinates reflect vertical relative stratification but cannot be used to calculate horizontal pressure gradient force in places with drastic topographic changes; this results in vertical water temperature and circulation errors. In deep lakes or reservoirs, differences in water density caused by the temperature difference between upper and lower water bodies is the primary cause of thermal stratification phenomena. Lake Mead was used as a case study on steep topography based on Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) model in this study. SIG coordinates result in close agreement between the calibrated temperature time series at the top and middle water layers, but disparity in the bottom water layer. The error emerges in the horizontal pressure gradient error due to the SIG coordinate transformation. Neither increasing the vertical resolution nor adjusting the horizontal viscosity coefficient resolve this error. We test the sigma-zed (SGZ) coordinate which combines Z coordinate and SIG coordinate as a replacement for the SIG coordinate to find that they effectively reduce the model’s runtime and simulation efficiency. The vertical temperature distribution in SGZ coordinate mode is more accurate than the distribution in SIG coordinate mode. The Navier-Stokes horizontal gradient and advection diffusion equation results under SIG coordinates are very sensitive to the pressure gradient. The replacement also enhances resolution near the thermocline, facilitates reclosing of the water bottom and the equal sigma surface, lends significant advantages in terms of vertical temperature in the simulation for local deep water with steep terrain, and shortens runtime for 0.14 h. SGZ mixed coordinates are recommended in the simulation of deep lakes or reservoirs wherein the underwater topography is large (with abundant continuous deep trenches or reefs).