Environmental life cycle assessment of rice production in northern Italy: a case study from Vercelli

Vinci, Giuliana; Lucia, Maddaloni; Ruggeri, Marco; Simone, Vieri

doi:10.1007/s11367-022-02109-x

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…For example, from 2007 to 2018, the land area used for rice cultivation significantly increased (41%), but from 2015 to 2018, it decreased (−11%). This fluctuation was influenced by choices made by producers, often in response to drought conditions [82]. This fluctuation in rice cultivation has substantial consequences both hydrologically and socioeconomically.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrological Implications of Recent Droughts (2004–2022): A SWAT-Based Study in an Ancient Lowland Irrigation Area in Lombardy, Northern Italy

Bernini,

Becker,

Adeniyi

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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This study examines the hydrological dynamics of the Ticino irrigation cascade in northern Italy from 2004 to 2022. The region, which is shaped by human activity, is characterized by its flat topography and complex management of water resources, featuring a unique historic irrigation cascade. Utilizing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), we investigated the water availability during recent severe droughts in this complex agricultural environment, which lacks natural drainage. This area faces risks due to increasing temperatures and increased rainless days. Therefore, understanding the soil water dynamics is essential for maintaining the system’s sustainability. Calibrating and validating the SWAT model with runoff data was challenging due to the absence of natural drainage. Thus, we utilized MOD16 evapotranspiration (AET) data for calibration. Generally, the calibration and validation of the SWAT model yielded satisfactory results in terms of the Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE). Despite some discrepancies, which were mainly related to the data sources and resolution, the calibrated model’s outputs showed increased actual evapotranspiration that was influenced by climate and irrigation, leading to water deficits and droughts. The soil water content (SWC) decreased by 7% over 15 years, impacting crop productivity and environmental sustainability. This also resulted in rising water stress for crops and the ecosystem in general, highlighting the direct impact of adverse climate conditions on soil hydrology and agriculture. Our research contributes to the understanding of soil–water dynamics, as it specifically addresses recent droughts in the Lombardy lowlands.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrological Implications of Recent Droughts (2004–2022): A SWAT-Based Study in an Ancient Lowland Irrigation Area in Lombardy, Northern Italy

Bernini,

Becker,

Adeniyi

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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“…Energy, water, and fuel are unknown. Therefore, despite being referred to as a matter of completeness, this phase was not considered in this research due to the unavailability of some data as well as the reduced environmental contribution caused by the multiyear useful life and depreciation of capital assets [44,45].…”

Section: Life Cycle Inventorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Reuse of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries from a Life Cycle Assessment Perspective: The Second-Life Case Study

Vinci,

Arangia,

Ruggieri

et al. 2024

Energies

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As of 2035, the European Union has ratified the obligation to register only zero-emission cars, including ultra-low-emission vehicles (ULEVs). In this context, electric mobility fits in, which, however, presents the critical issue of the over-exploitation of critical raw materials (CRMs). An interesting solution to reduce this burden could be the so-called second life, in which batteries that are no longer able to guarantee high performance in vehicles are used for other applications that do not require high performance, such as so-called stationary systems, effectively avoiding new over-exploitation of resources. In this study, therefore, the environmental impacts of second-life lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are verified using a life cycle perspective, taking a second life project as a case study. The results show how, through the second life, GWP could be reduced by ‒5.06 × 101 kg CO2 eq/kWh, TEC by ‒3.79 × 100 kg 1.4 DCB eq/kWh, HNCT by ‒3.46 × 100 kg 1.4 DCB eq/kWh, ‒3.88 × 100 m2a crop eq/kWh, and ‒1.12 × 101 kg oil eq/kWh. It is further shown how second life is potentially preferable to other forms of recycling, such as hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recycling, as it shows lower environmental impacts in all impact categories, with environmental benefits of, for example, ‒1.19 × 101 kg CO2 eq/kWh (compared to hydrometallurgical recycling) and ‒1.50 × 101 kg CO2 eq/kWh (pyrometallurgical recycling), ‒3.33 × 102 kg 1.4 DCB eq/kWh (hydrometallurgical), and ‒3.26 × 102 kg 1.4 DCB eq/kWh (pyrometallurgical), or ‒3.71 × 100 kg oil eq/kWh (hydrometallurgical) and ‒4.56 × 100 kg oil eq/kWh (pyrometallurgical). By extending the service life of spent batteries, it may therefore be possible to extract additional value while minimizing emissions and the over-exploitation of resources.

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“…The applicability of an LCA in the agri-food sector highlights environmental hotspots, specifically those activities or processes responsible for environmental impacts 24 . In addition, the LCA can be applied to calculate an energy balance and recognize the main categories of environmental impact in an agronomic process, such as climate change, waste management, and soil acidification.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rice husk reuse as a sustainable energy alternative in Tolima, Colombia

Ramírez,

Tovar,

Silva-Marrufo

2024

Sci Rep

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Colombia has great potential to produce clean energy through the use of residual biomass from the agricultural sector, such as residues obtained from the life cycle of rice production. This document presents a mixed approach methodology study to examine the combustion of rice husks as a possible energy alternative in the Tolima department of Colombia. First, the physicochemical characteristics of the rice husk were analyzed to characterize the raw material. Next, System Advisor Model (SAM) software was used to model a bioenergy plant to obtain biochar, bio-oil, and biogas from the combustion of rice husks and generate performance matrices, such as thermal efficiency, heat rate, and capacity factor. Then, the project was evaluated for financial feasibility using a mathematical model of net present value (NPV) with a planning horizon of 5 years. Finally, a subset of the local population was surveyed to assess perspectives on the project in the region. The results of the rice husk physicochemical analysis were the following: nitrogen content (0.74%), organic carbon (38.04%), silica (18.39%), humidity determination (7.68%), ash (19.4%), presence of carbonates (< 0.01%), and pH (6.41). These properties are adequate for the combustion process. The SAM simulation showed that the heat transferred in the boiler was 3180 kW, maintaining an efficiency between 50 and 52% throughout the 12 months of the year, meaning that the rice husk can generate electricity and thermal energy. The financial analysis showed that the internal rate of return (IRR) was 6% higher than the opportunity interest rate (OIR), demonstrating economic feasibility of the project. The design and creation of a rice husk processing plant is socially and environmentally viable and has the potential to contribute to the economic development of the Tolima community and reduce greenhouse gases. Likewise, this activity has the potential to promote energy security for consumers and environmental sustainability while at the same time being economically competitive.

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Environmental life cycle assessment of rice production in northern Italy: a case study from Vercelli

Cited by 13 publications

References 46 publications

Hydrological Implications of Recent Droughts (2004–2022): A SWAT-Based Study in an Ancient Lowland Irrigation Area in Lombardy, Northern Italy

Hydrological Implications of Recent Droughts (2004–2022): A SWAT-Based Study in an Ancient Lowland Irrigation Area in Lombardy, Northern Italy

Reuse of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries from a Life Cycle Assessment Perspective: The Second-Life Case Study

Rice husk reuse as a sustainable energy alternative in Tolima, Colombia

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