The eutrophication of groundwater by nitrate leaching is major environmental problem in Germany, especially in areas with intensive agriculture and high N-fertilizer inputs. In addition there are different regional aspects (like soil properties) which make certain areas more vulnerable than others.
I am currently working in a project where we want to improve the sustainability of crop production systems in Germany. Here, we want to assess the impact of crop production on various environmental areas such as GWP, Acidification and Eutrophication, using LCA’s.
We are working with Gabi-Software, which is why we are limited in the choice of LCIA-methods.
I had a closer look on the methods CML 2001, Environmental Footprint 3.0 and ReCiPe 2016 and their underlying models.
I understand the differences between the models. But if we want to assess the impact of Nitrate leaching on groundwater via LCA, it seems only CML is the appropriate method because it considers both - N and P emissions. Also, the characterization factor in Gabi-Software is an average European factor (For ReCiPe it’s a global, for EF it’s European too).
On the other hand, the CML-method is often described as a simple method, since it is a stoichiometric calculation of the contribution of N- and P-emissions to algae growth (Redford-equation). By this, it does not consider any environmental fate.
ReCiPe 2016 or EF 3.0 however differentiate between marine and freshwater eutrophication, in which only N- or P-emissions are considered. So, if I want to assess the impact of N-emissions to groundwater with ReCiPe, I have to use marine eutrophication. But would my results be valid for groundwater at all? The fate factor calculates up to the marine end compartment, and I expect large losses of emissions on the “path” between groundwater and seawater.
I find it extremely difficult to decide, as it is so important to estimate the effects as accurately as possible. Has anyone carried out a similar study on this subject and / or can give me a recommendation?
I would be very grateful!
Best regards and stay safe,
Pia
Life cycle assessment (LCA) was originally developed as a site-independent tool, where the environments affected by the assessed impacts represent average or generic recipients. For all impact categories where the impact is dependent on the activity location, spatial differentiation can be highly important to achieve representative assessment of the environmental impacts of a system, and failure to take spatial variation into account may give misleading results
Pia Schneider ,
Have you looked at the " Recommendations for Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the European context "?
If not, they do provide EU recommendations for LCIA models selection in case of Eutrophication. (In attached, page 66)
Dear Pia,
I use GaBi software every day and primarily the CML 2001 LCIA method for the reasons you have also described. I think feel free to use the January 2016 version of the CML 2001 method for your research (impact category: EP). You can set global parameters (GLO) for processes with the parameterization method. Best wishes, Viktoria
Thank you. I saw the recommendations from ILCD but the Report is from 2011 - 4 years before ReCiPe 2016 was released. The most recent report I found was from The Life cycleI initiative (https://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/training-resources/global-guidance-for-life-cycle-impact-assessment-indicators-volume-2/) in which they recommen ReCiPe 2016.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) was originally developed as a site-independent tool, where the environments affected by the assessed impacts represent average or generic recipients. For all impact categories where the impact is dependent on the activity location, spatial differentiation can be highly important to achieve representative assessment of the environmental impacts of a system, and failure to take spatial variation into account may give misleading results
Hi Pia!
You need to Iook at every process of your system. Life Cycle assessment requires cradle to grave accounting of impacts.
Hi Pia,
I think eutrophication is a good choice, if you plan to consider phosphorus emissions also, along with nitrates. Recent studies employ both if marine and fresh water are in consideration for groundwater leaching.
Article Critical Review of Eutrophication Models for Life Cycle Assessment
Hope this helps!
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