Reducing the impact of irrigated crops on freshwater availability: the case of Brazilian yellow melons

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• 作者：Maria Cléa Brito de Figueirêdo (1)
  Imke J. M. de Boer (2)
  Carolien Kroeze (3) (4)
  Viviane da Silva Barros (1)
  Jo?o Alencar de Sousa (1)
  Fernando Ant?nio Souza de Arag?o (1)
  Rubens Sonsol Gondim (1)
  José Potting (3) (5)
  
• 关键词：Consumptive water use ; Impact assessment ; Life cycle approach ; Water efficiency ; Water footprint ; Water scarcity
• 刊名：The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment
• 出版年：2014
• 出版时间：February 2014
• 年：2014
• 卷：19
• 期：2
• 页码：437-448
• 全文大小：389 KB
• 作者单位：Maria Cléa Brito de Figueirêdo (1)
  Imke J. M. de Boer (2)
  Carolien Kroeze (3) (4)
  Viviane da Silva Barros (1)
  Jo?o Alencar de Sousa (1)
  Fernando Ant?nio Souza de Arag?o (1)
  Rubens Sonsol Gondim (1)
  José Potting (3) (5)
  
  1. Agroindustry Center, Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation (Embrapa), Rua Dra Sara Mesquita 2270, Planalto do Pici, CEP 60511-110, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
  2. Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700, AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
  3. Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700, AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
  4. School of Science, Open University of The Netherlands, Open Universiteit, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT, Heerlen, The Netherlands
  5. Environmental Strategies Research (fms), KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Drottning Kristinas v?g 30, 3rd floor, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
  
• ISSN：1614-7502

文摘

Purpose This study quantifies freshwater consumption throughout the life cycle of Brazilian exported yellow melons and assesses the resulting impact on freshwater availability. Results are used to identify improvement options. Moreover, the study explores the further impact of variations in irrigation volume, yield, and production location. Methods The product system boundary encompasses production of seeds, seedlings, and melon plants; melon packing; disposal of solid farm waste; and farm input and melon transportation to European ports. The primary data in the study were collected from farmers in order to quantify freshwater consumption related to packing and to production of seeds, seedlings, and melons. Open-field melon irrigation was also estimated, considering the region's climate and soil characteristics. Estimated and current water consumptions were compared in order to identify impact reduction opportunities. Sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate variations in the impact because of changes in melon field irrigation, yield, and farm location. Results and discussion This study shows that the average impact on freshwater availability of 1?kg of exported Brazilian yellow melons is 135?l H2O-e, with a range from 17 to 224?l H2O-e depending on the growing season's production period. Irrigation during plant production accounts for 98?% of this impact. Current melon field water consumption in the Low Jaguaribe and A?u region is at least 39?% higher than necessary, which affects the quality of fruits and yield. The impact of melon production in other world regions on freshwater availability may range from 0.3?l H2O-e/kg in Costa Rica to 466?l H2O-e/kg in the USA. Conclusions The impact of temporary crops, such as melons, on water availability should be presented in ranges, instead of as an average, since regional consumptive water and water stress variations occur in different growing season periods. Current and estimated water consumption for irrigation may also be compared in order to identify opportunities to achieve optimization and reduce water availability impact.