Role of Soil-Specific Farming in Converting Blue Water into Green Water

2015 ◽  
pp. 388-405
Keyword(s):  
Green Water ◽  
Blue Water

A step forward toward the high-resolution assessment of virtual water flows at the company’s scale

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena De Petrillo ◽  
Marta Tuninetti ◽  
Francesco Laio
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
The State ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Food Trade ◽  
Water Flows ◽  
Final Consumer

<p>Through the international trade of agricultural goods, water resources that are physically used in the country of production are virtually transferred to the country of consumption. Food trade leads to a global redistribution of freshwater resources, thus shaping distant interdependencies among countries. Recent studies have shown how agricultural trade drives an outsourcing of environmental impacts pertaining to depletion and pollution of freshwater resources, and eutrophication of river bodies in distant producer countries. What is less clear is how the final consumer – being an individual, a company, or a community- impacts the water resources of producer countries at a subnational scale. Indeed, the variability of sub-national water footprint (WF in m<sup>3</sup>/tonne) due to climate, soil properties, irrigation practices, and fertilizer inputs is generally lost in trade analyses, as most trade data are only available at the country scale. The latest version of the Spatially Explicit Information on Production to Consumption Systems model  (SEI-PCS) by Trase provides detailed data on single trade flows (in tonne) along the crop supply chain: from local municipalities- to exporter companies- to importer companies – to the final consumer countries. These data allow us to capitalize on the high-resolution data of agricultural WF available in the literature, in order to quantify the sub-national virtual water flows behind food trade. As a first step, we assess the detailed soybean trade between Brazil and Italy. This assessment is relevant for water management because the global soybean flow reaching Italy may be traced back to 374 municipalities with heterogeneous agricultural practises and water use efficiency. Results show that the largest flow of virtual water from a Brazilian municipality to Italy -3.52e+07 m<sup>3</sup> (3% of the total export flow)- comes from Sorriso in the State of Mato Grosso. Conversely, the highest flow of blue water -1.56e+05 m<sup>3</sup>- comes from Jaguarão, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, located in the Brazilian Pampa. Further, the analysis at the company scale reveals that as many as 37 exporting companies can be identified exchanging to Italy;  Bianchini S.A is the largest virtual water trader (1.88 e+08 m<sup>3</sup> of green water and 3,92 e+06 m<sup>3</sup> of blue water), followed by COFCO (1,06 e+08 m<sup>3</sup> of green water and 6.62 m<sup>3</sup> of blue water)  and Cargill ( 6.96 e+07 m<sup>3</sup> of green water and 2.80 e+02 m<sup>3</sup> of blue water). By building the bipartite network of importing companies and municipalities originating the fluxes we are able to efficiently disaggregate the supply chains , providing novel tools to build sustainable water management strategies.</p>

scholarly journals Determination of virtual water content of rice and spatial characteristics analysis in China

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2103-2111 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Zhang ◽  
X. A. Yin ◽  
Y. Zhi ◽  
Z. F. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Southwest China ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Grey Water ◽  
Spatial Characteristics ◽  
Water Values

Abstract. China is a water-stressed country, and agriculture consumes the bulk of its water resources. Assessing the virtual water content (VWC) of crops is one important way to develop efficient water management measures to alleviate water resource conflicts among different sectors. In this research, the VWC of rice, a major crop in China, is taken as the research object. China covers a vast land area, and the VWC of rice varies widely between different regions. The VWC of rice in China is assessed and the spatial characteristics are also analysed. The total VWC is the total volume of freshwater both consumed and affected by pollution during the crop production process, including both direct and indirect water use. Prior calculation frameworks of the VWC of crops did not contain all of the virtual water content of crops. In addition to the calculation of green, blue and grey water – the direct water in VWC – the indirect water use of rice was also calculated, using an input–output model. The percentages of direct green, blue, grey and indirect water in the total VWC of rice in China were found to be 43.8, 28.2, 27.6, and 0.4%. The total VWC of rice generally showed a roughly three-tiered distribution, and decreased from southeast to northwest. The higher values of direct green water usage were mainly concentrated in Southeast and Southwest China, while the values were relatively low in Northwest China and Inner Mongolia. The higher direct blue water values were mainly concentrated in the eastern and southern coastal regions and Northwest China, and low values were mainly concentrated in Southwest China. Grey water values were relatively high in Shanxi and Guangxi provinces and low in Northeast and Northwest China. The regions with high values for indirect water were randomly distributed but the regions with low values were mainly concentrated in Northwest and Southwest China. For the regions with relatively high total VWC the high values of blue water made the largest contribution, although for the country as a whole the direct green water is the most important contributor.

scholarly journals Water saving through international trade of agricultural products

2006 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Chapagain ◽  
A. Y. Hoekstra ◽  
H. H. G. Savenije
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Water Saving ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Water Flows ◽  
Global Water ◽  
National Water

Abstract. Many nations save domestic water resources by importing water-intensive products and exporting commodities that are less water intensive. National water saving through the import of a product can imply saving water at a global level if the flow is from sites with high to sites with low water productivity. The paper analyses the consequences of international virtual water flows on the global and national water budgets. The assessment shows that the total amount of water that would have been required in the importing countries if all imported agricultural products would have been produced domestically is 1605 Gm3/yr. These products are however being produced with only 1253 Gm3/yr in the exporting countries, saving global water resources by 352 Gm3/yr. This saving is 28 per cent of the international virtual water flows related to the trade of agricultural products and 6 per cent of the global water use in agriculture. National policy makers are however not interested in global water savings but in the status of national water resources. Egypt imports wheat and in doing so saves 3.6 Gm3/yr of its national water resources. Water use for producing export commodities can be beneficial, as for instance in Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Brazil, where the use of green water resources (mainly through rain-fed agriculture) for the production of stimulant crops for export has a positive economic impact on the national economy. However, export of 28 Gm3/yr of national water from Thailand related to rice export is at the cost of additional pressure on its blue water resources. Importing a product which has a relatively high ratio of green to blue virtual water content saves global blue water resources that generally have a higher opportunity cost than green water.

The Regulation and Management of Water Resources in Groundwater Over-extraction Area based on ET

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
fawen li ◽  
Wenhui Yan ◽  
Yong Zhao ◽  
Rengui Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Saving ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Crop Water ◽  
Total Rainfall ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Crop Water Consumption

Abstract Because of the shortage of water resources, the phenomenon of groundwater over-extraction is widespread in many parts of the world, which has become a hot issue to be solved. The traditional idea of water resources management only considering blue water (stream flow) can't meet the demand of sustainable utilization of water resources. Blue water accounts for less than 40% of total rainfall, while green water (evapotranspiration) accounts for more than 60% of total rainfall. In the natural environment, vegetation growth mainly depends on green water, which is often neglected. Obviously, the traditional water resources management without considering green water has obvious deficiencies, which can't really reflect the regional water consumption situation in the water resources management. And only by limiting water consumption can achieve the real water saving. In addition, the mode of water resources development and utilization has changed from "supply according to demand" to "demand according to supply". In this background, for many regions with limited water resources, it is impossible to rely on excessive water intake for development, and sustainable development of regional can only be realized by truly controlling water demand. This paper chooses Shijin Irrigation District in the North China Plain as the research area, where agricultural water consumption is high and groundwater over-extraction is serious, and ecological environment is bad. In order to alleviate this situation, comprehensive regulation of water resources based ET is necessary. Therefore, this paper focuses on the concept of ET water resources management and includes green water into water resources assessment. Based on the principle of water balance, the target ET value of crops in the study area is calculated, and the ET value is taken as the target of water resources regulation. The actual water consumption is calculated by Penman-Monteith formula, and reduction of crop water consumption is obtained according to the difference between actual ET and target ET. The reduction in crop water consumption leads to a reduction in demand for water supply, which reduces groundwater extraction. The results of this study can provide necessary technical support for solving the problem of groundwater over-extraction and realizing real water saving.

scholarly journals Water Footprint Assessment and Water-Energy-Food Nexus for Domestic and Institutional Sectors in Klang Valley, Malaysia: a Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.35) ◽  
pp. 244
Author(s):  
Nurul Azmah Safie ◽  
M.A. Malek ◽  
Z. Z. Noor
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Green Water ◽  
World Population ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Reliable Technique ◽  
Klang Valley

Change in climate, increasing world population and industrialization have placed considerable stress on water availability at certain places. Water Footprint accounting is a reliable technique that can be used for a better water management. This study focuses on establishing a doable methodology on water footprint accounting and assessment for direct water consumption from domestic and institutional sectors located in an urbanized environment such as Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur. It includes investigation of Water Footprint at domestic household, schools, colleges, terminals and offices in Klang Valley. The value of water consumption, water production and water pollution will be determined using Hoekstra’s approach for green water, blue water and grey water. In addition, findings from this study will be linked to two other elements namely energy and food. This link is named as Water-Energy-Food Nexus. This study will establish the quantity and criteria of Water-Energy-Food Nexus specifically tailored to domestic and institutional sectors in Klang Valley.

scholarly journals Cradle-to-Gate Water-Related Impacts on Production of Traditional Food Products in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 5274 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.X.H. Bong ◽  
M.A. Malek ◽  
N.H. Mardi ◽  
Marlia M. Hanafiah
Keyword(s):  
Water Footprint ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Pollution Level ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Freshwater Ecotoxicity ◽  
Cradle To Gate

Modern technology and life-style advancements have increased the demand for clean water. Based on this trend it is expected that our water resources will be under stress leading to a high probability of scarcity. This study aims to evaluate the environmental impacts of selected traditional food manufacturing products namely: tempe, lemang, noodle laksam, fish crackers and salted fish in Malaysia. The cradle-to-gate approach on water footprint assessment (WFA) of these selected traditional food products was carried out using Water Footprint Network (WFN) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Freshwater eutrophication (FEP), marine eutrophication (MEP), freshwater ecotoxicity (FETP), marine ecotoxicity (METP) and water consumption (WCP), LCA were investigated using ReCiPe 2016 methodology. Water footprint accounting of blue water footprint (WFblue), green water footprint (WFgreen) and grey water footprint (WFgrey) were established in this study. It was found that total water footprint for lemang production was highest at 3862.13 m3/ton. The lowest total water footprint was found to be fish cracker production at 135.88 m3/ton. Blue water scarcity (WSblue) and water pollution level (WPL) of these selected food products were also determined to identify the environmental hotspots. Results in this study showed that the WSblue and WPL of these selected food products did not exceed 1%, which is considered sustainable. Based on midpoint approach adopted in this study, the characterization factors for FEP, MEP, FETP, METP and WCP on these selected food products were evaluated. It is recommended that alternative ingredients or product processes be designed in order to produce more sustainable lemang.

scholarly journals Analysis of the characteristics of global virtual water trade network using degree and eigenvector centrality, with a focus on food and feed crops

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Hyun Lee ◽  
Rabi H. Mohtar ◽  
Jin-Yong Choi ◽  
Seung-Hwan Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Eigenvector Centrality ◽  
Virtual Water Trade ◽  
Western Asia ◽  
The Usa

Abstract. This study aims to analyse the characteristics of global virtual water trade (GVWT) such as connectivity of each trader, vulnerable importers, and influential countries using degree and eigenvector centrality during the period 2006–2010. The degree centrality was used to measure the connectivity and eigenvector centrality was used to measure the influence on entire GVWT network. Mexico, Egypt, China, Korea Rep., and Japan were classified to vulnerable importers because they imported a lot of virtual water with the low connectivity. Especially, Egypt had 15.3 Gm³ year-1 blue water savings effects through GVWT, thus the vulnerable structure could cause the water shortage problem in importer. The entire GVWT network could be changed by a few nodes which call influential traders, and we figured out the influential traders using eigenvector centrality. In GVWT for food crops, the USA, Russian Federation, Thailand, and Canada had high eigenvector with a large volume of green water trade. In case of blue water trade, western Asia, Pakistan, and India had high eigenvector centrality. For feed crops, the green water trade in the USA, Brazil, and Argentina was the most influential. However, Argentina and Pakistan used the high proportion of internal water resource for virtual water export (32.9 and 25.1 %), thus rest of traders should consider the water resource management in these exporters carefully.

scholarly journals Water footprint in family farming

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e26610615777
Author(s):  
Ana Luiza Grateki Barbosa ◽  
Daniel Brasil Ferreira Pinto ◽  
Rafael Alvarenga Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Family Farming ◽  
Gray Water ◽  
The Family

Currently, the management of water resources has gained greater visibility and has become indispensable, with the need for different methodologies which consider all water used and incorporated in the processes and products. In this way, the water footprint concept has been introduced to calculate the appropriation of fresh water on the part of the humankind. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the water footprint in some sectors of family farming in the municipality of Teófilo Otoni – MG, analyzing the agricultural production of crops cultivated exclusively by the sector in 2017 in Teófilo Otoni. The cultivation of pumpkin, banana, chayote, beans, cassava, Maize, peppers, okra, cabbage, and tangerine were studied. Thus, the total water footprint for the year 2017 was 13,996,735.05 m3.t-1, in which the green water footprint represents 86%, the blue water footprint represents 12.5% and the gray water footprint equals 1.5%. The family farming sector of Teófilo Otoni demands an average of 196.73 liters for a production of R$ 1.00.

scholarly journals Review Penerapan Konsep Kota Hijau Pada Perumahan Klaster

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-40
Author(s):  
Yosi Bruina Waspodo ◽  
Muhammar Khamdevi
Keyword(s):  
Open Space ◽  
City Planning ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Sustainable Transportation ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Space Planning ◽  
Planning And Design ◽  
Green City

This study discusses the analysis of the application of the concept of green city in cluster dwellings in Gading Serpong. The selected case studies are Desa Menteng and Grand Amarillo. The selection of case study objects is based on awards obtained from property awards. This study tries to uncover the theory of the concept of a green city that is now used by P2KH (Green City Organizers' Alloy). Assessment uses indicators determined by P2KH Licenses; Green City Planning and Design, Green Open Space Planning, Efficient Energy Consumption (Green Energy), Effective Water Management (Green Water), Environmentally Friendly Waste Management (Green Waste), Green Buildings, Sustainable Transportation System Implementation (Transportation Green), Increasing the Role of Communities as Green Communities. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative method. The final results found by one cluster according to the specified criteria are not yet clustered.

scholarly journals Impacts of human activities and climate variability on green and blue water flows in the Heihe River Basin in Northwest China

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 9477-9504 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Zang ◽  
J. Liu ◽  
L. Jiang ◽  
D. Gerten
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Heihe River ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Water Flows ◽  
Green And Blue Water

Abstract. Human activities and climate factors both affect the availability of water resources and the sustainability of water management. Especially in already dry regions, water has become more and more scarce with increasing requirements from growing population, economic development and diet shifts. Although progress has been made in understanding variability of runoff, the impacts of climate variability and human activities on flows of both green water (actual evapotranspiration) and blue water (discharge accumulated in the river network) remain less well understood. We study the spatial patterns of blue and green water flows and the impacts on them of human activities and climate variability as simulated by the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for an inland Heihe river basin located in Northwest China. The results show that total green and blue water flow increased from 1980 to 2005, mainly as a result of climate variability (upward precipitation trends). Direct human activities did not significantly change the total green and blue water flow. However, land use change led to a transformation of 206 million m3 from green to blue water flow, while farmland irrigation expansion resulted in a transformation of 66 million m3 from blue to green water flow. The synchronous climate variability caused an increase of green water flow by 469 million m3 and an increase of blue water flow by 146 million m3 at the river basin level, while the geographical distribution showed an uneven change even with reductions of water flows in western sub-basins at midstream. The results are helpful to benchmark the water resources in the context of global change in the inland river basins in China. This study also provides a general approach to investigate the impacts of historical human activities and climate variability on green and blue water flows at the river basin level.

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