Loading...
Publication
Life cycle assessment of floating wetland islands for crop production
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 781.3 KB | Adobe PDF |
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Background: Floating wetland islands (FWI) are innovative, nature-based solutions (NbS) for water management and ecological restoration, rooted in circular economy and sustainable development. Briefly, they consist of aquatic plants, a floating platform and an anchoring system. Plant shoots grow above the water surface, while their roots extend directly into the water column. Figure 1 shows the growth of a FWI system from its installation, stabilization and development, highlighting its functioning as a biofilter capable of absorbing nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Previous studies have shown the potential of using non-traditional plants as hydroponic crops for human consumption, taking advantage of the nutrients present in the water and optimizing the use of space (see Table 1). Commonly, fast-growing wetland emergent plants are used in FWI systems, although they are not marketable. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of crop production in FWI using a hydroponic system, estimating the potential yield per square meter. Additionally, a life cycle assessment (LCA) will be performed to quantify the environmental impact and ensure resource efficiency in this innovative agricultural approach. Life cycle assessment: LCA is applied to FWI to analyze their environmental impact from manufacture to disposal. This cradle-to-grave approach takes into account the limits and scope of the system. LCA quantifies the environmental benefits associated with water treatment and crop production. Figure 2 shows a LCA schematic, which identifies the key stages of a product's life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to its final disposal. Expected results: The feasibility of hydroponic crop production in FWI is evaluated by analyzing yield per square meter, plant health and establishment, with the objective of optimizing the sustainability and efficiency of the system according to the proposed approach.
Description
Keywords
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Carrillo, V., Pereira, S., Afonso, C. A., & Calheiros, C. S. C. (2025). Life cycle assessment of floating wetland islands for crop production. Poster session presented at 18º Encontro de Investigação Jovem da U. Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Publisher
CC License
Without CC licence