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Simon Bell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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comparative life cycle assessment of margarine and butter consumed in the uk germany and france
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2010Co-Authors: Katarina Nilsson, Anna Flysjö, Sarah Sim, Nicole Unger, Jennifer Davis, Simon BellAbstract:The goal of the study was to compare the environmental impact of butter and margarine. Altogether, seven products were studied in three European markets: UK, Germany and France. The approach used for the analysis is descriptive (attributional) LCA. The SimaPro software PRe 2007 was used to perform the calculations. Data for the production chain of the margarine products (production of raw materials, processing, packaging and logistics) were compiled from Unilever manufacturing sites, suppliers and from literature. The edible oil data inventories have been compared with those in proprietary databases (ecoinvent and SIK food database) and they show a high degree of similarity. For the butter products, data on milk production and butter processing were taken from various published studies for the countries of interest. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for a number of parameters (functional unit, allocation method, impact of using different oil, milk and dairy data, impact of estimating GHG emissions from land use change for certain oils) in order to evaluate their influence on the comparison between margarine and butter. The sensitivity analyses demonstrate that the initial results and conclusions are robust. The results show that margarine has significantly lower environmental impact (less than half) compared to butter for three impact categories global warming Potential, Eutrophication Potential and acidification Potential. For primary energy demand, the margarines have a lower impact than butter, but the difference is not as significant. Margarines use approximately half of the land required used for producing the butter products. For POCP, the impact is higher for the margarines due to the use of hexane in the oil extraction (no similar process occurs for butter). The margarine products analysed here are more environmentally favourable than the butter products. In all three markets (UK, DE and FR) the margarine products are significantly better than the butter products for the categories global warming Potential, Eutrophication Potential and acidification Potential. These findings are also valid when comparing margarines and butters between the markets; for this reason they are likely to be of general relevance for other Western European countries where similar margarine and butter production systems are found.
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Comparative life cycle assessment of margarine and butter consumed in the UK, Germany and France
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2010Co-Authors: Katarina Nilsson, Anna Flysjö, Sarah Sim, Nicole Unger, Jennifer Davis, Simon BellAbstract:Purpose The goal of the study was to compare the environmental impact of butter and margarine. Altogether, seven products were studied in three European markets: UK, Germany and France. Methods The approach used for the analysis is descriptive (attributional) LCA. The SimaPro software PRé 2007 was used to perform the calculations. Data for the production chain of the margarine products (production of raw materials, processing, packaging and logistics) were compiled from Unilever manufacturing sites, suppliers and from literature. The edible oil data inventories have been compared with those in proprietary databases (ecoinvent and SIK food database) and they show a high degree of similarity. For the butter products, data on milk production and butter processing were taken from various published studies for the countries of interest. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for a number of parameters (functional unit, allocation method, impact of using different oil, milk and dairy data, impact of estimating GHG emissions from land use change for certain oils) in order to evaluate their influence on the comparison between margarine and butter. The sensitivity analyses demonstrate that the initial results and conclusions are robust. Results The results show that margarine has significantly lower environmental impact (less than half) compared to butter for three impact categories global warming Potential, Eutrophication Potential and acidification Potential. For primary energy demand, the margarines have a lower impact than butter, but the difference is not as significant. Margarines use approximately half of the land required used for producing the butter products. For POCP, the impact is higher for the margarines due to the use of hexane in the oil extraction (no similar process occurs for butter). Conclusions The margarine products analysed here are more environmentally favourable than the butter products. In all three markets (UK, DE and FR) the margarine products are significantly better than the butter products for the categories global warming Potential, Eutrophication Potential and acidification Potential. These findings are also valid when comparing margarines and butters between the markets; for this reason they are likely to be of general relevance for other Western European countries where similar margarine and butter production systems are found.
David Kay - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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an assessment of the impacts of a tidal renewable energy scheme on the Eutrophication Potential of the severn estuary uk
Computers & Geosciences, 2014Co-Authors: Margaret Osikhofe Kadiri, Reza Ahmadian, Bettina Nicole Bockelmannevans, Roger Alexander Falconer, David KayAbstract:The Potential impacts of ebb-only (one-way) and flood-ebb (two-way) modes of operation of a tidal barrage on the Eutrophication Potential of the Severn Estuary were investigated in this study using the simple modelling approach adopted by the UK's Comprehensive Studies Task Team (CSTT). The model predictions were compared against CSTT thresholds for assessing Eutrophication in estuaries and coastal waters. For the no barrage scenario, as well as the ebb-only and flood-ebb operating modes, the estuary was found to be Potentially eutrophic as the predicted equilibrium nutrient concentrations and Potential maximum phytoplankton biomass chlorophyll concentrations exceeded the threshold limits. Potential maximum phytoplankton primary productivity under both ebb-only and flood-ebb operating modes were found to be noticeably higher than that for the no barrage scenario. This is believed to be due to a combination of increased water residence time and greater light availability behind the barrage. However, the conditions for phytoplankton production are likely to be more favourable under ebb-only operating mode as the Potential for maximum phytoplankton primary production was found to be significantly increased under ebb-only operating mode, with largely decreased suspended particulate matter concentration compared to flood-ebb operating mode where only a small reduction in suspended particulate matter concentration is predicted.
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impact of different marine renewable energy scheme operating modes on the Eutrophication Potential of the severn estuary
2013Co-Authors: Margaret Osikhofe Kadiri, Reza Ahmadian, Bettina Nicole Bockelmannevans, David Kay, Roger Alexander FalconerAbstract:The Potential impacts of two different modes of operation of a tidal barrage (i.e. ebb-only and flood-ebb operating modes) on the Eutrophication Potential of the Severn Estuary were assessed in this study using a simple modelling approach adopted by the UK's Comprehensive Studies Task Team (CSTT). The model predictions were compared against CSTT thresholds for assessing Eutrophication in estuaries and coastal waters. The estuary was found to be Potentially eutrophic under no barrage conditions as well as under the ebb-only and the flood-ebb operating modes. Potential maximum primary production was found to be significantly higher under the ebb-only and the flood-ebb operating modes compared to the no barrage condition. This is believed to be a direct consequence of increased water residence time and greater light availability behind the barrage. However, the conditions for phytoplankton growth are likely to be more favorable under ebb-only operating mode as the Potential maximum primary production was found to be significantly greater under ebb-only operating mode with largely decreased turbidity compared to flood-ebb operating mode with only a small reduction in turbidity.
Chao Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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optimal reservoir operation using multi objective evolutionary algorithms for Potential estuarine Eutrophication control
Journal of Environmental Management, 2018Co-Authors: Peifang Wang, Chao Wang, Xun WangAbstract:Increased nutrient loads and changed nutrient ratios in estuarine waters have enhanced the occurrence of Eutrophication and harmful algae blooms. Most of these consequences are caused by the new proliferation of toxin-producing non-siliceous algae. In this study, we propose a multi-objective reservoir operation model based on 10-day time scale for estuarine Eutrophication control to reduce the Potential non-siliceous algae outbreak. This model takes the hydropower generation and social economy water requirement in reservoir into consideration, minimizing the ICEP (indicator of estuarine Eutrophication Potential) as an ecological objective. Three modern multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) are applied to solve the proposed reservoir operation model. The Three Gorges Reservoir and its operation effects on the Yangtze Estuary were chosen as a case study. The performances of these three algorithms were evaluated through a diagnostic assessment framework of modern MOEAs' abilities. The results showed that the multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition with differential evolution operator (MOEA/D-DE) achieved the best performance for the operation model. It indicates that single implementation of hydrological management cannot make effective control of Potential estuarine Eutrophication, while combined in-estuary TP concentration control and reservoir optimal operation is a more realistic, crucial and effective strategy for controlling Eutrophication Potential of non-siliceous algae proliferation. Under optimized operation with controlled TP concentration and estuarine water withdrawal of 1470 m3/s, ecological satiety rate for estuarine drinking water source increased to 77.78%, 88.89% and 83.33% for wet, normal and dry years, the corresponding values in practical operation were only 72.22%, 58.33% and 55.56%, respectively. The results suggest that these operations will not negatively affect the economic and social interests. Therefore, the proposed integrated management approaches can provide guidance for water managers to reach a stable trophic control of estuarine waters.
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towards more accurate life cycle assessment of biological wastewater treatment plants a review
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2015Co-Authors: Yiwen Zang, Wenlong Zhang, Chao Wang, Yi Li, Wei XiongAbstract:Abstract Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been proved to act as a desirable tool to evaluate the environmental impacts of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, the application of LCA methodology in the field of wastewater treatment is still in progress. This paper has made a review of the LCA studies dealing with biological (activated sludge) WWTPs, with the aim to provide qualitative interpretation of the associated environmental impact categories: Eutrophication Potential, global warming Potential, toxicity-related impacts, energy balance, water use, land use and other impact categories. Possible sources for each impact category of WWTPs are summarized in order to provide information about the critical aspects in WWTP systems that might influence LCA results. Moreover, recent development and the application status of characterization models for each impact category have been reviewed. The analysis indicates that it is important to carry out site-specific LCA studies on WWTPs. The specificity is most typical for the Eutrophication Potential and toxicity-related impact categories, which need implementation of spatial differentiated characterization methods, considering the emission location, spatial dimensions (transfer between environmental compartments) and even properties of pollutants. Although remarkable progresses have been obtained, their applications in the field of wastewater treatment are still limited. For the global warming Potential impact category, it is most crucial to calculate accurately the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, because nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), as well as fossil origin carbon dioxide (CO2) in wastewater have the Potential to make considerable contributions. In the end, prospective is made about which aspects in WWTPs are candidates for further LCA studies. Overall, there is still room for pursuing more accurate results when applying LCA to WWTPs.
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an optimization approach to runoff regulation for Potential estuarine Eutrophication control model development and a case study of yangtze estuary china
Ecological Modelling, 2013Co-Authors: Chao Wang, Peifang Wang, Qiyuan Sun, Jun HouAbstract:a b s t r a c t In recent years, many methods have been proposed to cope with Eutrophication, a serious ecological problem in estuaries. Many of these problems have resulted from the new production of non-siliceous algae. In this paper, a runoff optimized regulation model for Eutrophication control was developed to limit the Potential of new non-siliceous algae production, which, in this paper, is defined as Eutrophication Potential. At the beginning of the model, a formula of silicon flux was modified by adding a dam retention coefficient and a turbidity maximum zone (TMZ) retention coefficient. Afterwards, the formula was used to improve the expression of the ICEP (indicator of coastal Eutrophication Potential) for a more exact result. The ICEP (treated as an ecology objective to limit the Potential of sustaining new production of non-siliceous algae), harmonious index, and cost function were then integrated into the optimization model, at which point the ICOA (immune clone optimization algorithm) was proposed to solve this model. We then chose the Yangtze Estuary as a case study to verify the performance of the optimization model, and used an uncertainty analysis, a comparative analysis, and a sensitivity analysis to assess the model's performance. The results show the best combination of weight factors for integrating objectives is � 1 = 0.48, � 2 = 0.32, � 3 = 0.2. The optimized runoff performs well at keeping the value of the ICEP within reasonable limits while at the same time meeting the goal of economy and society in the Yangtze Estuary. Finally, we discuss transfer rates in different exceedance probabilities, illustrating that the optimized runoff is feasible for this study area, and the results can then be used as a point of reference regarding water transfer decisions.
Zbigniew Kowalewski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mitigation of Eutrophication caused by wastewater discharge: A simulation-based approach
Ambio, 2020Co-Authors: Michał Preisner, Elena Neverova-dziopak, Zbigniew KowalewskiAbstract:Mitigation of Eutrophication, intensified by excessive nutrient load discharge in wastewaters regulated by restrictive legal requirements, remains one of today’s most important global problems. Despite implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the Urban Wastewater Directive and the HELCOM recommendations, the actual condition of surface water is still not satisfactory. In response to the above, the study presents an alternative approach for surface water protection against Eutrophication based on the selection of appropriate nutrient removal technologies. An activated sludge model simulation was used to enable the identification of environmentally justified nutrient removal systems with lowest Eutrophication Potential of treated wastewater conditioned by bioavailable nutrient forms content. Based on the outcome of the study, the 3-stage Bardenpho system was identified as the most efficient for bioavailable phosphorus removal, while the Johannesburg system proved to have the highest efficiency for bioavailable nitrogen removal. The proposed Eutrophication mitigation approach underlines the need for a reconsideration of current legal regulations which ignore nutrient bioavailability and key Eutrophication limiting factors.
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analysis of Eutrophication Potential of municipal wastewater
Water Science and Technology, 2020Co-Authors: Michal Preisner, Elena Neverovadziopak, Zbigniew KowalewskiAbstract:One of the main factors of the increased Eutrophication level of surface waters is the high anthropogenic loads of biogenic substances discharged into water bodies. Municipal wastewaters, containing large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus play one of the key roles in the acceleration of Eutrophication intensity. The main direction in the prevention of Eutrophication caused by wastewater discharge has become the reduction of nutrient loads introduced to wastewater receivers in accordance with strict legal requirements achievable only in advanced technologies. The treated wastewater quality standards are actually developed for total nitrogen and total phosphorus content, disregarding the fact that Eutrophication Potential of treated wastewater is determined by the content of non-organic nutrient forms directly bioavailable for water vegetation. That is why the currently used energy-consuming and expensive technologies do not always guarantee effective protection against Eutrophication and its consequences. The goal of the study was to analyze the most widely used wastewater treatment technologies for enhanced biological nutrients removal in treated wastewater Eutrophication Potential. For this purpose, an analysis of the operation of 18 wastewater treatment plants based on different technologies in Finland, Canada, Poland, Russia and the United States was realized. The analysis concluded that the Eutrophication Potential of treated wastewater to a large extent is conditioned by the applied technology. The results of the research concluded that the Eutrophication Potential can serve an important criterion for decision-making regarding the proper selection of wastewater treatment technologies aimed at Eutrophication mitigation.
Josette Garnier - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Landward Perspective of Coastal Eutrophication Potential Under Future Climate Change: The Seine River Case (France)
Frontiers in Marine Science, 2018Co-Authors: Mélanie Raimonet, Vincent Thieu, Marie Silvestre, Ludovic Oudin, Christophe Rabouille, Robert Vautard, Josette GarnierAbstract:Studies quantifying the impact of climate change have so far mostly examined atmospheric variables, and few are evaluating the cascade of aquatic impacts that will occur along the land–ocean continuum until the ultimate impacts on coastal Eutrophication Potential. In this study, a new hydro-biogeochemical modeling chain has been developed, based on the coupling of the generic pyNuts-Riverstrahler biogeochemical model and the GR4J-CEMANEIGE hydrological model, and applied to the Seine River basin (France). Averaged responses of biogeochemical variables to climate-induced hydrological changes were assessed using climate forcing based on 12 projections of precipitation and temperature (BC-CORDEX) for the stabilization (RCP 4.5) and the increasing (RCP 8.5) CO2 emission scenarios. Beyond the amount of nutrients delivered to the sea, we calculated the indicator of coastal Eutrophication Potential (ICEP). The models run with the RCP4.5 stabilization scenario show low variations in hydrological regimes and water quality, while five of the six models run with the increasing CO2 emissions scenario (RCP8.5) leads to more intense extreme streamflow (i.e., higher maximum flows, lower and longer minimum flows), resulting in the degradation of water quality. For the driest RCP 8.5 projection, median biogeochemical impacts induced by decreasing discharge (until −270 m3 s−1 in average) are mostly located downstream of major wastewater treatment plants. During spring bloom, e.g., in May, the associated higher residence time leads to an increase of phytoplankton biomass (+31% in average), with a simultaneous −23% decrease of silicic acid, followed downstream by a −9% decrease of oxygen. Later during low flow, major increases in nitrate and phosphate concentrations (until +19% and +32% in average) are expected. For all considered scenarios, high ICEP values (above zero) lasted, indicating that coastal Eutrophication is not expected to decrease with changing hydrological conditions in the future. Maximum values are even expected to be higher some years. This study deliberately evaluates the impact of modified hydrology on biogeochemistry without considering the simultaneous alteration of water temperatures, in order to disentangle the causes of climate change-induced impact. It will serve as a first comparative step toward a more complete modeling experiment of climate change impacts on aquatic systems.
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landward perspective of coastal Eutrophication Potential under future climate change the seine river case france
Frontiers in Marine Science, 2018Co-Authors: Mélanie Raimonet, Vincent Thieu, Marie Silvestre, Ludovic Oudin, Christophe Rabouille, Robert Vautard, Josette GarnierAbstract:Studies quantifying the impact of climate change have so far mostly examined atmospheric variables, and few are evaluating the cascade of aquatic impacts that will occur along the land–ocean continuum until the ultimate impacts on coastal Eutrophication Potential. In this study, a new hydro-biogeochemical modeling chain has been developed, based on the coupling of the generic pyNuts-Riverstrahler biogeochemical model and the GR4J-CEMANEIGE hydrological model, and applied to the Seine River basin (France). Averaged responses of biogeochemical variables to climate-induced hydrological changes were assessed using climate forcing based on twelve projections of precipitation and temperature (BC-CORDEX) for the stabilization (RCP 4.5) and the increasing (RCP 8.5) CO2 emission scenarios. Beyond the amount of nutrients delivered to the sea, we calculated the indicator of coastal Eutrophication Potential (ICEP). The models run with the RCP4.5 stabilization scenario show low variations in hydrological regimes and water quality, while five of the six models run with the increasing CO2 emissions scenario (RCP8.5) leads to more intense extreme streamflow (i.e., higher maximum flows, lower and longer minimum flows), resulting in the degradation of water quality. For the driest RCP 8.5 projection, median biogeochemical impacts induced by decreasing discharge (until -270 m3 s-1 in average) are mostly located downstream of major wastewater treatment plants. During spring bloom, e.g., in May, the associated higher residence time leads to an increase of phytoplankton biomass (+31% in average), with a simultaneous -23% decrease of silicic acid, followed downstream by a -9% decrease of oxygen. Later during low flow, major increases in nitrate and phosphate concentrations (until +19% and +32% in average) are expected. For all considered scenarios, high ICEP values (above zero) lasted, indicating that coastal Eutrophication is not expected to decrease with changing hydrological conditions in the future. Maximum values are even expected to be higher some years. This study deliberately evaluates the impact of modified hydrology on biogeochemistry without considering the simultaneous alteration of water temperatures, in order to disentangle the causes of climate change-induced impact. It will serve as a first comparative step toward a more complete modeling experiment of climate change impacts on aquatic systems.
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n p si nutrient export ratios and ecological consequences in coastal seas evaluated by the icep approach
Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 2010Co-Authors: Josette Garnier, Vincent Thieu, Arthur H W Beusen, Gilles Billen, Lex BouwmanAbstract:[1] The Indicator for Coastal Eutrophication Potential (ICEP) for river nutrient export of nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica at the global scale was first calculated from available measurement data. Positive values of ICEP indicate an excess of nitrogen and phosphorus over silica and generally coincide with Eutrophication. The sign of ICEP based on measured nutrient fluxes was in good agreement with the corresponding one calculated from the Global-NEWS models for more than 5000 watersheds in the world. Calculated ICEP for the year 2050 based on Global NEWS data for the four Millennium Ecosystem Assessment scenarios show increasing values particularly in developing countries. For further evaluation of the ICEP at the outlet of the rivers of the world based on measurements, there is a need for additional determination silica fluxes and concentrations, which are scarcely documented.
