[Meta-analysis of Occurrence Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater Treatment Plants in China].

Wastewater discharge from wastewater treatment plants （WWTPs） is one of the major sources of emerging contaminants （ECs） in the aquatic environment. To comprehensively evaluate the occurrence characteristics and ecological risks of ECs in Chinese WWTPs， this study employed a Meta-analysis （Meta） approach. A total of 849 data selected by screening 71 publications from two major databases-one in English and one in Chinese-focused on the contamination levels of ECs in the influent and effluent of Chinese WWTPs. The study characterized the occurrence properties of ECs by analyzing their average concentrations， while risk quotient （RQ） evaluations served as a key indicator for risk assessment during the in-depth Meta. The results indicate that EC contamination is widespread in Chinese WWTPs， with regional variations in pollutant concentrations and types influenced by local industrial structures and residential habits. The risk assessment showed that a variety of ECs in water presented medium and high ecological risks in several regions， including central， southern and northwestern China. On this basis， the removal ways and process improvement strategies of ECs in WWTPs in China are expounded， which can provide scientific basis for regional ecological environment protection and treatment process optimization and improvement.