Top Science Organ Sets up Environment Center

China's top research body, the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Monday set up the Institute of the Earth Environment in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, endeavoring to make it a world-leading academic center for research on the earth's environment.

Originating from the Xi'an Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, the institute will focus on vital scientific problems facing the existence and development of human beings. Research is being carried out into the spatial and temporal evolution and mechanisms of the East Asian continental system at global and regional levels.

At the opening ceremony, Lu Yongxiang, the CAS president, said that ecological and environmental research is a key issue for the development of west China region.

The institute should make further contributions to the westward development, Lu said.

He urged the institute to become a prestigious worldwide leader in the field.

Cheng Andong, governor of Shaanxi Province, said that the establishment of the national research body is very useful for the sustained development of the province, which is now economically-underdeveloped.

Researchers in the institute have provided well-advised suggestions to the province, Cheng said.

An Zhisheng, director of the institute, said that his institute will aim at academic frontiers in the field.

Specialized research of the institute involves radiocarbon, thermoluminescence and optical dating; dendrochronology and dendroclimatology; stable isotope geochemistry; environmental magnetism; pollen analysis and paleoecology; and sediment analysis.






People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/