scholarly journals Environmental Impacts, Human Health, and Energy Consumption of Nitrogen Management for Maize Production in Subtropical Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Yao ◽  
Wushuai Zhang ◽  
Xingbang Wang ◽  
Ming Lu ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Subtropical Region ◽  
Agronomic Efficiency ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
N Treatment

Abstract Over-application of fertilizers could not improve crop yield and agronomic efficiency, but result in increasing nitrogen (N) surplus and adverse effects on the ecosystem sustainability. Although some previous studies have addressed one or a few environmental aspects in crop production, an integrated assessment for the effects of N fertilizer on multiple environmental impacts, and the optional steps of normalization and weighting is required. A consecutive 2-yr plot-based field experiment was conducted with five N fertilizer levels (0, 90, 180, 270, and 360 kg N ha-1) in maize production at three sites in Southwest China, to evaluate the environmental performance and sustainability through joint use of life cycle assessment (LCA) and energy consumption analysis. Results demonstrated that the optimal N rate (180 kg N ha-1) showed greater potential for maintaining high yield (achieved 86% of the yield potential) and reducing the global warming (-31%), acidification (-47%), eutrophication (-44%) compared to farmers’ practice, and energy depletion potentials, by reducing pollutants emission during the production and transportation of N fertilizer and Nr losses at farm stage. Optimal N treatment indirectly reduced the land use, life-cycle human toxicity, aquatic eco-toxicity, and terrestrial eco-toxicity potentials by improving grain yield and agronomic efficiency. In addition, the optimal N treatment reduced the energy consumption by enhancing the energy use efficiency (EUE) (+74%) and reducing non-renewable energy form (-45%) than the farmer’s practice. This study will provide comprehensive information for both scientists and farmers involved in maize production and N management in subtropical region.

Comprehensive analysis of environmental impacts and energy consumption of biomass-to-methanol and coal-to-methanol via life cycle assessment

Energy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 204 ◽  
pp. 117961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yigang Liu ◽  
Guoxuan Li ◽  
Zhengrun Chen ◽  
Yuanyuan Shen ◽  
Hongru Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis

Environmental Benefits of Cold-in-Place Recycling

2018 ◽  
Vol 2672 (24) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Pakes ◽  
Tuncer Edil ◽  
Morgan Sanger ◽  
Renee Olley ◽  
Tyler Klink
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Water Usage ◽  
Aggregate Consumption ◽  
Environmental Savings ◽  
Lca Results

The conventional highway resurfacing technique of mill and overlay (M&O) partially removes the existing pavement and replaces it with asphalt derived from some recycled but mostly virgin materials. Cold-in-place recycling (CIR) is an alternative highway resurfacing method that partially mills the existing pavement and uses it beneath a thinner layer of new asphalt. CIR has become widely used for convenience and cost benefits, but the environmental impacts are poorly quantified. The objective of this study was to quantify the environmental life cycle benefits of using CIR for highway resurfacing instead of M&O. Material quantities and equipment used for CIR and what would have been used in M&O for the same project were provided by contractors for nine highway resurfacing projects in Wisconsin. With this information, a life cycle assessment (LCA) tool was used to determine the relative environmental impacts of the two methods, with energy consumption, water usage, and carbon dioxide emissions chosen as the metrics of the LCA. Results show average environmental savings of 23% in energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions and 20% in water consumption when using CIR instead of M&O for highway resurfacing. Additionally, CIR reduced virgin aggregate consumption by 37%. Environmental savings achieved by using CIR were found to be directly related to the reduction in volume of new hot mix asphalt (HMA) used, and to the reduction in transportation of materials to and from the site. Linear correlations that can be used to estimate savings of future CIR projects were projected.

scholarly journals Developing Active Canopy Sensor-Based Precision Nitrogen Management Strategies for Maize in Northeast China

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinbing Wang ◽  
Yuxin Miao ◽  
Rui Dong ◽  
Zhichao Chen ◽  
Yanjie Guan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optimization Algorithm ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
N Management

Precision nitrogen (N) management (PNM) strategies are urgently needed for the sustainability of rain-fed maize (Zea mays L.) production in Northeast China. The objective of this study was to develop an active canopy sensor (ACS)-based PNM strategy for rain-fed maize through improving in-season prediction of yield potential (YP0), response index to side-dress N based on harvested yield (RIHarvest), and side-dress N agronomic efficiency (AENS). Field experiments involving six N rate treatments and three planting densities were conducted in three growing seasons (2015–2017) in two different soil types. A hand-held GreenSeeker sensor was used at V8-9 growth stage to collect normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and ratio vegetation index (RVI). The results indicated that NDVI or RVI combined with relative plant height (NDVI*RH or RVI*RH) were more strongly related to YP0 (R2 = 0.44–0.78) than only using NDVI or RVI (R2 = 0.26–0.68). The improved N fertilizer optimization algorithm (INFOA) using in-season predicted AENS optimized N rates better than the N fertilizer optimization algorithm (NFOA) using average constant AENS. The INFOA-based PNM strategies could increase marginal returns by 212 $ ha−1 and 70 $ ha−1, reduce N surplus by 65% and 62%, and improve N use efficiency (NUE) by 4%–40% and 11%–65% compared with farmer’s typical N management in the black and aeolian sandy soils, respectively. It is concluded that the ACS-based PNM strategies have the potential to significantly improve profitability and sustainability of maize production in Northeast China. More studies are needed to further improve N management strategies using more advanced sensing technologies and incorporating weather and soil information.

Life Cycle Assessment of Silicate Cementitious Material Production Using Calcium Carbide Sludge

2014 ◽  
Vol 599 ◽  
pp. 324-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Ping Cui ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Zhi Hong Wang ◽  
Li Li Zhao ◽  
Fei Fei Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Calcium Carbide ◽  
Cementitious Material ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Drying Process ◽  
Cement Production

The environmental impacts of cement production using two pre-drying processes, i.e., coal-fired pre-drying process and pre-drying process by waste heat from kiln tail process were analyzed and compared through life cycle assessment (LCA). The results show that the energy consumption, GWP, AP, POCP, HT and EP of pre-drying process by waste heat from kiln tail are about 1%, 2%, 5.2%, 5% ,3.5% and 3.8% lower than coal-fired process; therefore the application of pre-drying process by waste heat from kiln tail has obvious environmental benefits.

scholarly journals The impacts of spring basal and side dressing on maize yield

2014 ◽  
pp. 83-86
Author(s):  
Péter Ragán
Keyword(s):  
Maize Yield ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Chernozem Soil ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Stress Effects ◽  
Humus Layer ◽  
The University ◽  
Very High

The yield potential of maize is very high. According to Tollenaar (1983), maize yield potential is as high as 25 t ha-1 (absolute dry yield) which is the highest among all cereals. In order to fully utilise this high yield potential, proper nutrient replenishment is of chief importance among all agrotechnical factors. The aim of research was to examine the effect of nitrogen fertiliser applied as basal and side dressing on maize yield. The measurements were performed at the Látókép experiment site (47° 33’ N, 21° 26’ E, 111 m asl) of the Centre for Agricultural Sciences of the University of Debrecen on mid-heavy calcareous chernozem soil with deep humus layer in an established experiment in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The trial design was split-split-plot with two replications. Based on the experiment results, it can be established that the nutrient uptake of maize is greatly dependent on the amount of water store in the soil. From the aspect of the development of the maize plant and water supply, the most determinant factor was the distribution of precipitation over the growing season and not the amount precipitation. This is shown by the fact there was only 276 mm precipitation – which was favourably distributed – in 2012 to increase the availability of nutrients and the main average was the highest in this year (14.394 t ha-1). Spring basal dressing helped maize development in all three years even on chernozem soil which is well supplied with nutrients. Although the effect of side dressing did not result in any yield increase, it could still contribute to mitigating the stress effects caused by environmental factors. Altogether, nutrient supply adapted to the various development stages of maize can favourably affect the success of maize production.

scholarly journals Generating Building’s Operating Energy Automatically by Energy Plus and C#

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Yiming Song
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Air Gap ◽  
Insulating Layer ◽  
Energy Plus ◽  
Use Phase ◽  
Wall Materials

Abstract—The use phase of buildings always contributes to the largest share of life cycle energy consumption and life cycle environmental impacts. This paper selects different wall materials, provides a possible method to calculate operating energy consumption of alternative wall assemblies automatically, and suggests the influences that different layers have on operating energy. The results show that the operating energy consumption varies according to the insulating layer while the thickness of air gap has a negligible impact on the operating energy. And it can be seen that the material and thickness of insulation has a great influence in the building’s operating energy and there should be more research focusing on the method to generate life cycle energy in order to optimize the buildings performance in the architectural design.

Energy Consumption and Emission of Pollutants from Electric Bicycles

2014 ◽  
Vol 505-506 ◽  
pp. 327-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tie Zhu Li ◽  
Fang Qian ◽  
Chen Su
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Short Distance ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Use Stage ◽  
Electric Bicycles

Electric bicycles (EBs) are now becoming the main vehicles for short-distance trips because of their speediness, flexibility and convenience in many cities in China. However, these benefits come at a cost. This study analyzed the energy consumption and emission of pollutants at every stage of the EB life cycle (production, use, maintenance and recycling) by using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The environmental impacts and the energy consumption in production and use were quantified and compared with other competing modes of transport, such as bicycles, buses, motorcycles and cars. The results show that the energy consumption and emissions of pollutants by EBs occur mainly in the use stage, and specifically in the process of electricity production and battery change. The emissions of pollutants by EBs per person per kilometer are several times smaller than the values for motorcycles and cars, more or less equivalent to buses and higher than bicycles.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Heaven Mushroom Product

2021 ◽  
Vol 228 ◽  
pp. 02003
Author(s):  
Phatcharapron Sukkanta ◽  
Krittaphas Mongkolkoldhumrongkul
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Functional Unit ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Cradle To Gate ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Climate change affects all regions around the world, so efforts to minimize the environmental impacts of climate change have high importance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the environmental impacts on the production of heaven mushroom product at the Ban Tai Khod community in Rayong, Thailand. In this study, cradle to gate was selected as the system boundary and functional unit from the life cycle assessment method. The results found that the process of building a mushroom house has the highest greenhouse gas emissions of 1, 496.609 kgCO2eq. The mushroom cubes mixing process has the highest energy consumption throughout the production process, requiring an energy consumption of 5.595 kWh. The greenhouse gas is released amount 3, 588.362 kgCO2eq. throughout this process. Additionally, the payback period of the heaven mushroom product is 0.92 years.

scholarly journals ANALISIS POTENSI DAMPAK LINGKUNGAN DARI BUDIDAYA TEBU MENGGUNAKAN PENDEKATAN LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA)

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-64
Author(s):  
Arieyanti Dwi Astuti
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Photochemical Oxidation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Human Toxicity

ENGLISHMinimizing the adverse impact of sugarcane plantation can be carried out through many ways including increasing the efficiency of energy and natural resources consumption as well as improving the management of waste and emissions. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was applied to assess the environmental impact of sugarcane plantation without considering sugarcane usage as a raw material in the sugar industry (gate to gate). CML (baseline) was used as Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) method. This study aimed to: 1) examine the natural resources and energy consumption; 2) analyze and identify potential environmental impacts; and 3) recommend alternative improvements to reduce environmental impacts. It used primary data and secondary data. The results showed that: 1) natural resources were used to produce 16,097 ton of sugarcane or 1 ton of sugar, were land requirement (0.233 ha), water consumption (2,223.117 m3), and energy consumption (19,234.254 MJ); 2) there are five most potential environmental impacts which are analyzed by using openLCA including climate change (134,275.23 kg CO2 eq), eutrophication (120.24 kg PO4 eq), acidification (1.54 kg SO2 eq), photochemical oxidation (0.36 kg ethylene eq), and human toxicity (0.15 kg 1.4-dichlorobenzene eq); 3) alternative recommendation could be conducted by reducing the usage of inorganic fertilizer, and utilizing cane trash (dry leaves, green leaves, and tops) as boiler fuel for production process in sugar factory. INDONESIABudidaya tebu menimbulkan dampak negatif terhadap lingkungan sehingga diperlukan upaya untuk meminimalisir dampak negatif tersebut melalui efisiensi konsumsi energi, konsumsi sumber daya alam (SDA), serta pengelolaan limbah dan emisi. LCA merupakan salah satu metode untuk menganalisis dampak lingkungan dari budidaya tebu tanpa mempertimbangkan penggunaan tebu panen sebagai bahan baku industri gula (gate to gate). Metode yang digunakan untuk LCIA adalah CML (baseline). Penelitian ini  bertujuan untuk: 1) menghitung penggunaan SDA dan energy, 2) menganalisis dan mengidentifikasi potensi dampak lingkungan, dan 3) menyajikan rekomendasi perbaikan untuk menurunkan dampak lingkungan. Data penelitian berupa data primer dan data sekunder. Unit fungsional pada penelitian ini adalah produksi 1 ton gula untuk satu tahun. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: 1) konsumsi SDA berupa lahan tebu seluas 0,233 ha, air sebanyak 2.223,117 m3 dan energi sebesar 19.234,254 MJ; 2) potensi dampak lingkungan yang dianalisis menggunakan OpenLCA menghasilkan 5 dampak lingkungan tertinggi, yaitu climate change (134.275,23 kg CO2 eq), eutrophication (120,24 kg PO4 eq), acidification (1,54 kg SO2 eq), photochemical oxidation (0,36 kg ethylene eq), and human toxicity (0,15 kg 1,4-dichlorobenzene eq); 3) alternatif perbaikan yang direkomendasikan berupa penggunaan pupuk anorganik dengan dosis yang tepat dan memanfaatkan limbah pasca pane n (daun kering, serasah) sebagai bahan bakar boiler untuk proses produksi industri gula.

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