life cycle assessment to improve nitrogen use efficiency
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Technologies and Strategies to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Egg Supply Chains
Published in the Journal of Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Authors:
Shiva Zargar, Ph.D. Candidate at the Sustainable Bioeconomy Research Group, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Dr. Davoud Heidari at the Food Systems PRISM Lab, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada
Dr. Baishali Dutta at the Food Systems PRISM Lab, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada
Professor Goretty Dias at the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
Professor Nathan Pelletier at the Food Systems PRISM Lab, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada
Efficient nitrogen use is a critical aspect of sustainable agricultural practices, especially in egg production supply chains. Our publication, "Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Technologies and Strategies to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Egg Supply Chains," delves into various strategies to enhance nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and reduce emissions. This research is part of Shiva’s second master’s degree at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus, under the supervision of Professor Nathan Pelletier.
Purpose of the Study
Nitrogen inefficiency in egg supply chains presents several economic, health, and environmental challenges. Our study aims to evaluate and compare the environmental impacts of different NUE strategies and technologies to mitigate nitrogen emissions and improve overall efficiency.
Key Findings
We analyzed seven scenarios representing different NUE strategies using ISO 14044 compliant life cycle assessment (LCA) and NUE calculations. The scenarios included:
Biochar Addition to Soil
Application of the “4Rs” Approach: Right source, Right rate, Right time, Right place in fertilizer management for feed input production.
Reduced Crude Protein Diets: Supplemented with synthetic amino acids.
Use of Acid Scrubbers: In poultry barns.
Biochar Addition to Stored Manure
Manure Incorporation: At the time of land application.
Joint Application of All Strategies
The functional unit for the assessment was one tonne of egg production at the farm gate in Canada. Here are the key findings:
Acid Scrubbers: Implementing acid scrubbers in poultry barns resulted in the most significant increase in NUE (13%), and significantly lowered acidifying (21%) and eutrophying (16%) emissions compared to the baseline.
Combined Strategies: The combined application of all strategies increased NUE by 15% and reduced acidification, global warming, and eutrophication potential. However, it also resulted in a significant increase in energy consumption.
Biochar and 4Rs Approach: These strategies showed varying benefits across different environmental impacts, highlighting the need for context-specific application.
Broader Implications
Each NUE strategy presents potential benefits and trade-offs, depending on the environmental impacts considered. The use of LCA is essential for informed decision-making, as it helps identify the most effective strategies while avoiding unintended consequences such as burden shifting.
Conclusion
Our research highlights the need for a nuanced approach to improving nitrogen use efficiency in egg supply chains. By implementing the identified strategies and technologies, the agricultural sector can enhance NUE, reduce environmental impacts, and move towards more sustainable practices.
For more details, you can access the full paper here.
Contact Information:
For further inquiries or consulting services related to nitrogen use efficiency and sustainable agricultural practices, please contact hello@buildneutral.ca