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Non-point source pollution caused by rainfall runoff is an important pollution source for river water. To explore the impact of heavy rain on urban river water environments, this paper studied the changes in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels, composition, and structure in the river water of Kaifeng, China, during the heavy rain in July 2021. The results showed that the concentrations of different forms of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus all increased under the effect of the heavy rain. The increase of phosphorus in the river was the largest, and that of carbon was the smallest. The most significant pollution from carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus occurred in the HJ River. Colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) was present in the form of macromolecules after the rain, and the degree of humification was deeper compared with before the rain. But heavy rain did not affect the CDOM composition in urban rivers. The spectral slope (SR) and the absorption coefficient at 240 nm to 420 nm (E2/E4) values showed that the CDOM was dominated by exogenous input after the rain, with endogenous pollution again becoming the main factor one week after the rain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid economic growth leads to such problems as resource scarcity and environmental degradation. Local governments successively take measures such as technological innovation to solve atmospheric environmental pollution; however, technological innovation fails to fundamentally alleviate atmospheric environmental pollution. Therefore, local governments come to realize the importance of green-technology innovation, which means an inevitable choice for various countries in the world to seek long-term development and win competitive advantage. Under such circumstances, this paper chooses the panel data of 30 provinces and regions in China from 2005 to 2018, takes environmental regulation as the threshold variable, and empirically analyzes the relationship between green-technology innovation and atmospheric environmental pollution by constructing a Spatial Measurement Model and Panel Regression Model. As evinced, green-technology innovation has a significant inhibitory effect and a spatial spillover effect on atmospheric environmental pollution. When environmental regulation reaches a level of intensity, green-technology innovation can effectively curb atmospheric environmental pollution. Accordingly, relevant parties should strengthen green-technology innovation, coordinate the development of the governance system of green-technology innovation, establish a joint prevention and control mechanism, increase the investment in green technology research and development, and augment the role of green-technology innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to (1) analyze heavy metals (Cr, As, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in the rhizosphere soil and roots, leaves, stems, and grains of maize and wheat crops using different methods; (2) evaluate the advantages of diffusive gradients in thin films technology (DGT) for predicting the bioavailability of heavy metals; and (3) compare the characteristics of DGT with other methods. Materials and Methods: In this study, we collected maize and wheat samples and their rhizosphere soil over a pollution gradient in Kaifeng City, China. Six heavy metal (Cr, As, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) levels in rhizosphere soil were determined using DGT, EDTA, soil solution, and total amount methods, respectively. The heavy metal content in the roots, leaves, stems, and grains of maize and wheat was also analyzed. The relationships between six heavy metal soils concentrations detected by different methods, and their contents in the different parts of wheat and maize, were analyzed using statistical methods. The characteristics and application scope of the different methods were evaluated. Results and Discussion: The accumulation of heavy metals in maize and wheat was generally higher in the roots than in the above-ground parts (i.e., stems, leaves, and grains). For the soil solution method, only soil As levels showed a significantly positive correlation with its content in different parts of wheat and corn. For the EDTA method and the soil total amount method, only As, Zn, and Pb levels were significantly correlated with their contents in different parts of wheat and corn. Six heavy metal concentrations detected by DGT were all significantly positively correlated with their contents in the different parts of wheat and maize. Furthermore, DGT was less affected by the soil pH than EDTA. Conclusions: DGT was more accurate in simultaneously predicting plant-available Cr, As, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb. However, other methods, like EDTA, soil solution, and total amount methods, can also be considered when predicting the bioavailability of a single heavy metal (e.g., As or Zn) in rhizosphere soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iron and steel industry is an important foundation of the national economy. It is the inevitable choice, to achieve high-quality development in the new era of the iron and steel industry, to speed up the green development of the iron and steel industry. This paper studies the effect of steel industry agglomeration on regional economic growth and air pollution. Through the analysis of the characteristics of iron and steel industry agglomeration, and the empirical analysis of the relationship between iron and steel industry agglomeration, regional economic growth, and air pollution, it is found that: (1) Iron and steel industry agglomeration helps to promote economic growth; (2) Iron and steel industry agglomeration has an obvious spatial correlation effect and obviously drives the development of surrounding areas; (3) Iron and steel industry agglomeration will cause air pollution. The marginal effect of air pollution will decline rapidly with the development of iron and steel industry agglomeration. (4) The impact of green process innovation investment on air pollution presents an inverted U-shaped effect, which has a positive effect on air recovery after exceeding the critical point. (5) The air self-purification capacity represented by precipitation, helps to reduce air pollution. Based on the above conclusions, this paper puts forward some policy suggestions, such as making a scientific development plan for the iron and steel industry, accelerating green process innovation, effectively improving regional precipitation and precipitation times, vigorously promoting high-quality development of the regional economy, and comprehensively promoting coordinated development of the iron and steel industry, so as to cope with the dilemma of the coordinated development of the iron and steel industry, regional economic growth, and smog pollution, and strive for international development in the future. In the competition, we should gain the first opportunity and obvious competitive advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landscape pattern changes caused by human activities are among the most important driving factors affecting ecosystem spatial structure and components, and significantly impact ecosystem services. Understanding the relationship between landscape patterns and ecosystem services is important for improving regional conservation and establishing ecosystem management strategies. Taking the Huaihe River Basin as an example, this study used land-use data, meteorological data, and topographic data to analyze the spatial and temporal changes in landscape patterns via landscape transfer matrix and landscape indices, and measured four ecosystem services (water retention, soil retention, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation) with the InVEST models. Furthermore, correlation analysis and global spatial autocorrelation coefficient were used to analyze the impact of landscape pattern changes on ecosystem services. The results showed grassland and farmland areas had continuously decreased, while built-up land and affected water had significantly increased. Landscape fragmentation was reduced, the connectivity between patches was weakened, landscape heterogeneity, evenness, and patch irregularity were increased. Changes in landscape composition and configuration have affected the ecosystem services of the Huaihe River Basin. The reduction in grassland areas and the increase in built-up land areas have significantly reduced the capacity for soil retention, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation. Spatially, regions with low landscape fragmentation and high patch connectivity had a higher water retention capacity and biodiversity conservation, while soil retention and carbon storage were opposite. Temporally, reduction of landscape fragmentation and increase of patch shape irregularity had a negative effect on water retention, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation, while soil retention was not sensitive to these changes. The findings in this paper promote an understanding of the relationship between landscape patterns and ecosystem services on a large scale and provide theoretical guidance for ecosystem management and protection planning in the Huaihe River Basin, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algal blooms (ABs) can affect the migration of phosphorus (P) among sediments, interstitial water and overlying water. It is important to analyze the characteristics of P and their interactions in the three media during ABs. A 5-month field study (June to October in 2016) was conducted in Zhushan Bay of Lake Taihu. P fractions, P adsorption characteristics and P diffusion fluxes at the sediment-water interface (SWI) were investigated. During the outbreak period of ABs from June to August, labile P concentrations in the sediment measured by diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT-labile P) and its diffusion fluxes across the SWI increased significantly. The equilibrium P concentration (EPC 0) of the sediment was higher than the PO 4 3--P concentration in the overlying water. During the period of decline of ABs from September to October, the concentrations and diffusion fluxes of DGT-labile P sharply decreased. However, the sediment total P (TP), overlying water TP, total dissolved P (TDP) and PO 4 3--P concentrations increased. These results show that the ability of sediment solids to supplement interstitial water labile P was significantly enhanced by the outbreak of ABs. Labile P was then intensively released into the overlying water by interstitial water. Degraded algae became a crucial P source during the period of decline of ABs. P from the degraded algae was re-released to the sediment and overlying water. The observed DGT-labile P and DGT-labile Fe coupling in June, September and October confirmed the Fe redox-driven P release mechanism in sediment during these periods. The decoupling of DGT-labile P and DGT-labile Fe was observed in July and August and was probably caused by algal decomposition, labile organic P degradation and/or sulfate reduction in sediment stimulated by the ABs outbreak. [Display omitted] • Sediment P was strongly influenced by the outbreak and decline of algal blooms. • Labile P diffusion flux at SWI increased first and then decreased during algal blooms. • The decoupling of labile P and labile Fe occurred in July and August. • P migration in sediment, pore water, overlying water was accelerated by algal blooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Stable isotope technique was applied to study water use strategy of wetland plant. • The main water source of Carex cinerascens was changed from lake water to soil water. • Water conditions strongly adjusted WUE and water niche of Carex cinerascens. • Carex cinerascens had obvious adjustability and adaptability. Water is a key factor in maintaining plant growth and determining plant species distribution. Studying the water use strategies of plants under different water conditions is of great significance for understanding the wetland vegetation patterns and performing ecological regulation of wetlands. The present study aims to quantify the contribution rates of potential water sources to Carex cinerascens in the Poyang Lake Wetland using stable isotope techniques and to assess water use efficiency (WUE) and water niche breadth to reveal the water use strategy of C. cinerascens and its response to water condition changes. The results showed that soil water in the 0–20 cm soil layer replaced lake water, becoming the main source of water for C. cinerascens during the growing season as a result of the decrease in the lake water levels and the change in soil water contents. The contribution rates of soil water in the 0–20 cm soil layer to the development of C. cinerascens in the 12-, 13-, and 14-m elevation zones increased by 31.4, 11.0, and 21.1 %, respectively. In addition, the contribution rate of soil water from the 20–40 cm soil layer was lower than that from the 0–20 cm soil layer, while rainwater exhibited the lowest contribution rates to the development of C. cinerascens. The aboveground parts exhibited higher WUE values than those of belowground parts at the growth stage, except in the 14-m elevation zone, and lower WUE values than those of the belowground parts at the maturation and wilting stages of C. cinerascens. According to the calculated Levins index, the water niche breadths of C. cinerascens were reduced and increased under abundant and insufficient water amounts, respectively. C. cinerascens adjusted the water source, WUE, and water niche breadth during the entire growing season to adapt to changing water conditions in the Poyang Lake Wetland, thereby reflecting the strong adjustability and adaptability of C. cinerascens. This study provides further insights into the relationships between wetland vegetation and hydrological changes, as well as a scientific basis for wetland ecological and hydrological regulation and vegetation restoration in the Poyang Lake Wetland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human disturbances have become the main factors affecting the ecological environment. Therefore, evaluating the intensity of human disturbances is of great significance for ensuring effective regional conservation and ecosystem management. In this study, we constructed a novel method to quantify human disturbances based on three components of human disturbances into three types, namely naturalness transformation, natural resource consumption, and pollutant emissions. These components were quantified using the land use naturalness index (LNI), resource consumption index (RCI), and pollution emission index (PEI). Based on these three indicators, the human disturbances index (HDI) was calculated to reflect the intensity of human disturbances. In addition, remote sensing (RS), geographic information system (GIS), and multisource data were combined in the HDI method, taking into account the temporal variability of input parameters to achieve more convenient and comprehensive dynamic monitoring and evaluation of human disturbances. The applicability and effectiveness of the HDI method were assessed in the Huaihe River Basin, China. The obtained results revealed an increase and decrease in the intensities of human disturbances in the Huaihe River Basin from 1990 to 2005 and from 2010 to 2018, respectively. In addition, areas with a high level of human disturbances in the 1990-2005 period were mainly concentrated in the agricultural and industrial areas, while those in the 2010-2018 period were mainly observed in urban areas. This change was mainly due to a decrease in the pollutant emission amounts from agricultural and industrial lands and a marked increase in resource consumption in urban areas. This study provides theoretical guidance for regional conservation in the Huaihe River Basin and a new method for quantifying human disturbances., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wang, Zhang, Wang, Wang, Zhou and Sun.)