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Technology and Concept of Wastewater Treatment: Differences Between the Rhine Basin and the Yangtze Basin

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Abstract

Based on field visits and literature research, the situations of several typical wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Rhine basin and the Yangtze basin were investigated, to compare the technology and concept of wastewater treatment in these two areas. Our results showed that WWTPs in the Rhine performed well in pollutant removal, and have shifted their focus to energy production and nutrient recovery; While in the Yangtze basin, most WWTPs still operate on the sole concept of pollution treatment. Though China’s WWTPs attach importance to water reclamation, the related technologies are still under development. In years to come, the construction of New Concept WWTPs is expected by Chinese famous experts, to integrate sustainable wastewater treatment and energy/nutrient recovery. To better plan its future avenue in wastewater treatment, China is suggested to learn from the successful practice of energy production and nutrient recovery of WWTPs in the Rhine.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Nanjing University Undergraduate International Scientific Excursion & Research Training Project, and Research Project of “13th Five-year Plan” Experimental Teaching Reform of Nanjing University (SY201911, SY201929).

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  1. Chenyu Zhu and Boyang Zhu contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Ave., Nanjing, 210023, China

    Chenyu Zhu, Boyang Zhu, Xueyuan Gu, Mei Li, Rong Ji & Qing Zhou

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  1. Chenyu Zhu
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  2. Boyang Zhu
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  3. Xueyuan Gu
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  4. Mei Li
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Correspondence to Qing Zhou.

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Zhu, C., Zhu, B., Gu, X. et al. Technology and Concept of Wastewater Treatment: Differences Between the Rhine Basin and the Yangtze Basin. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 106, 1059–1064 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03217-4

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