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LCA-modelling (EASEWASTE) of growth media preparation: comparison between peat and compost

Plant production industry uses large quantities of peat for preparing growth media. Peatlands are significant reservoirs of carbon, which is released back to the atmosphere once peat is used as a soil amendment and degraded. Excavation of peatlands, also including the fuel used for the machinery, may pose an impact on the environment. Compost cansubstitute peat in growth media preparation.

Life Cycle Inventory for average peat used in Denmark is based on literature data and includes the 4 life cycle phases of peat: preparation of peatland, extraction and processing of peat, transportation, and use on land. Life Cycle Inventory of compost is based on data collected and included in the EASEWASTE database. Collection and transportation of waste are not considered. Compost from garden waste is assumed to be produced in a windrow composting plant. The literature data were supplemented with laboratory data. Different types of compost were collected and sent for complete physical-chemical characterization. Leaching potentials were measured with L/S 10 leaching tests. The two inventories were compared by means of EASEWASTE, an LCA model developed for integrated solid waste management (Kirkeby et al., 2005). The EDIP methodology was used for the impact assessment over 100 time horizon. The figure on the left presents the potential non-toxic environmental impacts for compost (1000 kg) and peat (285 kg). With regards to global warming, compost performs better because it is carbon neutral and part of its carbon is bound to soil after 100 years, while all the fossil carbon contained in peat is assumed released to the atmosphere. Nutrient enrichment (eutrophication) results are mainly determined (for compost) by the offsetting of P fertilizers, the production of which implies a relevant discharge of phosphate into freshwater bodies. Emissions of NOx during combustion of fossil fuels in machineries and transportation means are the main contributors to eutrophication and acidification during the life cycle of peat. The figure on the right presents qualitative results for the potential toxic environmental impact assessment. It can be concluded (human toxicities) that there is a benefit in replacing mineral fertilizers (especially P), cause the environmental load of the metals released during the production is being avoided. Compost leachate has 3-20 times higher concentrations of metals and other compounds than the peat leachate. Therefore, compost has a potential impact on groundwater resources 10 times bigger than peat when used on land. The higher heavy metals content of
compost explains the bigger impact with regards to the other impact categories.

Copyright:	© European Compost Network ECN e.V.
Quelle:	Orbit 2008 (Oktober 2008)
Seiten:	7
Preis:	€ 6,00
Autor:	Alessio Boldrin T.H. Christensen
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