Abstract
Studies on the quality of groundwater have moved beyond the physical realm of contamination and purification, towards the economic concerns of choice and the management of the problem. With these approaches the complex biophysical processes are assessed from the users’ perspective and the policy outcomes that could be used to resolve the problems of groundwater contamination are evaluated. However, in a set of unrelated studies, it has been found that attempts by governments to resolve the problems of groundwater contamination in agriculture have a poor record of success. This could be because the problem is too extensive and diverse to handle or it could be a case of poor policy selection. Taking an example from the North China Plain to illustrate some of the major issues raised in this study, it is concluded that the problem itself is unresolvable on a large scale. In other words, groundwater contamination can be defined as a ‘wicked problem’, i.e. unresolvable by applying pure science, closely linked with social issues, and for which there are no optimal solutions. In this situation, the best solution is possibly to encourage farmers to live with and handle the problem as they best see fit.
Résumé
Les études concernant la qualité des eaux souterraines se sont déplacées du domaine de la physique de la contamination et de la purification vers des considérations économiques du choix et de la gestion du problème. Ainsi, les processus complexes biophysiques sont évalués selon les éléments contextuels des utilisateurs et de la réglementation, qui peuvent être utilisés pour résoudre les problèmes de la contamination des eaux souterraines. Cependant, il en ressort suite à l’analyse d’un ensemble d’études indépendantes les unes des autres, que les tentatives gouvernementales pour résoudre des problèmes de contamination des eaux souterraines par l’activité agricole ne se soldent que par un faible taux de succès. Cela pourrait être dû au fait que le problème est vaste et varié, difficile à gérer ou que la réglementation fait défaut ou inadéquate. L’exemple de la plaine du Nord de la Chine a été sélectionné afin d’illustrer l’essentiel des problématiques mises en évidence dans le cadre de cette étude ; le problème de la contamination des eaux souterraines est difficilement solvable à une large échelle. En d’autres termes, la contamination des eaux souterraines peut être définie comme un problème pernicieux, c′est-à-dire non solvable en ayant recours à une approche uniquement scientifique, étroitement liée à des questions sociales et pour lesquelles il n’y a de solutions optimales. Dans ce cas, la meilleure solution est d’encourager si possible les agriculteurs à vivre avec et de gérer le problème de la manière qu’ils jugent la meilleure.
Resumen
Los estudios sobre la calidad de agua subterránea se han pasado más allá del dominio físico de la contaminación y la purificación hacia las preocupaciones económicas de la elección y gestión del problema. Con estas aproximaciones se evalúan los complejos procesos biofísicos a partir de las perspectivas de los usuarios y de los resultados del manejo que podrían ser utilizados para resolver los problemas de contaminación del agua subterránea. Sin embargo, en un conjunto de estudios no relacionados, se encontró que los intentos de los gobiernos para resolver los problemas de contaminación del agua subterránea en agricultura tiene un registro pobre de éxitos. Esto podría ser debido a que el problema es demasiado extenso y diverso para manejarlo o podría ser el caso de una selección de un pobre manejo. Tomando el ejemplo de la Planicie del Norte de China para ilustrar alguno de los temas principales planteados en este estudio, se concluyó que el problema en si mismo es irresoluble en una gran escala. En otras palabras, la contaminación del agua subterránea puede ser definida como un “problema enmarañado”, por ejemplo irresoluble aplicando ciencia pura, estrechamente vinculado a temas sociales, y para el cual no existen soluciones óptimas. En esta situación la mejor solución es posiblemente para alentar a los agricultores para vivir con el problema y manejarlo tal como ellos consideren la mejor manera de hacerlo.
摘要
通过经济与制度手段遏制地下水污染是当前地下水水质研究的趋势。地下水水质的研究已逐渐突破了传统的技术科学范畴,开始与经济学和社会学等学科交叉。在此背景下,一些研究正在从用水户的角度对以农业对地下水污染的复杂的生物物理过程为基础的治污政策进行评价。一系列研究表明,政府针对农业灌溉对地下水污染的措施大多未能达到预期效果,其原因或是因为农业灌溉对地下水污染问题的复杂性、广泛性以及多元性或是因为不良的政策选择。本文以中国华北平原为例,阐述农业灌溉对地下水污染在流域或区域尺度上是非结构化的复杂性问题。该问题与社会学问题类似,难以采用纯技术科学的方法予以解决,需要广大农业用水户适应这些问题,并以他们认为最合适的方式面对这些问题。
Resumo
Estudos referentes à qualidade das águas subterrâneas ultrapassaram o reino físico de contaminação e purificação, para passarem a integrar aspetos relacionados com a componente económica e com a gestão do problema. Sob este enfoque, os processos biofísicos complexos são avaliados a partir da perspetiva dos utilizadores e os resultados das políticas decorrentes para a resolução dos problemas de contaminação das águas subterrâneas são avaliados. No entanto, num conjunto de estudos independentes, verificou-se que as tentativas dos governos para resolverem os problemas de contaminação de origem agrícola das águas subterrâneas resultaram maioritariamente em insucessos. Tal pode dever-se à vastidão e diversificação dos problemas com que se tem de lidar ou pode ser o resultado de uma má seleção de políticas. Usando como exemplo a Planície do Norte da China para ilustrar algumas das principais questões levantadas neste estudo, conclui-se que o problema em si é, em larga escala, insolúvel. Por outras palavras, a contaminação das águas subterrâneas pode ser definida como um “problema intricado”, ou seja, insolúvel pela aplicação da ciência pura, intimamente ligado com questões sociais, e para o qual não existem soluções óptimas. Nesta situação, a melhor solução é, possivelmente, encorajar os agricultores a viver e a lidar com este problema como acharem mais adequado.
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Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. The authors would like to thank Prof. Deli Chen, Prof. Robert White and Prof. Hector Malano, all at the University of Melbourne, and two anonymous reviewers for the many helpful comments and suggestions. All remaining errors are the sole responsibility of the authors.
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Davidson, B., Wei, Y.P. Assessing the ‘wicked problems’ associated with the quality of groundwater used in irrigation: a case study from the North China Plain. Hydrogeol J 20, 973–984 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-011-0811-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-011-0811-5