Improved simulation-optimization approach for identifying critical and developable pollution source regions and critical migration processes for pollutant load allocation

Ying Su; Keqiang Li; Shengkang Liang; Shan Lu; Yan Wang; Aiquan Dai; Yanbin Li; Dongsheng Ding; Xiulin Wang

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.326

Improved simulation-optimization approach for identifying critical and developable pollution source regions and critical migration processes for pollutant load allocation

Sci Total Environ. 2019 Jan 1:646:1336-1348. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.326. Epub 2018 Jul 24.

Authors

Ying Su¹, Keqiang Li², Shengkang Liang³, Shan Lu⁴, Yan Wang⁵, Aiquan Dai⁶, Yanbin Li³, Dongsheng Ding⁴, Xiulin Wang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266100, China; Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
² Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266100, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China. Electronic address: likeqiang@ouc.edu.cn.
³ Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266100, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China.
⁴ Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Resources and Eco-Environment, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China.
⁵ Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266100, China.
⁶ Qingdao Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China.

PMID: 30235619
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.326

Abstract

Simulation-optimization approaches are widely used in land-based pollutant load allocation and management. However, existing simulation-optimization approaches do not optimize the entire pathway of pollution (i.e., generation, transportation, and emission). Thus, the selected allocated load scheme and its reduction management are incomplete and non-optimal in supporting effective reduction measures to set in further. This study aims to establish a simulation-optimization load allocation approach covering the entire pathway of pollution and construct separate allocated loads for each migration process. By comparing the allocated loads to the actual pollutant loads, the critical and developable pollution source regions (CPSRs and DPSRs) and the critical pollution migration processes (CPMPs) are identified, and specific pollution management indicators are established for each pollution source region. This approach is applied to the Bohai Rim, which is currently a major economic development center with a most seriously deteriorating sea area in China. The CPSRs, DPSRs, and CPMPs for total nitrogen are identified, and comparisons of the management indicators with existing approaches are made. Water quality under the allocated load emissions is simulated via a simulation water quality model and compared with that of the actual pollutant loads. Quantitative results indicate that the new approach combines the specific mitigation indicators for each CPSR and CPMP when allowing the extra generation of allocated loads for DPRSs while keeping the water quality of the Bohai Sea under control.

Keywords: Critical pollution migration process; Critical pollution source region; Developable pollution source region; Land-based pollutant load allocation; Pollutant management indicator; The Bohai Rim.