Multi-regional industrial wastewater metabolism analysis for the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China. (1st September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Dengcheng; Huang, Gordon; Liu, Lirong; Zhai, Mengyu; Gao, Sichen
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 284(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09-01
• Subjects: Wastewater metabolic system -- Water pollution -- Environmental IO model -- Yangtze river economic belt -- China; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117118
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Enormous wastewater discharges have significantly impeded the sustainable development. As several economic belt has been formed in China, systematic analysis of multi-regional wastewater metabolic system is required for advancing wastewater mitigation effectively and efficiently. In this study, a distributive environmental input-output model (DEIO) is developed for the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) to provide bases for supporting sustainable development from inter-regional and inter-sectoral perspectives. The discharges and flows of wastewater and related pollutants (i.e., chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen (AN)) among sectors and regions are analyzed to providing solid bases for wastewater management within the YREB. The results show that the industrial wastewater mitigation in YREB is desired urgently. The industrial wastewater discharges in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces are numerous, while Hunan and Yunnan provinces are more inclined to suffer from serious COD and AN pollution. In addition, the manufacture of food, tobacco, chemical materials, and pharmaceutical are the typical sectors with a large amount of direct wastewater discharge, and the tertiary industry is ranked at the first in indirect wastewater discharge. According to the analysis, the implementation of the "Supply-side Structure Reform" and the "Replace Subsidies with Rewards" policy can benefit the wastewater mitigation in the YREB. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A Distributive Environmental Input-Output Model is developed for the YREB. Multi-level wastewater discharges and relationships within the YREB are identified. A full patter of the YREB's wastewater pollution is depicted. Pollution diversions among sectors and regions within the YREB are analyzed. Policy recommendations for various provinces and industries are proposed.