Pollution exacerbates interregional flows of virtual scarce water driven by energy demand in China

Hui Li; Yuhan Liang; Qionghong Chen; Sai Liang; Jetashree; Zhifeng Yang

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2022.118980

Pollution exacerbates interregional flows of virtual scarce water driven by energy demand in China

Water Res. 2022 Sep 1:223:118980. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118980. Epub 2022 Aug 13.

Authors

Hui Li¹, Yuhan Liang², Qionghong Chen³, Sai Liang⁴, Jetashree¹, Zhifeng Yang⁵

Affiliations

¹ State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
² Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China. Electronic address: liangyuhan126@126.com.
³ Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
⁵ Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.

PMID: 35987035
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118980

Abstract

Existing studies on the virtual scarce water flows within the water-energy context focus on water quantity while largely ignoring water quality. This study improves the quantification method of scarce water uses by considering both blue water (representing water quantity) and grey water (indicating water quality). Based on a scarce-water extended multi-regional input-output model, we investigate the virtual scarce water flows driven by energy demand across 31 Chinese regions in 2012 and 2017. The results show that considering water quality provides new insights into the patterns of interregional flows of virtual scarce water driven by energy demand. The virtual integrated scarce water (VISW) flows, which consider both water quantity and quality, are 5 times the volume of virtual quantity-based scarce water (VQSW) flows. Moreover, certain regions (e.g., Hebei) are recognized as net VISW exporters, but are net importers in terms of VQSW. There are significant differences in the critical interregional pairs identified based on net VISW flows (e.g., Shandong-Zhejiang, and Shandong-Guangdong) and net VQSW flows (e.g., Heilongjiang-Guangdong, and Liaoning-Shaanxi). To reduce water scarcity based on the combined effect of both quantity and quality, the critical VISW interregional pairs should enhance cooperation through compensation payments and interregional technology transfer. This study highlights the importance of water quality in the assessment of virtual scarce water uses. Employing virtual scarce water as a policy tool to mitigate water scarcity might fail without the consideration of water quality.

Keywords: Energy; Input–output analysis; Trade; Virtual scarce water; Water quality; Water scarcity.

MeSH terms

China
Water Quality*
Water Supply*