Quality Management In China Research Articles

Widespread decrease in chromophoric dissolved organic matter in Chinese lakes derived from satellite observations

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) can significantly influence underwater light fields, nutrient availability, and microbial activity; thus, it plays an essential role in physical, chemical, and biological processes in aquatic ecosystems. China has undergone significant changes in climate, water quality improvement, and human processes over the past few decades. However, the impact of these processes on CDOM in Chinese lakes is unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to reconstruct long-term and high-resolution CDOM data from Landsat satellite images using a simple model to characterise changes in CDOM in 2462 Chinese lakes (surface area ≥ 1 km2) from 1986 to 2021. Validation results demonstrated that the model performed adequately in deriving the CDOM absorption coefficient at 350 nm, with a root mean square deviation, median deviation, median absolute percentage difference, and median ratio of 0.68 m−1, 0.02 m−1, 19.76%, and 1.01, respectively. We observed a distinct spatial pattern of CDOM, with higher CDOM in eastern China with intensive human activities but lower CDOM in western China with strong ultraviolet radiation. Temporally, mean aCDOM(350) of Chinese lakes from 1986 to 2021 decreased at a rate of - 0.25 m−1/10 years. We also revealed that increased regional vegetation coverage and improved water quality mainly drive CDOM decline in lakes on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau Region and Eastern Plain Region, respectively. The widespread decrease in CDOM, in turn, has contributed to changes in the optical properties and biogeochemical cycles of Chinese lakes. Our results provide valuable insights for lake environmental protection and water quality management in China.

The Sustainable Quality Management in China’s Private Higher Education: Developments and Challenges from ZY University

The Sustainable Quality Management in China’s Private Higher Education: Developments and Challenges from ZY University

Analysis of transport path and source distribution of winter air pollution in Shenyang

Abstract Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems faced by mankind. It is regional and highly complex, and it is more prominent in China. With the development of air quality management in China, the research on cross-regional transmission of air pollutants is particularly important. This paper reports on pollution characteristics, transport path, and distribution of pollution sources of major contaminants in Shenyang. For this purpose, pollution-monitoring data were gathered from November 2017 to March 2018. Data were analyzed using the HYSPLIT back trajectory model, the potential source contribution function (PSCF), and the concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) model. Results indicated that PM2.5 was the main pollutant in Shenyang during the study period. Air pollution was mainly affected by coal combustion, traffic emissions, and long-distance transmission. Among the 11 monitoring points, the pollution of Shenliaoxilu was relatively serious. Mongolia, eastern Inner Mongolia, northwestern Jilin, and most of Liaoning were the main potential sources of PM2.5 in Shenyang during the winter.

Quantifying Turbidity Variation for Lakes in Daqing of Northeast China Using Landsat Images From 1984 to 2018

Water turbidity is an important proxy to measure water quality and environmental conditions. Based on extensive field data and Landsat data (2011–2018), this article developed a retrieval model suitable for turbidity. The determination coefficient ( R 2) of the model was 0.946 and the root-mean-square error was 23.82 NTU. The model was implemented to obtain the turbidity information of hundreds of lakes in Northeast China (1984–2018). The results revealed the distinctive spatial pattern of water turbidity values of the lakes (i.e., high turbidity in the south; low turbidity in the northwest; and moderate turbidity in the east). In terms of temporal pattern, the water turbidity values of most lakes trended downward at an average rate of 1.39 NTU/a ( P R = 0.56, P R P < 0.05). Water turbidity varies because of the interaction of multiple factors (e.g., area, temperature, water depth, precipitation, and land use) instead of one factor. This article highlights the potential of remote sensing in large-scale and long-term monitoring of lake water quality, and provides important information and support for water quality management in China.

Assessment of Reductions in Emission-driven Air Pollution during the Beijing Olympic Games, Shanghai World Expo, Guangzhou Asian Games and Wuhan COVID-19 Lockdown

Quantifying and comparing the effectiveness of different emission control strategies can provide insights for policy design and air quality management. In our previous work, we developed a wind-pollution decomposition (WPD) method that provides a robust tool to quantify meteorology-driven and emission-driven impacts on changes in air quality. In this study, we applied this method to quantify emission-driven impacts on the observed air quality changes during the three largest international socioeconomic mega-events in China, namely, Shanghai World Expo in 2010, Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, and Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010. We also applied the method to the air quality variation during the lockdown period in Wuhan due to COVID-19 and compared the emission-driven impacts on air quality among these events. The results quantitatively show that the emission-driven factor generally played a much stronger role (> 86%); the meteorology-driven factor promoted pollution mitigation during Wuhan, Beijing and Guangzhou events but worsened the air quality during Shanghai event. The emission-driven pollution reduction was largest in the Wuhan COVID-19 lockdown (64% NO2, 54% PM2.5 reductions), followed by Beijing Olympics (42% PM2.5, 31% NO2 reductions), The Wuhan COVID-19 impact on air quality improvement is not as effective as expected especially for O3, which implies the difficulty of air quality attainment under normal, non-lockdown daysComparison of these events show that shutdown or emission control measures applied to industries and power plants were generally benefit for PM2.5, SO2 and NO2 reduction, while those applied to on-road traffic control are less-effective for reducing NO2 and not works for the mean O3 reduction. The results imply that advanced control measures for vehicle exhaust and control strategies considering the interaction between O3 and NOx/VOC/PM are necessary. In addition, the ongoing supervision of control strategies implementation is one of the key issues for future air quality management in China.

Design and implementation of quality management system for cement enterprises

The process of intellectualization, information and refinemention of cement quality management in China develops slowly. This paper aims at this problem, Taking Zhonglian* Company as an example,on the basis of careful investigation and analysis of system functional requirements, based on the thought of modern quality management, it conducts an in-depth study of it, from the entry of cement raw materials to the finished cement products. The detailed design of the comprehensive quality management system laid the foundation for China’s transition from a large cement country to a strong cement country.

Experimental Study of the Influence of Natural Gas Constituents on CO Emission from Chinese Gas Cooker

In China, it has become a more common practice to introduce natural gases from different sources into the same distribution system to improve supply security and reliability. Variable gas constituents may cause a negative impact on the performance of domestic gas appliances. This paper aims to study the CO emission of a Chinese gas cooker under different constituents of natural gas. A typical Chinese gas cooker with two burners, each of which has a nominal heat input of 3.8 kW, was selected. One of the burners was modified to a forced-mixed mode to replace primary air injection. Within operational ranges corresponding to the permissible Wobbe index—namely, primary air coefficients and heat inputs—the equivalence between original gas and the CH4/C3H8/N2 three-component mixture in terms of CO emission was experimentally validated. Then, different three-component mixtures were input into the other unmodified burner, which operates under injected primary air, to investigate how the CO emission changed with different gas constituents. It was found that the CO emission of a natural gas and a CH4/C3H8/N2 three-component mixture, in terms of CO emission, were equivalent. The combination of the two indexes, W and PN, can describe the CO emission from a gas cooker accurately. By means of a three-component mixture, the empirical formula, which can correlate CO and the gas property parameters, was proposed. A set of equal-CO lines was revealed for a given initial primary air adjustment. Finally, a feasible approach to manage gas quality management in China was put forward, and the conclusion can help control the CO emission of gas cookers and improve indoor air quality.

Estimating ground-level CO concentrations across China based on the national monitoring network and MOPITT: potentially overlooked CO hotspots in the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract. Given its relatively long lifetime in the troposphere, carbon monoxide (CO) is commonly employed as a tracer for characterizing airborne pollutant distributions. The present study aims to estimate the spatiotemporal distributions of ground-level CO concentrations across China during 2013–2016. We refined the random-forest–spatiotemporal kriging (RF–STK) model to simulate the daily CO concentrations on a 0.1∘ grid based on the extensive CO monitoring data and the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere CO retrievals (MOPITT CO). The RF–STK model alleviated the negative effects of sampling bias and variance heterogeneity on the model training, with cross-validation R2 of 0.51 and 0.71 for predicting the daily and multiyear average CO concentrations, respectively. The national population-weighted average CO concentrations were predicted to be 0.99±0.30 mg m−3 (μ±σ) and showed decreasing trends over all regions of China at a rate of -0.021±0.004 mg m−3 yr−1. The CO pollution was more severe in North China (1.19±0.30 mg m−3), and the predicted patterns were generally consistent with MOPITT CO. The hotspots in the central Tibetan Plateau where the CO concentrations were underestimated by MOPITT CO were apparent in the RF–STK predictions. This comprehensive dataset of ground-level CO concentrations is valuable for air quality management in China.

Impact of air pollution control policies on future PM2.5 concentrations and their source contributions in China

To investigate the impact of air pollutant control policies on future PM2.5 concentrations and their source contributions in China, we developed four future scenarios for 2030 based on a 2013 emission inventory, and conducted air quality simulations for each scenario using the chemical transport model GEOS-Chem (version 9.1.3). Two energy scenarios i.e., current legislation (CLE) and with additional measures (WAM), were developed to project future energy consumption, reflecting, respectively, existing legislation and implementation status as of the end of 2012, and new energy-saving policies that would be released and enforced more stringently. Two end-of-pipe control strategies, i.e., current control technologies (until 2017) and more stringent control technologies (until 2030), were also developed. The combinations of energy scenarios and end-of-pipe control strategies constitute four emission scenarios (2017-CLE, 2030-CLE, 2017-WAM, and 2030-WAM) evaluated in simulations. PM2.5 concentrations at national level were estimated to be 57 μg/m3 in the base year 2013, and 58 μg/m3, 42 μg/m3, 42 μg/m3, and 30 μg/m3 under the 2017-CLE, 2030-CLE, 2017-WAM, and 2030-WAM scenarios in 2030, respectively. Large PM2.5 reductions between 2013 and 2030 were estimated for heavily polluted regions (Sichuan Basin, Middle Yangtze River, North China). The energy-saving policies show similar effects to the end-of-pipe emission control measures, but the relative importance of these two groups of policies varies in different regions. Absolute contributions to PM2.5 concentrations from most major sources declined from 2017-CLE to 2030-WAM. With respect to fractional contributions, most coal-burning sectors (including power plant, industrial and residential coal burning) increased from 2017-CLE to 2030-WAM, due to larger reductions from non-coal sources, including transportation and biomass open burning. Residential combustion and open burning had much lower fractional contribution to ambient PM2.5 concentrations in the 2017-WAM/2030-WAM compared to the 2017-CLE/2030-CLE scenarios. Fractional contributions from transportation were reduced dramatically in 2030-CLE and 2030-WAM compared to 2017-CLE/2017-WAM, due to the enforcement of stringent end-of-pipe emission controls. Across all scenarios, coal combustion remained the single largest contributor to PM2.5 concentrations in 2030. Reducing PM2.5 emissions from coal combustion remains a strategic priority for air quality management in China.

Multilevel Governance: Framing the Integration of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Policymaking

ABSTRACT Scholars embrace multilevel governance as an analytical framework for complex problems, such as climate change or water pollution. However, the elements needed to comprehensively operationalize multilevel governance remain undefined in the literature. This article describes the five necessary ingredients to a multilevel framework: sanctioning and coordinating authority, provision of capacity, knowledge co-production, framing of co-benefits, and engagement of civil society. The framework’s analytical utility is illustrated through two contrasting case examples—watershed management in the United States and air quality management in China. The framework balances local and central actors, which can promote a more effective governance regime.

Real-Time Estimation of Satellite-Derived PM2.5 Based on a Semi-Physical Geographically Weighted Regression Model.

The real-time estimation of ambient particulate matter with diameter no greater than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) is currently quite limited in China. A semi-physical geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was adopted to estimate PM2.5 mass concentrations at national scale using the Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aerosol Optical Depth product fused by the Dark Target (DT) and Deep Blue (DB) algorithms, combined with meteorological parameters. The fitting results could explain over 80% of the variability in the corresponding PM2.5 mass concentrations, and the estimation tends to overestimate when measurement is low and tends to underestimate when measurement is high. Based on World Health Organization standards, results indicate that most regions in China suffered severe PM2.5 pollution during winter. Seasonal average mass concentrations of PM2.5 predicted by the model indicate that residential regions, namely Jing-Jin-Ji Region and Central China, were faced with challenge from fine particles. Moreover, estimation deviation caused primarily by the spatially uneven distribution of monitoring sites and the changes of elevation in a relatively small region has been discussed. In summary, real-time PM2.5 was estimated effectively by the satellite-based semi-physical GWR model, and the results could provide reasonable references for assessing health impacts and offer guidance on air quality management in China.

Mercury Release to Aquatic Environments from Anthropogenic Sources in China from 2001 to 2012.

Based on an analysis of measured data and distribution factors, we developed the China Aquatic Mercury Release (CAMR) model, which we used to calculate an inventory of mercury (Hg) that was released to aquatic environments from primary anthropogenic sources in China. We estimated a total release of 98 tons of Hg in 2012, including coal-fired power plants (17%), nonferrous metal smelting (33%), coal mining and washing (25%), domestic sewage (17%), and other sectors (8.3%). The total primary anthropogenic Hg released to aquatic environments in China decreased at an annual average rate of 1.7% between 2001 and 2012, even though GDP grew at an annual average rate of 10% during this period. In addition to the Hg that was released to aquatic environments in China's provinces, we estimated the Hg release amounts and intensities (in g/km(2)·yr) for China's 58 secondary river basins. The highest aquatic Hg release intensities in China were associated with industrial wastewater on the North China Plain and domestic sewage in eastern China and southern China. We found that the overall uncertainty of our inventory ranges from -22% to 32%. We suggest that the inventory provided by this study can help establish a more accurate map of regional and global Hg cycling; it also has implications for water quality management in China.

BIM and Sustainability Education: Incorporating Instructional Needs into Curriculum Planning in CEM Programs Accredited by ACCE

Higher education ought to support the identification of training needs for industrial building information modelling (BIM) curriculum development and sustainability education in the fields of civil engineering and management (CEM). This paper proposes a framework based on a four-phase step-by-step quality function deployment (QFD) application for CEM curriculum planning and quality management. The framework attempts to respond to requests collected from 17 professionals and professors in order to integrate BIM into the higher education curriculum in China with a specific focus on construction management programs accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). The entropy method and a K1–K6 scale adapted from Bloom’s revised cognitive process were employed to evaluate the CEM curriculum in QFD. The proposed framework was successfully applied to CEM curriculum planning, which included two curriculums of the four main knowledge areas provided by the Chinese CEM guidelines: construction cost and flow construction. Two curriculum areas showed that content should focus on knowledge such as (a) Program evaluation and review technique(PERT) planning; (b) construction optimization in flow construction; (c) principles of bill of quantities and (d) construction consumption in construction costs. As for teaching quality management in China, the higher education curriculum should focus on three aspects to promote curriculum integration: (a) pedagogical design; (b) teaching resource and material and (c) curriculum assessment. This research sheds light on the pedagogical shift to a similar context that has established guidelines accredited by the ACCE, with respect to reviewing curriculum planning from a knowledge system perspective in order to meet industrial demands at the operational level.

Perspectives on policy framework for trans-boundary water quality management in China

ABSTRACTIn river basins that cross jurisdictional boundaries, water quality degradation has become a crucial problem and results in intensive competition among water users, especially in developing countries. Under this situation, implementing water quality management and control across jurisdictional boundaries can strengthen watershed pollution controls, and prevent pollution from being passed on and promote active pollution control within the related jurisdictional regions. This study examined the limitations of the current trans-boundary water quality management system in China and reviewed the planning and implementation of two pilot integrated trans-boundary water management systems established in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Based on our findings, we proposed a new policy framework for trans-boundary water quality management. As a first step toward integrated watershed management in China, this policy framework can help assess the actual water pollution status of various regions and serve as a basis for an integrated watershed management system. The framework can be easily applied in other countries with trans-boundary water pollution issues, particularly in the context of developing countries.

Imprecision Investigation and Analysis of Routine Chemistry in China.

This study aims to investigate the imprecision of internal quality control of routine chemistry analytes so that we can have an overall knowledge of imprecision level of measurement in laboratories in China. The internal quality control information including two kinds of coefficient of variations (CVs) of 22 analytes were collected via an on-line questionnaire. Then, the percentages of laboratories meeting the quality requirement for each analyte were calculated according to five imprecision criteria. Among these 22 analytes, creatine kinase got the most satisfied result, the percentages of laboratories whose current CV met 1/3 total allowable error (1/3TEa), 1/4TEa, and the specifications based on biological variation were 99.3%, 95.9%, 99.6%, 99.9%, and 90.6%, respectively, while Na got the lowest satisfaction rate according to these specifications, which were 4.15%, 22.4%, 4.2%, 9.0%, and 1.3%, respectively. From an overall perspective, most of the 22 analytes got a satisfied result when applying the criteria defined by CLIA'88, while only a small amount of laboratories can meet the requirement when applying the specifications derived from biological variation. There is huge space for us to enhance and substantial effort is needed in improving and implementing quality management in China.

An in-depth investigation on quality management practices in China

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to capture the up-to-date development of quality management (QM) programs in China’s manufacturing landscape. The study aims to gain understanding on the current state-of-the-art QM programs adopted by Chinese manufacturing companies. Furthermore, the study investigates the key drivers and organizational characteristics that may shape the decisions on QM program adoption.Design/methodology/approach– To gain a deep understanding of QM in China’s manufacturing landscape, in-depth interviews were conducted with production managers, quality managers, and/or executives of 12 manufacturing companies in four cities in China in May and June 2012. Each interview lasted about two hours and covered all aspects of QM in the business, including what quality programs are in place and why the business adopts and implements these programs. Grounded theory approach is used to conduct qualitative analysis on the interview transcripts using NVivo 9, a qualitative data analysis program.Findings– Two categories of QM programs adopted by Chinese companies emerged from the analysis, namely, QM systems and QM certifications. QM systems include Total Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma, and Lean. QM certification includes ISO 9000 series standard certificates, ISO 14000 certificate, OHSAS heath certificates, government regulatory certificates, and industry certificates. The authors found while Six Sigma and Lean adoption is related to parent company requirement, TQM adoption is related to internal quality improvement and control, quality assurance, leadership ideology, culture, and employee commitment. QM certification adoption is significantly related to external drivers. Regarding the effect of organizational characteristics, the study reveals that while corporate governance and ownership influence parent company requirements as an adoption driver, industry, product, and market segmentation influence industry requirements and government regulations as adoption drivers.Research limitations/implications– The findings and proposed conceptual framework are based on qualitative data collected from 12 companies in four cities in China, which may be limited to represent and reveal every aspect of QM programs adopted in Chinese manufacturing industries. The findings provide theoretical propositions that can be verified using a large sample set in future studies. In addition, although the study identified a variety of QM programs adopted, how these programs are implemented warrants further investigation.Practical implications– This study gives a status update and in-depth investigation on the development of QM programs adopted in Chinese manufacturing companies. How internal drivers, external drivers, and organizational characteristics shape companies’ decision on program adoption were explored. The study results provide implications not only for companies that are involved in supply chains with operations in China, but also for Chinese domestic companies competing in global markets to have QM systems in place to ensure quality performance.Originality/value– This study used multiple case study approach and grounded theory approach to conduct in-depth investigation on the current state of QM landscape in China’s manufacturing companies. It contributes to the body of knowledge on QM programs in China by uncovering the linkages between program adoption, key drivers, and organizational characteristics in an integrated framework.

Regional Air Quality Management in China: A Case Study in the Pearl River Delta

The current jurisdiction-based environmental management paradigm is deficient to address China's growing regional air pollution problems. Based on the foreign management experiences, the “1+N” regional air quality management mode with Chinese characteristics is proposed, which combines the bottom-up and top-down management features among superior and local governments, to cope with the regional air pollution. Several crucial principles are discussed accordingly. In the case study in Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Committee and the Center of Regional Atmospheric Science are carefully designed and are now serving as decision-making body and scientific support agency, respectively. The encouraging practice in the PRD region yields important hints for China's regional air pollution control policy making.

Groundwater quality Management in China

Groundwater quality Management in China

Regional air quality management in China: the 2010 Guideline on Strengthening Joint Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution

This paper examines a new initiative to build a region-based air quality management system in the People’s Republic of China, and identify its key features, significance and potential challenges. This Guideline on Strengthening Joint Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution to Improve Air Quality is a major new policy initiative developed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) and other ministries, and was endorsed by the State Council in May 2010. It was developed in part based on the experience of the Beijing Olympics, Shanghai Expo and Guangzhou Asian Games, which demonstrated that air pollution in China is regional and cannot be addressed by provinces acting individually. It is hoped that this new initiative could enable MEP to better encourage and coordinate air quality management and strengthen policy implementation especially at the local level. This paper concludes with policy implications and recommendations.

Water Quality Management in China

This paper analyzes water quality management in China in terms of legislation, institutions, and management instruments, and provides suggestions on improving the system. China has developed a separate, sectoral water quality management system where instruments including standards, function zones, permits, and charges are extensively applied. Nevertheless, problems such as lack of integrated frameworks, overlapping functions, focus on pollution control, poor implementation, and inadequate capacity limit its effectiveness. China should fully implement and reform the current system, restructure water quality management institutions, manage its water resources in a river basin context, and encourage market-based approaches.