Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from municipal wastewater treatment in China

Yindong Tong; Xiawei Liao; Yanying He; Xiaomei Cui; Marcus Wishart; Feng Zhao; Yulian Liao; Yingxin Zhao; Xuebin Lv; Jiawen Xie; Yiwen Liu; Guanyi Chen; Li'an Hou

Environmental Science and Ecotechnology (Jul 2024)

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from municipal wastewater treatment in China

Yindong Tong,
Xiawei Liao,
Yanying He,
Xiaomei Cui,
Marcus Wishart,
Feng Zhao,
Yulian Liao,
Yingxin Zhao,
Xuebin Lv,
Jiawen Xie,
Yiwen Liu,
Guanyi Chen,
Li'an Hou

Affiliations

Yindong Tong: School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850012, China; School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
Xiawei Liao: Bay Area International Business School, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
Yanying He: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
Xiaomei Cui: School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850012, China
Marcus Wishart: The World Bank, Washington D.C., 20433, USA
Feng Zhao: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
Yulian Liao: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
Yingxin Zhao: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
Xuebin Lv: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
Jiawen Xie: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
Yiwen Liu: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China; Corresponding author.
Guanyi Chen: School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850012, China; School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, 300134, China; Corresponding author. School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, 300134, China.
Li'an Hou: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 20
p. 100341

Abstract

Read online

Municipal wastewater treatment plays an indispensable role in enhancing water quality by eliminating contaminants. While the process is vital, its environmental footprint, especially in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, remains underexplored. Here we offer a comprehensive assessment of GHG emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across China. Our analyses reveal an estimated 1.54 (0.92–2.65) × 104 Gg release of GHGs (CO2-eq) in 2020, with a dominant contribution from N2O emissions and electricity consumption. We can foresee a 60–65% reduction potential in GHG emissions with promising advancements in wastewater treatment, such as cutting-edge biological techniques, intelligent wastewater strategies, and a shift towards renewable energy sources.

Published in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology

ISSN: 2666-4984 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences; Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environmental-science-and-ecotechnology

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords