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Under the current subsidy of China, the dismantle capacity of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has expanded dramatically contrary to a weak investment in green technologies for deep processing. Green technology investment plays a critical role in promoting the recycling rate or the purification degree of the recycled materials, thus benefiting to resources recovery and the establishment of an environmental-friendly society. This study firstly modeled the policy impact of the current subsidy mode and varied subsidy values using decision-making models contingent on maximized project net present values (NPV). The results showed that, under bounded capital, the decision time interval and the improved technology degree are positively correlated with the green technology investment, while the technology achievement time and green technology investment cost correlate with it negatively. Meanwhile, it was found that in certain conditions the current subsidy mode and a lifted subsidy value can impede WEEE processing enterprises' green technology investment. To promote the green technology investment, three reformed subsidy modes with varied threshold settings are proposed. Their impacts on green technology investment are analyzed using decision-making models contingent on NPV and the static game-theoretic model. All of the proposed reformed subsidy modes can promote the green technology investment. Moreover, the associated threshold setting (the third reformed subsidy) performs better in terms of accommodation of fiscal deficits and fairness regarding assignment of subsidy. Lastly, this paper took the treatment of refrigerator and washing machine in China as case studies for a numerical analysis that delivered visible results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury is one of the most concerned hazardous elements in coals. 1018 coal samples of different coal-forming periods, coal-accumulating areas and coal ranks all over the country were collected to study the distributions of mercury in Chinese coals. The modes of occurrence of mercury were studied with float-sink experiments of 10 coals from different basins in China and correlation analyses were conducted between concentrations of mercury and maceral and sulfur contents, as well as the ash yield. The theoretic concentrations and affinities of mercury in vitrinite, inertinite, clay and pyrite were then calculated following the methods proposed by Solari. The weighted average concentration of mercury in Chinese coals is 0.154 µg/g, which is similar to that in the word coals in general. The mercury concentrations vary largely in the coals of different coal-forming period and coal-accumulating areas as geological settings play key roles in determining the geochemistry of mercury. The concentrations of mercury in coals from south and southwest China and those from North China of C-P are relatively higher while those from North China of J and Northeast of J-K relatively lower. The general distribution trends of mercury are very similar to that of ash yield, sulfur contents in coals. Pyrite is the dominant carrier of mercury in most coals, especially in some high-sulfur coals with abundant epigenetic pyrite formed during diagenesis and metamorphism. Mercury has higher affinity to vitrinite than to inertinite in most coals, which accords with the geological origin of macerals and geochemistry of mercury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hani Rice Terraces System, based on gravity-flow irrigation, is one of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) pilot sites selected by FAO in 2010. The water resource plays an important role in the sustainable development of this system. The value of water conserved by the forest is influenced by natural, economic and social factors. In this paper, the water quality, per capita water resources, per capita GDP and population density are chosen as indices to construct an index system for a comprehensive evaluation of water resources value. The weights of these indices are 0.443, 0.31, 0.141 and 0.106 respectively, which are determined by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. The water resources value has been assessed by the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model. The results show that the water resources value in the Hani Rice Terraces System is 4.25 RMB/m. Evaluating the value of water resources in the Hani Rice Terraces System can provide a reference for ecological compensation, for raising public awareness of the importance of protecting the system, and ultimately achieving its sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poyang Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary includes Bang Lake, Sha Lake, Dahu Lake, and estuaries of the Xiu and Gan Rivers in the Migratory Bird Natural Reserve. Water samples were collected and analyzed to study spatial and temporal water quality variation. Strong seasonal variation of water quality was found. The water quality of Bang Lake was relatively poor compared to Sha and Dahu Lakes in the wet season, but better in the normal season. During the dry season, the water quality of Bang Lake is negatively affected by the activity of migratory birds. According to the correlation analysis of monthly concentrations of each parameter, the concentrations of COD, NH-N, and NO-N were highly correlated. The correlation index was 0.829 and significance index was 0.042 < 0.05. From north to south within Bang Lake, the concentration of TN decreased; however, the concentration of Chl-a increased. From east to west within Bang Lake, concentrations of COD, NH-N, NO-N, and Chl-a increased. The Xiu and Gan Rivers influence the water quality of Bang Lake, especially in the northeast area of the lake. The water quality of Bang Lake only reached Chinese water quality standard level IV or V according to a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The evaluation factors impacting Bang Lake are TN>TP>NH-N>COD, in order of decreasing importance. The waters of Poyang Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary have been polluted; one of the important contributing factors was migratory birds' disturbance and feces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]