Life cycle analysis of the wastewater treatment system in Zabol Industrial Town: Environmental impacts, energy demand, and greenhouse gas emissions

• Published in: Integrated environmental assessment and management 2024-09, Vol.20 (5), p.1747-1758
• Main Authors: Hootmirdoosti, Simineh, Okati, Narjes, Nowrouzi, Mohsen, Erfani, Malihe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; Carbon footprint; Carcinogens; Chemical oxygen demand; Climate change; Climatic conditions; Demand analysis; Electric power generation; Electricity; Electricity consumption; Emissions; Energy; Energy analysis; Energy consumption; Energy demand; Environmental cleanup; Environmental impact; Fossil fuels; Freshwater; Fuel consumption; Geographical locations; Greenhouse gases; Heavy metals; Inland water environment; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; Life cycle; Life cycle analysis; Life cycle assessment; Life cycles; Natural gas; Oxygen consumption; Oxygen requirement; Sensitivity analysis; Sludge; Solar energy; Sustainable development; Toxicity; Wastewater treatment; Water reclamation; Water scarcity; Water treatment; Wind power; Zabol Industrial Town
• ISSN: 1551-3777; 1551-3793; 1551-3793
• DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4942

Use of effective environmental remediation facilities represents a crucial strategy for water reclamation and addressing the challenges of water scarcity. The objective of this study was to assess the wastewater treatment system (WWTS) in Zabol Industrial Town using the life cycle assessment method. Primary data, collected annually for a functional unit of 1 m3 of wastewater treatment, were subjected to analysis using the ReCiPe, Cumulative Energy Demand, and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methods. Human carcinogenic toxicity (50%), freshwater ecotoxicity (13%), and marine ecotoxicity (10%) were the primary environmental impacts due to the WWTS performance. The discharge of heavy metals during sludge generation, coupled with the consumption of natural gas and oil, especially for electricity production, were pivotal factors contributing to the environmental burdens observed. Furthermore, chemical oxygen demand (COD) (56.34%), electricity consumption (>15.47%), and total phosphorous (>4.49%) significantly threatened human health and ecosystem categories, while fossil fuel consumption had the greatest impact on resources. Nonrenewable fossil fuels, namely, natural gas (47.2%) and oil (38.27%), played a predominant role in the energy provision of the system. The IPCC analysis depicted the emissions of CO2 (86.77%) and CH4 (12.16%) stemming from the process of electricity generation. Based on the outcomes of the sensitivity analysis, implementing a 10% increase in COD yielded an increment in all impacts within the range of 1.40% to 6.83%. Given Iran's geographic location and the unique climatic conditions in Zabul, use of solar and wind energy to energize the WWTS can substantially alleviate its environmental burdens. This study presents a comprehensive framework for evaluating the environmental impact, energy consumption, and carbon footprint of a WWTS. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1747–1758. © 2024 SETAC Key Points Wastewater treatment system (WWTS) operations led to significant human carcinogenic and freshwater and marine ecotoxicity impacts. Heavy metal discharge and fossil fuel consumption were key environmental burdens. The electricity generation process in WWTS led to emission of CO2 (86.77%) and CH4 (12.16%). The switch from fossil fuels to solar and wind energy can greatly reduce WWTS environmental impacts.