Estimation of human diet-derived nitrogen and phosphorus loads on the water and soil environment with rapid urbanization in Shanghai
2013
Liu, C. (Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi (Japan). Graduate School of Environmental Studies)
Regional material flows are strongly influenced by human diets. This paper aims to estimate quantitatively the nitrogen and phosphorus (N and P) loads on the water and soil environment contributed by the diet of the citizens in Shanghai, and also to suggest future trends. A questionnaire / interview survey was conducted for 450 adults over 18 years old in 3 representative areas of Shanghai. The lifestyle (eating habits, domestic sanitation, drainage facilities, etc.) patterns with rapid urbanization were determined and the potential N and P loads from human diets on the environment were calculated. The daily potential N and P loads from human diets were 19.36 g-N, 1.80 g-P in the central district, 16.48 g-N, 1.52 g-P in the new district, and 13.04 g-N, 1.20 g-P in the suburban / rural area of Shanghai. Respondents in all three areas, especially those in the suburban / rural area reported a preference for increasing the intake of animal-derived as well as processed foods, which means that the potential N and P load from human diets on the environment will increase further. As the causes of the problems of the water environment are shifting towards urban lifestyle issues, environment-friendly eating habits and improvements in environmental awareness will be required.
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