Resources Science ›› 2021, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (1): 57-68.doi: 10.18402/resci.2021.01.05

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Spatial spillover effect and threshold characteristics of economic agglomeration on industrial wastewater discharge in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

ZHANG Fan1,2(), DENG Hongbing1(), PENG Yongzhang2   

  1. 1. School of Economics and Management, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 470074, China
    2. Economic Research Center for Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
  • Received:2019-12-30 Revised:2020-12-20 Online:2021-01-25 Published:2021-03-25
  • Contact: DENG Hongbing

Abstract:

Economic agglomeration can promote the regional economic development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, but also affect the environmental quality. In order to explore the impact of economic agglomeration on industrial wastewater discharge, based on the panel data of 110 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2003 to 2017, this study used exploratory spatial data analysis, spatial econometric model, and threshold regression model to investigate the spatial distribution and clustering of economic agglomeration and industrial wastewater discharge, and analyzed the spatial spillover effect of economic agglomeration on industrial wastewater discharge. The results show that: (1) There is a significant positive spatial autocorrelation among economic agglomeration, total amount and intensity of industrial wastewater discharge, and verified the threshold characteristics. The economic agglomeration and total industrial wastewater discharge of the Yangtze River Delta cities mostly show a high-high clustering, and the cities in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River form mostly low-low clusters, and maintain a relatively stable situation, while the clustering of industrial wastewater discharge intensity is different; (2) Economic agglomeration has obvious spatial spillover effect, and the direct and indirect effects of inhibiting industrial wastewater discharge are significant. Economic development level, population density, proportion of secondary industry, and traffic convenience have a positive impact on the total amount of industrial wastewater discharge. The impact of technological development level and openness on the total amount of industrial wastewater discharge is not significant, but have a restraining effect on the discharge intensity; (3) There is a single threshold for the impact of economic agglomeration on industrial wastewater discharge. When the economic agglomeration degree crosses the threshold, the inhibition of industrial wastewater discharge is weakened. Finally, it is suggested that the spatial factors and their unique characteristics should be paid attention to in the process of promoting economic agglomeration. In view of industrial wastewater emission reduction, we can simultaneously implement the regional targeted governance and cross-regional coordinated governance strategies and measures, and effectively promote the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Key words: economic agglomeration, industrial wastewater discharge, spatial spillover effect, threshold characteristics, spatial Durbin model, threshold regression model, Yangtze River Economic Belt