The Monthly Variation Tendency of Microcystin-LR Levels in The Huangpu River (China) by Applications of ELISA and HPLC

In this study, the contents of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) of Microcystis aeruginosa cultures in the laboratory and natural water samples from the Huangpu River in different seasons were detected through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. Excellent correlation between the two methods was obtained (R2 > 0.99). ELISA was a reliable and simple method with high reproducibility (coefficient of variation < 25%) and satisfactory recovery for the monitoring of low levels of MC-LR. MC-LR concentrations in Huangpu River varied with the seasonal variation,which peaked in August with the temperature over 30°C and then gradually declined with the decreasing temperature after August. The highest MC-LR concentration in the Huangpu River was below the WHO drinking water quality standard (1 ug/L). These results indicated that warm temperature accelerated the MC-LR synthesis and release, and it is necessary to regularly monitor the MC-LR levels, especially during the high algae period in summer. ELISA can be applied to detect the low levels of MC-LR in the field without complex treatment, avoiding the samples from denaturation and degradation during the transportation. Hence, ELISA is a better alternative of HPLC when HPLC is unavailable, especially when rapid testing is required in routine MC-LR analysis.

Scenario-based economic and societal risk assessment of storm flooding in Shanghai

Purpose Quantitative and spatial-explicit flood risk information is of great importance for strengthening climate change adaptation and flood resilience. Shanghai is a coastal megacity at large estuary delta with rising flood risks. This study aims to quantify the overall economic-societal risks of storm flooding and their spatial patterns in Shanghai. Design/methodology/approach Based on multiple storm flood scenarios at different return periods, as well as fine-scale data sets including gridded GDP, gridded population and vector land-use, a probabilistic risk model incorporating geographic information system is used to assess the economic-societal risks of flooding and their spatial distributions. Findings Our results show that, from 1/200 to 1/5,000-year floods, the exposed assets will increase from USD 85.4bn to USD 657.6bn, and the direct economic losses will increase from USD 3.06bn to USD 52bn. The expected annual damage (EAD) of assets is around USD 84.36m. Hotpots of EAD are mainly distributed in the city center, the depressions along the upper Huangpu River in the southwest, the north coast of Hangzhou Bay, and the confluence of the Huangpu River and Yangtze River in the northeast. From 1/200 to 1/5,000-year floods, the exposed population will rise from 280 thousand to 2,420 thousand, and the estimated casualties will rise from 299 to 1,045. The expected annual casualties (EAC) are around 2.28. Hotspots of casualties are generally consistent with those of EAD. Originality/value In contrast to previous studies that focus on a single flood scenario or a particular type of flood exposure/risk in Shanghai, the findings contribute to an understanding of overall flood risks and their spatial patterns, which have significant implications for cost-benefit analysis of flood resilience strategies.

COWORKING SPACES IN CHINA: DEVELOPING A NEW STRATEGY OF REUSING INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE PROPERTIES UNDER SHARING ECONOMY

This paper investigates the spatial pattern and operating mechanism of coworking spaces based on existing practices in Shanghai with focus on the rising phenomenon of industrial heritage-based coworking spaces. The geographical distribution of the coworking clusters along the riverside of Huangpu River was analyzed refer to the abundant industrial properties remains, due to some historical reasons in modern history as well as local contribution in advancing creativity to support cultural-led regeneration. On the basis of the spatial analysis and value interpretation of those coworking spaces which retrofitted from industrial heritages, the paper proposes a conservative strategy in presenting the cultural and social value of the industrial heritages in coworking context, through the provision of underpinning urban identity and cultural meaning with contemporary social working style. To conclude, we discuss the applicability of the conservation-based strategy by highlighting its attributes in community base and corresponding advantages in cultivating conservation awareness grassrootly and innovatively in workplace, hoping to shed lights to further enhancement on exploring the urban philosophies under current governmental policies and political emphasis of sharing economy and urban renewal in China.

Investigation of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium (DNRA) Microbial Communities in Sediments of Urban River Network Along the Huangpu River, china

Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) is an essential intermediate step in the nitrogen cycle, linking the oxidation and reduction processes of nitrogen compounds. But the detailed research on the environmental nitrogen cycling in urban river networks based on DNRA communities and the functional gene nrfA is lacking. In this study, the flow line of the Huangpu River in Shanghai was analyzed using isotope tracer, quantitative real-time PCR, and high-throughput sequencing techniques to evaluate the role of DNRA on the stability of the river network and marine. The significant positive correlation between the rate of DNRA and sediment organic carbon was identified. At the genus level, Anaeromyxobacter is the most dominant. Notably, both heterotrophic and autotrophic DNRA species were discovered. This study added diversity to the scope of urban freshwater river network ecosystem studies by investigating the distribution of DNRA bacteria along the Huangpu River.

Shanghai’s Regenerated Industrial Waterfronts: Urban Lab for Sustainability Transitions?

In China, Shanghai often serves as a place to introduce and try out new ideas. This is certainly the case with experimental urban planning and design solutions and sustainability transitions. This article identifies and evaluates the role of pilot projects and demonstration zones along the Huangpu River. These clusters and zones are supposed to guide the urban regeneration of the former industrial waterfronts and to accelerate innovative development in Shanghai and the wider Yangtze Delta Region. The Huangpu River as a whole is considered an urban lab and a showcase of ecological civilisation policies, with a strong ‘people oriented’ focus on improving the overall quality and attractiveness of urban life. Following three decades of rapid urban expansion, Shanghai’s urban development model is shifting toward one that emphasizes densification and the reuse of existing elements. The motto of Shanghai’s latest master plan is “Striving for an Excellent Global City.” One of the pathways to realize this expectation is the creation of thematic clusters for creative industries, financial institutes, AI, and technology, media and telecommunication industries. These clusters are high-density investment projects meant to support and accelerate the transformation of Shanghai into a service economy. There are important similarities between these projects in Shanghai and the role of urban labs in theories of sustainability transitions. Drawing on these theories and those of ecological civilization, this article examines how these so-called ‘experimental’ urban megaprojects along the river contribute to Shanghai’s effort to take the lead in developing sustainable urban transitions.

Risk Assessment of Shanghai Extreme Flooding Under the Land Use Change Scenario

Environmental changes have led to non-stationary flood risks in coastal cities. How to quantitatively characterize the future change trend and effectively adapt is a frontier scientific problem that needs to be solved urgently. To this end, this study uses the 2010 Shanghai land use data as the base and uses the GeoSOS-FLUS model to simulate future land use change scenarios (2030, 2050, and 2100). Based on the results of storm and flood numerical simulations, probabilistic risk, and other multidisciplinary methods, extreme storm and flood risks of various land uses (residential land, commercial and public service land, industrial land, transportation land, agricultural land, and other land) in Shanghai are analyzed and 4 adaptation strategies to deal with extreme flooding have been developed. The research results show that: 1) Under the two emission scenarios, residential, commercial and public service, and industrial land have the highest exposure assets. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, the exposure of assets in 2100, 2050, and 2030 will be 1.7 times, 1.5 times, and 1.3 times that in 2010 for 1/1000-year, respectively; the losses will be 2.7 times, 2.0 times, and 1.8 times that in 2010, respectively. 2) The spatial pattern of loss, which forms the scattered distribution of 1/10-year, is mainly distributed on both sides of the Huangpu River. For 1/1000-year, which is mainly gradually showed a strip distribution, continuous distribution of the city center, and the Qingpu-Songjiang depression in the southwest are high-risk areas for storm floods. 3) The risks are mainly distributed in the city center, the lower reaches of the Huangpu River, the northern shore of Hangzhou Bay, the Qingpu-Songjiang depression in the southwest, and Chongming Island (southwest and northeast). Our work can provide decision-making basis for risk-sensitive based urban planning, flood risk adaptation, and resilience building in Shanghai. The methodology can also provide a reference for risk assessment in other coastal areas.