Environmental Assessment and Restoration of the Hunjiang River Basin Based on the DPSIR Framework

Shiyu Tang, Hao Yang and Yu Li ()
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Shiyu Tang: Ecological Civilization Research Center, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Hao Yang: MOE Key Laboratory of Resources Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Yu Li: MOE Key Laboratory of Resources Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-15

Abstract: The Hunjiang River, a vital water system in northeastern China, has suffered severe ecological damage due to overexploitation. This study analyzes the basin’s environmental conditions from 2016 to 2020, identifies key restoration factors, and examines practical restoration projects. Investigating five major pollutants (permanganate index, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand, ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus) in eight sections, the study finds the Xicun section most polluted, mainly from Baishan City’s industrial and domestic discharges. The ammonia nitrogen concentration at the Zian section also shows deterioration. Using a DPSIR (Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impacts, Responses) framework, the study elucidates the relationship between environmental and socio-economic issues. Results indicate that population changes, industrial development, and water resource management have complex ecological impacts. Evaluating the urban water resource carrying capacity with the entropy weight method and correlation coefficient weighting method, the study finds that increasing forest coverage, improving wastewater treatment efficiency, and reducing COD emissions are crucial. Quantitative assessment of integrated protection and restoration projects involving mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands demonstrates their positive impact. This research reveals the interplay between the ecological environment and social factors, proposes practical restoration measures, and clarifies project effects, providing reliable decision-making schemes for policymakers.

Keywords: Hunjiang River Basin; DPSIR framework; water resource carrying capacity; ecological environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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