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Research Progress on Characteristic Analysis, Source Identification, and Advanced Treatment Technologies for Wastewater in Suburban Transitional Zones
Summary
Cities are expanding rapidly, and the peri-urban zones at their edges — mixtures of residential, agricultural, and light industrial land — are generating complex wastewater that conventional treatment plants struggle to handle. This review examines the unique pollution challenges of these transition zones, including high concentrations of nutrients, heavy metals, and microplastics, combined with seasonal and intermittent discharge patterns. The authors recommend tailored treatment strategies — including membrane bioreactors and constructed wetlands — matched to local conditions, arguing that a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient for these hybrid environments.
ABSTRACT Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization worldwide, the peri‐urban transition zone the interface between urban and rural areas has become increasingly prominent in terms of ecological challenges, particularly in wastewater management. This paper examines the complex characteristics of wastewater in peri‐urban regions, including the prevalent presence of high concentration of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants such as microplastics. It further highlights the dynamic nature of wastewater flows, characterized by significant seasonal variations in volume and intermittent discharge patterns. Through a comprehensive source analysis, the study identifies key contributing factors, including population aggregation and mobility associated with urbanization, industrial pollution, agricultural non‐point source runoff, and inadequate infrastructure planning. With regard to treatment technologies, the paper systematically evaluates the limitations of conventional combined physical, chemical, and biological processes, while also assessing the applicability and challenges of advanced approaches such as membrane bioreactors and constructed wetlands. Based on this analysis, the paper proposes tailored wastewater management strategies for peri‐urban contexts, emphasizing technology selection based on wastewater composition, regional socioeconomic and environmental conditions, and optimized spatial planning of treatment facilities. This research not only provides a scientific foundation and technical reference for effective wastewater treatment in peri‐urban areas but also holds significant implications for advancing regional ecological sustainability and safeguarding water resource security, thereby offering critical support for environmental protection in future urban development.