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

• Published in: Environmental management (New York) 2013-04, Vol.51 (4), p.939-950
• Main Authors: Huang, Lei, Ban, Jie, Han, Yu Ting, Yang, Jie, Bi, Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Behavior; Biological and medical sciences; Case studies; China; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecological risk assessment; Ecology; Environment; Environmental education; Environmental impact; Environmental Management; Environmental monitoring; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental risk; Eutrophication; Farms; Fertilizers; Forestry Management; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Lakes; Methods; Nature Conservation; Nonpoint source pollution; Perceptions; Point source pollution; Pollutants; Pollution abatement; Pollution sources; Public awareness; Risk; Risk assessment; Risk management; Rural areas; Villages; Waste treatment; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water pollution; Water Pollution - analysis; Water Pollution Control; Water quality; Watershed management; Watersheds
• ISSN: 0364-152X; 1432-1009
• DOI: 10.1007/s00267-013-0024-x

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.