Mr. Lee, 42 , fisherman since 1993, fishes on the waters adjacent to Kingboard (Panyu Nansha) Petrochemical Company Limited. http://water.greenpeace.org.cn The Pearl River Delta, the the world's factory floor of a million products. On the basis of analysis of the water environment status and pollution sources, it is suggested that domestic sewage is the primary cause of pollution. We encourage you to republish China Dialogue articles, online or in print, under the Creative Commons license. The Pearl River Delta region (PRD) is the economic growth engine of China and also one of the most urbanized regions in the world. Effluence flowing from manufacturing processes often flows into the Pearl River contaminating it with harmful chemicals. China Dialogue - chinadialogue is an independent organisation dedicated to promoting a common understanding of China’s urgent environmental challenges. I suggest that the main reasons for this limited cooperation are: the dependence of the EPBs on funding from local governments; the unwillingness of local governments of poorer upstream provinces to invest in joint efforts to reduce pollution; the inability of Guangdong province to oblige upstream provinces to act, because of the hierarchical rank structure of the respective governments; the unwillingness of Guangdong, though a rich province, to bear the burden of the costs of regional cooperation; and the efforts of Guangdong, as well as other provinces, to shift the responsibility for funding on to the central government. Local fishing boats moored by the Kingboard (Panyu Nansha) Petrochemical Limited outflow pipe which discharges waste into the adjacent waterway. She is unaware of the chemicals Kingboard is manufacturing or discharging. Search. Members of the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) declared their willingness to cooperate in water pollution abatement and sustainable development. The village is located directly adjacent to the Kingboard Industrial park. Environmental Pollution of the Pearl River Estuary, China: Status and Impact of Contaminants in a Rapidly Developing Region January 2020 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-61834-9 General China background – China Pollution before we get into the PRD. But five years on, did this approach really represent a new horizon for managing transboundary rivers in China? Pearl River Estuary Hong Kong is situated at the mouth of the Pearl River and we have witnessed the most rapid economic development in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in the past years. He says that 60 or 70 years ago he could drink the river water but now the water is so bad the fish taste of alkaline. Hormone disrupting alkyl phenols, priority hazardous chemicals under EU legislation, were found in samples of wastewater discharge from the facility. Wastewater is discharged from Top Dragon via an underground channel which flows into a nearby stream approximately 100 metres from the facility. Members of the Pan-Pearl River Delta declared their willingness to cooperate in water pollution abatement and sustainable development. Extreme meteorological events (EMEs), including heat wave (HW), atmospheric stagnation (AS), and temperature inversion (TI), exert significant impacts on O3. There have been some impressive results in terms of joint environmental education and awareness-raising projects, but there has still not been any successful environmental cooperation in terms of joint, active steps to reduce or abate water pollution along the river. Draw an outline map of the PRD with the major cities on it; Locate the answers to these questions – you will have to plot 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 + 10 from the list below onto the map . 1. If you are a social media user, then we are able to do this through a pixel provided by Facebook, which allows Facebook to place cookies on your web browser. Sign up. Looking at China’s institutional structure, it is clear that there are many factors that reduce local government incentives to invest in environmental protection. Reut Barak is a PhD candidate at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. which flows into a nearby stream approximately 100 metres from the facility. Industrial facilities are responsible for water pollution in the Pearl River Delta Region. Wastewater is discharged from Top Dragon via an underground channel. A family lives next to the Qingyuan Top Dragon Textile company which discharges chemicals into the area's waters. Some industry from the Pearl River Delta is planning to relocate to the upper stream and mountain area. Central government evaluates and promotes local government officials according to their ability to show a high level of economic growth in the area under their jurisdiction. The 14th Five Year Plan: what ideas are on the table. Some physicochemical parameters were determined for thirty field water samples collected from different water channels in the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone river system. The vegetables produced from this village are considered toxic by the local consumers and therefore the farmers have a hard time selling their produce. Although not severely polluted when compared with some of the other river basins in China, pollution in the Pearl River will grow with further industrial transfer and investment, which is directed towards the poorer, upstream provinces of the Pearl River (Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan and Jiangxi). Rapid economic development and urbanization have caused severe pollution from PM2.5 in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of China. Mr.Cheng shows the outflow pipe from the Qingyuan Top Dragon Textile company. Currently, model estimates of the riverine plastic inputs to the global oceans based on the concept of Mismanaged Plastic Waste (MPW) varied substantially, and no field measurements of riverine inputs were available. Please read our republishing guidelines to get started. The Pearl River Delta (PRD) is one of the most developed regions in China. Greenpeace collected and analysed 25 samples of waste water discharges and sediments from five industrial sites located throughout the Pearl River Delta region. This suggested a new path for environmental resource management in China. Hormone disrupting alkyl phenols, priority hazardous chemicals under EU legislation, were found in samples of wastewater discharge from the facility. Reut Barak ([email protected]) is a PhD candidate at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.Â. One of the major problems in the region is the sustainable utilization of the water resources. A farmer works on her land next to a pulp and paper mill. Cloudflare - Cloudflare is a service used for the purposes of increasing the security and performance of web sites and services. Introduction. Hormone disrupting alkyl phenols, priority hazardous chemicals under EU legislation, were found in samples of wastewater discharge from the facility. Thus, the existing governance structure in China limits even this bottom-up initiative for environmental cooperation. A large portion of the pollution is brought about by factories run by Hong Kong manufacturers in the area. Existing economic interdependencies between the provinces and their platform of cooperation – the PPRD economic development agreement – have allowed the promotion of cooperation in environmental protection in the region. The annual riverine input of MPs from the Pearl River Delta was estimated at 39 billion particles or 66 tons, which converts to 2400–3800 tons of plastic debris based on calculations described in Text S2. A Greenpeace campaigner examines the upper stream of the North River. China’s upward-accountability governance system also means that public pressure from below rarely forces local government officials to protect the environment or safeguard public health. We use this information to improve our sites and report on the reach of our content. On the basis of analysis of the water environment status and pollution sources, it is suggested that domestic sewage is the primary cause of pollution. Since 2004, these provinces and regions have taken part in mutual investment, industrial transfer, labour mobility projects and trade promotion, activities that have successfully promoted economic growth in the region (see Figure 1). In part due to sparse observations, the dispersion/transport mechanisms that lead to PM 2.5 pollution over the PRD region are not yet fully understood, and the potential … Greenpeace collected and analysed 25 samples of waste water discharges and sediments from five industrial sites located throughout the Pearl River Delta region. And even if Guangzhou would make its water crystal clear, it would not make any difference in cities upstream. Moreover, China’s process of decentralisation has created fierce competition between localities for resources, investment and market shares of products. To control the water pollution in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), a series of measures have been enacted in recent years. Pearl River Delta and Pollution. Ms. Ho, age 45, has lived in the Huang Wen Yuan Cun village for 19 years and remembers fish in abundance and clean water for irrigation from the local stream. Pearl River Estuary. These values were substantially below the MPW-based model estimates (91,000-170,000 tons). China Dialogue is an independent organisation dedicated to promoting a common understanding of China’s urgent environmental challenges. The vegetables produced from this village are considered toxic by the local consumers and therefore the farmers have a hard time selling their produce. Continued overlooking of pollution in PRD will finally bring factories in PRD to their knees and may weaken greatly China’s economic capability. Note that you may see cookies placed by Google for advertising, including the opt out cookie, under the Google.com or DoubleClick.net domains. A tributary flowing through the city of Shenzhen, is highly contaminated by industrial discharge. A farmer uses the river next to Kingboard Industrial park to water her crops. The annual riverine input of MPs from the Pearl River Delta was estimated at 39 billion particles or 66 tons, which converts to 2400-3800 tons of plastic debris based on calculations described in Text S2. Pulp and Paper industry is one of the biggest waste water discharge polluters in the China. Now she describes the river as black acrid smelling water. 0:39. Years of pollution turned the Pearl River and its tributaries into dark and stinking sewers. Although 86% of the Chinese population reside by and depend on transboundary rivers, such as the Pearl River, there is little sustainable management of these water resources. Facebook Inc. - Facebook is an online social networking service. Surface freshwater & seawater are both important for the PRD, which drives 9.1% of China’s GDP The Pearl River Delta Economic Zone is the most dynamic economic area in South China. A diverse range of hazardous chemicals were found, including high levels of heavy metals such as beryllium, copper and manganese. Rapid industrialization coupled with dense population has in a great way lead to environmental pollution in Pearl River Delta. Read Google's privacy policy and terms of service. impacts of PM10 on human health and the economy in the Pearl River Delta, that airborne particulate pollution has had a severe negative influence on people’s health, with the three cities of Guangzhou, Foshan and Dongguan worst affected. At the close of the 20th century, Hong Kong was the undisputed economic powerhouse of the region. Required Cookies should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Fine particle (PM 2.5) pollution is of concern for the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, particularly during the dry season (October to March), when the PM 2.5 concentrations can exceed Chinese national standards. To understand the complexity of this situation, we must consider the institutional structure in which local governments and environmental protection bureaus (EPBs) operate. Domestic sewerage has also contributed further to the pollution of the river. The PPRD comprises the provinces and administrative regions of Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Hong Kong and Macao. In January 2018, stagnant winds caused pollution to accumulate over the Pearl River Delta, leading the local authorities to encourage people to stay indoors to avoid serious health effects. One indication of this problem is that compliance with central government requirements on treatment of domestic waste-water is less than 20% in most of China’s cities. Pollution in the Pearl River cannot be blamed entirely on Guangzhou. Draw an outline map of the PRD with the major cities on it; Locate the answers to these questions – you will have to plot 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 + 10 from the list below onto the map . Pearl River Delta and Pollution. One of the major problems in the region is the sustainable utilization of the water resources. This will pose a huge threat to this area of natural beauty. Wastewater is discharged from Top Dragon via an underground channel which flows into a nearby stream approximately 100 metres from the facility. pharmaceutical pollution. The explosive growth the Pearl River Delta has upended the regional balance of power. Report. It allows us to recognise you when you return to China Dialogue and helps us to understand which sections of the website you find useful. ABSTRACTThe Guangdong and Hong Kong governments have collaboratively established the first Pearl River Delta regional air quality monitoring network (“PRD RAQMN”) since November 2005 which represented the first joint air quality monitoring of the regional air pollution and reporting efforts at a rapidly developed and heavy-polluted area in the southern China. Heavy smog has been smothering the Pearl River Delta for the past week, with air pollution readings in the region hitting their highest levels of the year. Most importantly, the local branches of the MEP, the EPBs, depend on local governments for funding. China Dialogue uses several functional cookies to collect anonymous information such as the number of site visitors and the most popular pages. A unique agreement in south China could have provided a model for cooperation between provinces, writes Reut Barak. Watch fullscreen. An outflow pipe discharges waste from the Kingboard (Panyu Nansha) Petrochemical Company Limited facility. These values were substantially below the MPW-based model estimates (91,000-170,000 tons). In fact, just prior to the handover from the United Kingdom to China, the city’s economic output was equal to a quarter of China’s entire GDP. Most of the cities in the delta contribute to the problem. First, environmental protection efforts should be included in the evaluation of local government officials, to enhance their incentives to invest in environmental protection programmes. An outflow pipe from a Pulp and Paper facility in the Pearl River Delta Region. Resident farmers are concerned about the pollution found in the nearby streams discharging from the factory. The vegetables produced from this village are considered toxic by the local consumers and therefore the farmers have a hard time selling their produce. The facility creates products such as chemical product workshops, electricity supply workshops, and chemical ports. The river shows no sign of life. He estimates that total economic losses from air pollution … With upwards of 100 million people living along the Pearl River Delta, it is one of the largest urban areas in the world. The efficacy of these measures on water quality improvement is, however, currently unknown. Resident farmers are concerned about the pollution found in the nearby streams discharging from the factory. China’s rapid economic growth has brought not only a rise in living standards, but also serious environmental pollution, which has continued despite greater central government funding for environmental protection and the promotion of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) to the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP). However in 2004, a group of 11 provinces and administrative regions along the Pearl River Basin, in southern China, joined together in a unique, bottom-up initiative. The facility creates products such as chemical product workshops, electricity supply workshops, and chemical ports. China’s government has a multi-levelled structure, with the central government in Beijing as the highest level in the chain of command. FIGURE 9-2 Total population, Pearl River Delta, 1970–1994. China Dialogue uses cookies to give you the best experience on our website. The Pulp and Paper industry is one of the biggest waste water discharge polluters in the China. Thus, local government officials are often unwilling to invest in environmental protection projects, which may conflict with advancing growth. Greenpeace campaigner, Chung Ping Wong, takes a wastewater sample directly from the outflow pipe of the Qingyuan Top Dragon Textile company. He discovered the pipe because of the acrid smell and black foam blowing into his house. The annual riverine input of MPs from the Pearl River Delta was estimated at 39 billion particles or 66 tons, which converts to 2400-3800 tons of plastic debris based on calculations described in Text S2. Hence, they have great difficulty in managing shared resources. Greenpeace collected and analysed 25 samples of waste water discharges and sediments from five industrial sites located throughout the Pearl River Delta region. Read our privacy policy. As a two-sided sword, rapid economic development causes air pollution and poses adverse health effects to the citizens in this area. Get a weekly email featuring the pick of our articles, a digest of environmental stories from China, occasional news on events we host and our annual readership survey. This will pose a huge threat to this area of natural beauty. 6 years ago | 9 views. The Pulp and Paper industry is one of the biggest waste water discharge polluters in the China. It is estimated that more than 80% of China’s coastal water and about 70% of its rivers and lakes are polluted with industrial waste, raw sewage and agricultural run-off. Provincial governments hold the same bureaucratic rank as central ministries. River water quality and pollution sources in the Pearl River Delta, China. However in 2004, a group of 11 provinces and administrative regions along the Pearl River Basin, in southern China, joined together in a unique, bottom-up initiative. Therefore, when local governments are not willing to invest in environmental protection, the work of the EPBs can be severely constrained. The vegetables produced from this village are considered toxic by the local consumers and therefore the farmers have a hard time selling their produce. Smog coming from the manufacturing industries in the area has lead to air pollution, which has led to severe negative effects on animal and human health. SOURCES: Selected Statistical Yearbooks for subregions of Pearl River Delta, 1970–1995. The Pearl River Delta is notoriously polluted, with sewage and industrial waste treatment facilities failing to keep pace with the growth in population and industry in the area. The Pearl River Delta Economic Zone is the most dynamic economic area in South China. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. How can this be explained? DOI: 10.5772/17958 The Pearl River Delta has become one of the leading economic regions and a major manufacturing centre of China. NOTE: Total population includes only persons registered in the Pearl River Delta and excludes the floating population registered in other places. But institutional issues have impeded joint action. Each government official is appointed and promoted by an official higher in the command structure and is thus accountable mainly to that person. Qingyuan Top Dragon Textile company discharges chemicals into the area's waters. The Pearl River Delta has become one of the leading economic regions and a major manufacturing center of China. Tingping Ouyang,* w Zhaoyu Zhu and Yaoqiu Kuang. Pearl River Delta Pollution. The project aimed to reduce water pollution in the Pearl River system originating from these two municipalities through a package of key initiatives, including wastewater treatment and sludge disposal, water quality monitoring, sediment removal from waterways, and flood protection and river embankment improvements. Pearl River Delta and Pollution. ABSTRACT Along with rapid economic development in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of China for the past two decades, ozone (O3) pollution has deteriorated significantly. The annual riverine input of MPs from the Pearl River Delta was estimated at 39 billion particles or 66 tons, which converts to 2400−3800 tons of plastic debris based on calculations described in Text S2. However, under the existing structure there are some steps which could be taken to promote environmental cooperation and improve sustainable management of environmental resources in China. Rapid industrialization coupled with dense population has in a great way lead to environmental pollution in Pearl River Delta. A diverse range of hazardous chemicals were found, including high levels of heavy metals such as beryllium, copper and manganese. Resident farmers are concerned about the pollution found in the nearby streams discharging from the factory. Nonetheless, increasing pollution load arising from developments and human activities have inevitably posed increasing pressure on the water environment. 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