Spatiotemporal Analysis of Heavy Metal Water Pollution in Transitional China

Huixuan Li, Yingru Li, Ming-Kuo Lee, Zhongwei Liu and Changhong Miao
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Huixuan Li: Department of Geosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Yingru Li: Department of Sociology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
Ming-Kuo Lee: Department of Geosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Zhongwei Liu: Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705, USA
Changhong Miao: Key Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development & Collaborative Innovation Center on Yellow River Civilization of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China

Sustainability, 2015, vol. 7, issue 7, 1-21

Abstract: China’s socioeconomic transitions have dramatically accelerated its economic growth in last three decades, but also companioned with continuous environmental degradation. This study will advance the knowledge of heavy metal water pollution in China from a spatial–temporal perspective. Specifically, this study addressed the following: (1) spatial patterns of heavy metal water pollution levels were analyzed using data of prefecture-level cities from 2004 to 2011; and (2) spatial statistical methods were used to examine the underlying socioeconomic and physical factors behind water pollution including socioeconomic transitions (industrialization, urbanization, globalization and economic development), and environmental characteristic (natural resources, hydrology and vegetation coverage). The results show that only Cr pollution levels increased over the years. The individual pollution levels of the other four heavy metals, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb, declined. High heavy metal water pollution levels are closely associated with both anthropogenic activities and physical environments, in particular abundant mineral resources and industrialization prosperity. On the other hand, economic development and urbanization play important roles in controlling water pollution problems. The analytical findings will provide valuable information for policy-makers to initiate and adjust protocols and strategies for protecting water sources and controlling water pollution; thus improving the quality of living environments.

Keywords: heavy metals; water pollution; Geographic information system (GIS); China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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