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Assessment of Carbon Reduction Benefits of A/O-Gradient Constructed Wetland Renovation for Rural Wastewater Treatment in the Southeast Coastal Areas of China Based on Life Cycle Assessment: The Example of Xiamen Sanxiushan Village

Author

Listed:
  • Xianpeng Liu

    (School of Architecture, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China)

  • Heng Zhang

    (School of Architecture, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China)

  • Minfeng Yao

    (School of Architecture, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China)

  • Li Li

    (School of Architecture, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China)

  • Yuchen Qin

    (School of Architecture, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China)

Abstract

The enhancement of carbon sequestration and emissions reduction has emerged as a primary concern in China’s rural regions. Nevertheless, numerous completed rural wastewater treatment facilities necessitate retrofitting due to suboptimal operational conditions. Consequently, evaluating the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions impact and carbon reduction advantages of rural wastewater treatment facility retrofitting is essential. Existing research predominantly focuses on urban wastewater treatment plants, with minimal attention given to GHG emissions impact during the construction and demolition stages of wastewater treatment facilities. In this investigation, we developed a life cycle assessment (LCA)-based evaluation model to appraise the GHG emissions impact and carbon reduction benefits of retrofitting rural wastewater treatment facilities. We examined a renovation project in Sanxiushan Village, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, incorporating the integrated plant treatment technology of constructed wetlands. Our findings indicate that retrofitting offers significant advantages in terms of GHG emissions reduction, even when accounting for implicit GHG emissions. The establishment of supplementary terraced constructed wetlands and landscape greening can yield more substantial carbon reduction benefits. Moreover, we discovered that implicit GHG emissions during the construction stage can be mitigated by employing local, recycled, and low-carbon materials. Modifying vegetation community structure and prioritizing vegetation species selection can enhance the carbon storage capacity of plants, reducing overall life cycle GHG emissions and augmenting emissions reduction benefits. The evaluation model developed in this study can facilitate the promotion of low-carbon construction and operation of rural wastewater treatment facilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Xianpeng Liu & Heng Zhang & Minfeng Yao & Li Li & Yuchen Qin, 2023. "Assessment of Carbon Reduction Benefits of A/O-Gradient Constructed Wetland Renovation for Rural Wastewater Treatment in the Southeast Coastal Areas of China Based on Life Cycle Assessment: The Exampl," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-27, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:10:p:8094-:d:1148216
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Li, Ruixiong & Zhang, Haoran & Wang, Huanran & Tu, Qingshi & Wang, Xuejun, 2019. "Integrated hybrid life cycle assessment and contribution analysis for CO2 emission and energy consumption of a concentrated solar power plant in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 310-322.
    2. Weiwen Li & Yijiang Zhou & Xingan Dai & Fang Hu, 2022. "Evaluation of Rural Tourism Landscape Resources in Terms of Carbon Neutrality and Rural Revitalization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Liu, Lingchi & Zhang, Xiaohong & Lyu, Yanfeng, 2022. "Performance comparison of sewage treatment plants before and after their upgradation using emergy evaluation combined with economic analysis: A case from Southwest China," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 472(C).
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