University of Twente Student Theses
The (N)itrogen- and (P)hosphorus-related grey water footprints of domestic and industrial water use – a global analysis from 1990-2019
Tulp, B.J.H. (2025) The (N)itrogen- and (P)hosphorus-related grey water footprints of domestic and industrial water use – a global analysis from 1990-2019.
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| Abstract: | Water quality has gained significant attention in recent years. Among various pollutants, nutrients stand out due to their profound impact on water quality. These nutrients are primarily responsible for eutrophication and lower oxygen levels in aquatic ecosystems, reducing the biodiversity and causing ecological degradation. Globally, agriculture is the largest contributor to nitrogen and phosphorus emissions. However, domestic and industrial sectors create significant emission hotspots worldwide. This paper examines the global greywater footprint of nitrogen and phosphorus emissions from the domestic and industrial sectors between 1990 and 2019. It presents a gridded dataset with a 5×5 arc-minute resolution, providing valuable insights into temporal trends and regional disparities. Additionally, the study addresses the limitations in scope and methodology of previous research, expanding upon them in this work. The domestic greywater footprint is calculated by multiplying per-capita nutrient loads by population density. Nutrient loads are estimated based on human intake, sewage system coverage, and wastewater treatment efficiency, all affecting nutrient discharge into freshwater. The industrial greywater footprint is derived by applying a country-specific ratio to the domestic greywater footprint, using annual data for countries where such data is available. The global nitrogen- and phosphorus-related greywater footprint from domestic and industrial water use has significantly increased over the past three decades. In 1990, the total nitrogen-related footprint was 2.6 × 1012 m3/y, rising to 6.3 × 1012 m3/y in 2019. The phosphorus-related footprint followed a similar trend, increasing from 75.2 × 1012 m3/y in 1990 to 194.5 × 1012 m3/y in 2019. Domestic wastewater is the dominant contributor, with hotspots in rapidly urbanizing and densely populated regions such as China, India, and parts of Africa. Industrial contributions are particularly significant in heavily industrialized areas with limited wastewater treatment infrastructure |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | ET: Engineering Technology |
| Subject: | 56 civil engineering |
| Programme: | Civil Engineering and Management MSc (60026) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/105407 |
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