Estimation of Human Diet-Derived Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loads on the Water and Soil Environment with Rapid Urbanization in Shanghai

LIU Chen

doi:10.11353/sesj.26.421

Regional material flows are strongly influenced by human diets. This paper aims to estimate quantitatively the nitrogen and phosphorus (N&P) loads on the water and soil environment contributed by the diet of the citizens in Shanghai, and also to suggest future trends. A questionnaire / interview survey was conducted for 450 adults over 18 years old in 3 representative areas of Shanghai. The lifestyle (eating habits, domestic sanitation, drainage facilities, etc.) patterns with rapid urbanization were determined and the potential N&P loads from human diets on the environment were calculated. The daily potential N&P loads from human diets were 19.36 g-N, 1.80 g-P in the central district, 16.48 g-N, 1.52 g-P in the new district, and 13.04 g-N, 1.20 g-P in the suburban / rural area of Shanghai. Respondents in all three areas, especially those in the suburban / rural area reported a preference for increasing the intake of animal-derived as well as processed foods, which means that the potential N&P load from human diets on the environment will increase further. As the causes of the problems of the water environment are shifting towards urban lifestyle issues, environment-friendly eating habits and improvements in environmental awareness will be required.

Estimation of Human Diet-Derived Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loads on the Water and Soil Environment with Rapid Urbanization in Shanghai

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