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Abstract
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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.
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