The study applied Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of construction, operation, transportation of materials and wastes among the gravel contact oxidation system in Yingge, constructed wetland in Chenglin and constructed wetland in Xinhai 3. The aim of Life Cycle Assessment was to assess the environment benefits of wetland was used as a wastewater treatment plant and the usefulness of converting waste land into biological treatment plant. Two methods Impact 2002+ and ReCiPe were applied to the similarities and differences between them.
The results are similar from all two methods with dominance of waste scenario at all categories in regard to either of projects (Chenglin, Yingge, Xinhai 3). There are a few differences in results of two methods but no importance fluctuation. Any significant changes in the results might be influenced by the study uncertainties. Apparently, both methods bring similar results on human health category. Two methods indicate different indicators (terrestrial ecotoxicity in Impact 2002 and natural land transformation in ReCiPe) at midpoint but both guide to the same endpoint (ecosystem quality). Furthermore, in comparison with human health and resources, ecosystem quality suffers hardly from those impacts, almost double or triple. Nevertheless, in spite of constructing in the similar ways or using similar methods, they are some difference in their effects to the environment.
