Abstract
Scientifically assessing the environmental carrying capacity (ECC) based on an evaluation of environmental quality standards (EQSs) holds great significance for establishing a long-term monitoring and early warning mechanism for resources and environmental carrying capacity (RECC) and for coordinating the sustainable development of ecological environments and regional economies. However, it remains unclear whether the evaluation of EQSs based on the short board effect is suitable for environmental assessments under different natural environments. In this research, Xinjiang is used as a case study. Based on the evaluation of EQSs, the atmospheric environmental carrying capacity (AECC), water environmental carrying capacity (WECC) and comprehensive environmental carrying capacity (CECC) are assessed using the short board effect and the weighted average. Additionally, the suitability of ECC evaluation in RECC evaluation is discussed. The results show the following: (1) In the atmosphere, the overload of inhalable particles (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is more serious, while in water, the overload of total nitrogen (TN) is more serious. (2) The percentages of the AECC, WECC and CECC in overloaded counties and cities based on the short board effect are 84%, 45%, and 51%, respectively, while the percentages based on the weighted average are 32%, 6% and 7%, respectively. (3) The extreme effects of a single pollutant can be eliminated by the weighted average, which is more suitable for environmental assessments in Xinjiang. (4) In evaluating RECC monitoring and early warning systems, weighted average evaluation is used to assess the elements, and short board effect evaluation is used in the comprehensive integration to prevent the influence of the amplification of a single index. Thus, the interference of non-key factors in the regional system on the final evaluation results is reduced.
Highlights
Since the beginning of the industrial era, the global population and economy have continued to grow
Using atmospheric and water monitoring data, we calculated the concentration overload indices for the atmospheric environmental carrying capacity (AECC), water environmental carrying capacity (WECC) and comprehensive environmental carrying capacity (CECC) of Xinjiang based on the short board effect and the weighted average
(1) PM2.5 and PM10 were the main factors that exceeded the atmospheric environmental standard; they are closely related to drought, low rainfall amounts, wind and sand in the natural environment of Xinjiang
Summary
Since the beginning of the industrial era, the global population and economy have continued to grow. Energy resources have been excessively exploited, aggravating air pollution and water pollution. The pollution of these two components of the environment has important impacts on climate and health [1,2] and on social and economic development [3,4,5]. With the rapid development of the social economy, China’s environmental problems have become increasingly prominent since the country’s reform and opening. Environmental pollution has become an important bottleneck restricting China’s economic and social development and is seriously affecting the process of modernization
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