[1] Hou, S., Huo, J., Zhao, X.*, #, Wang, X., Zhang, X., Zhao, D., Tillotson, M., Shan, Y., Flörke, M., Guo, W., Meng, J., Hubacek, K. 2025. Tracking grid-level freshwater boundary exceedance along global supply chains from consumption to impact. Nature Water. 3, 439–448. doi.org/10.1038/s44221-025-00420-z.
[2] Lou, Z., Zhang, H., Zhao, X.#, Liu, Q., Liang, M., Wang, H., Yang, H., Cai, B., Lu, J., Cui, Y., Wu, J., Teng, F., Lu, X., Yuan, W., Liu, M., 2025. High-resolution mapping of CH4/N2O emissions from industrialization-related anthropogenic sources in China. National Science Review 2025, nwae481, https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwae481.
[3] Zhao, X., Liu, J., Liu, Q., Tillotson, M.R., Guan, D., Hubacek, K., 2015. Physical and virtual water transfers for regional water stress alleviation in China. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) 112(4), 1031-1035.
[4] Zhao, X.*, Hou, S., Zhang, X., Hubacek, K., Tillotson, M.R., Liu, Y., Liu, J. 2023. Revealing trade potential for reversing regional freshwater boundary exceedance. Environmental Science & Technology. 57, 11520-11530.
[5] Hou, S., Zhao, X.*, Liu, Y., Tillotson, M.R., Weng, S., Wang, H., Li, Y., Liu, B., Feng, K., Zhang, N., 2022. Spatial analysis connects excess water pollution discharge, industrial production, and consumption at the sectoral level. npj Clean Water 5, 4.
[6] Zhao, X. Liu, J., Yang, H., Duarte, R., Tillotson, M.R., Hubacek, K., 2016. Burden shifting of water quantity and quality stress from megacity Shanghai. Water Resources Research. 52(9), 6916-6927
[7] Guo, W, Zhang, X., Yue, J., Gao, Y., Tillotson, M. R., Zhao, X. *, 2024. Nasal filter reveal exposure risks of inhalable particulates and heavy metals in urban women. Environment International 2024 Vol. 188
[8] Sun, H., Tillotson, M.R., Wang, D., Zhao, X.*, 2024. A novel Z-scheme SnS/NiAl-LDH/g-C3N4 heterojunction for piezo-photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline: Performance and mechanism. Surfaces and Interfaces 2024 Vol. 52
[9] Mpiya Kapalata Frederic, Xinyu Guo, Xu Zhao*，Harold Lyonel Feukam Nzudie, Martin R. Tillotson, Ya Zhou, Yiping Li, 2023. Evaluating the water footprint and nutritional quality of takeaway dishes for selected large cities in China. Science of the Total Environment 911, 168632.
[10] Shen, C., Hao, X., An, D., Tillotson, M.R., Yang, L., Zhao, X.*, 2023. Unveiling the potential for artificial upwelling in algae derived carbon sink and nutrient mitigation. Science of the Total Environment 905, 167150.
[11] Zhang, S., Zhao, X.*, Feng, K.*, Hu, Y., Tillotson, M.R., Yang, L., 2022. Do mariculture products offer better environment and nutritional choices compared to land-based protein products in China? Journal of Cleaner Production 372, 133697.
[12] Zhao, X., Liao, X. *, Zhang, C., Zhang, X.*, Mao, G., Zhang, S., Tillotson, M.R., 2021. Unveiling the dynamic of water-electricity conflict within and beyond megacity boundary. Journal of Environmental Management 286.
[13] Zhang, Q.* Smith, K., Zhao, X.* Jin, X., Wang, S., Shen, J., Ren, Z.J., 2021. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with urban water infrastructure: What we have learnt from China's practice. WIREs Water. e1529
[14] Feukam Nzudie, H. L., Zhao, X. *, Liu, G., Tillotson, M.R., Hou, S., Li, Y., 2021. Driving force analysis for food loss changes in Cameroon. Journal of Cleaner Production. 278, 123892.
[15] Liao, X., Zhao, X. *, Liu, W., Li, R., Wang, X., Wang, W., Tillotson, M.R., 2020. Comparing water footprint and water scarcity footprint of energy demand in China’s six megacities. Applied Energy 269, 115137.
[16] Zhang, X., Zhao, X.*, Li, R., Mao, G., Tillotson, M.R., Liao, X., Zhang, C., Yi, Y., 2020. Evaluating the vulnerability of physical and virtual water resource networks in China's megacities. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 161, 104972.
[17] Feukam Nzudie, H.L., Zhao, X.*, Tillotson, M.R., Zhang, F., Li, Y.*, 2020. Modelling and forecasting roots & tubers losses and resulting water losses in sub-Saharan Africa considering climate variables. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, 102952.
[18] Zhao, X.*, Liao, X., Chen, B., Tillotson, M.R., Guo, W., Li, Y., 2019. Accounting global grey water footprint from both consumption and production perspectives. Journal of Cleaner Production. 225, 963-971.
[19] Zhao, X.*, Jin, X., Guo, W., Zhang, C., Shan, Y.L., Du, M.X., Tillotson, M.R., Yang, H., Liao, X., Li, Y.P., 2019. China’s urban methane emissions from municipal wastewater treatment plant. Earth’s Future. 7, 480-490.https://doi.org/10.1029/2018EF001113.
[20] Zhang, X., Liu, J., Zhao, X. *, Yang, H., Deng, X., Jiang, X., Li, Y., 2019. Linking physical water consumption with virtual water consumption: Methodology, application and implications. Journal of Cleaner Production 228, 1206-1217.
[21] Liao, X., Zhao, X.*, Jiang, Y., Liu, Y., Yi, Y., Tillotson, M.R., 2019. Water footprint of the energy sector in China’s two megalopolises. Ecological Modelling 391, 9-15.
[22] Zhao, X.*, Li, Y., Yang, H., Liu, W.F., Tillotson, M.R., Guan, D., Yi, Y., Wang, H., 2018. Measuring scarce water saving from interregional virtual water flows in China. Environmental Research Letters 13, 054012.
[23] Liao, X., Zhao, X.*, Hall, J.W., Guan, D., 2018. Categorising virtual water transfers through China’s electric power sector. Applied Energy 226, 252-260.
[24] Liu, J., Zhao, X.#*, Yang, H., Liu, Q., Xiao, H., Cheng, G., 2018. Assessing China's “developing a water-saving society” policy at a river basin level: A structural decomposition analysis approach. Journal Cleaner Production 190, 799-808. (co-first author)
[25] Hou, S., Liu, Y., Zhao, X.*, Tillotson, M., Guo, W., Li, Y., 2018. Blue and Green Water Footprint Assessment for China—A Multi-Region Input–Output Approach. Sustainability 10, 2822.
[26] Zhao, X.*, Tillotson, M.R. Liu, Y.W., Guo, W. Yang, A.H., Li, Y.F. 2017. Index decomposition analysis of urban crop water footprint. 348, 25-32. Ecological Modelling.
[27] Zhao, X., Tillotson, M.R., Yang, Z., Yang, H., Liu, J. 2016 Reduction and reallocation of water use of products in Beijing. Ecological Indicators. 16,893-898.
[28] Zhao, X., Yang, H., Yang, Z.F., Chen, B., Qin, Y., 2010. Applying the input-output method to account for water footprint and virtual water trade in the Haihe River basin in China. Environmental Science & Technology, 44(23), 9150-9156.
[29] Zhao, X., Chen, B., Yang, Z.F., 2009. National water footprint in an input-output framework- A case study of China 2002. Ecological Modelling, 220(2), 245-253
