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Title Bioextraction potential of seaweed in Denmark - An instrument for circular nutrient management
ID_Doc 46
Authors Seghetta, M; Torring, D; Bruhn, A; Thomsen, M
Published Science Of The Total Environment, 563,
Structure
Section 1: Introduction


This article analyzes the science of seaweed cultivation as a tool for circular nutrient management. The authors performed a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of three scenarios for seaweed biomass management, which were compared to existing waste management systems. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of seaweed for reducing eutrophication levels in aquatic environments.

Section 2: Methods and Materials


The study used the SimaPro software and the ecoinvent v3.1 inventory to conduct the LCA. The three scenarios were:

1. Bioresource management: seaweed used as fertilizer (MaFe)
2. Waste management: landfilling
3. Waste management: incineration with energy recovery

The study also used ReCiPe and CML impact assessment methodologies, which were improved to include fate factors for a correct analysis of circular nutrient management.

Section 3: Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)


The study collected data on nutrient bioextraction during seaweed cultivation, as well as emissions from various stages of the process, including:

1. Seaweed production
2. Transport of seaweed
3. Biofertilizer production and use
4. Landfilling
5. Incineration

The LCI was calculated for 1 Mg DW of seaweed, and the results showed that the MaFe scenario performed best in terms of marine eutrophication.

Section 4: Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods


The study used two impact assessment methodologies:

1. ReCiPe: a harmonized category indicator at the midpoint and endpoint level
2. CML-IA: a single impact category called eutrophication measured in units of PO3-

The LCIA methods were used to quantify eutrophication of the aquatic environment by calculating nitrogen and phosphorus flows and effects within the system boundaries.

Section 5: Results and Discussion


The study showed that the MaFe scenario performed best in terms of marine eutrophication, with a net reduction of -32.29 kg N eq./Mg DW seaweed. The incineration scenario performed best in terms of freshwater eutrophication, but the MaFe and landfilling scenarios worsened environmental conditions. The study also showed that seaweed cultivation can counterbalance manmade emissions of nitrogen and phosphorus.

Section 6: Conclusion


The study concluded that seaweed cultivation is a promising tool for circular nutrient management and can help reduce eutrophication levels in aquatic environments. The study also highlighted the need for further research and development of sustainable seaweed cultivation practices.

Section 7: References


The study cited various references, including scientific articles, reports, and websites. The references included studies on the environmental impacts of seaweed cultivation, nutrient management, and waste management.

Section 8: Acknowledgments


The study acknowledged financial support from the Danish Council for Strategic Research and the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Aarhus University. The authors also thanked various individuals and organizations for their contributions to the study.

Section 9: Appendices


The study included several appendices, including tables and figures, which provided additional information on the study's methodology, results, and conclusions.

Section 10: Appendices (continued)


The study included several appendices, including:

1. A table showing the emissions from disposal of municipal solid waste to landfill.
2. A table showing the sectoral nitrogen emissions to freshwater systems in the 21 Danish water districts.
3. A table showing the sectoral phosphorus emissions to freshwater systems in the 21 Danish water districts.
4. A table showing the results of the nitrogen balance in the long-term horizon of seaweed cultivation in Denmark.
5. A table showing the results of the phosphorus balance in the long-term horizon of seaweed cultivation in Denmark.

Section 11: Conclusion


In conclusion, this article analyzed the science of seaweed cultivation as a tool for circular nutrient management. The study showed that seaweed cultivation can help reduce eutrophication levels in aquatic environments and that it can be a promising tool for sustainable development. The study also highlighted the need for further research and development of sustainable seaweed cultivation practices.
Summary The study assesses the potential of seaweed for circular nutrient management in Denmark, with the goal of reducing eutrophication levels in the aquatic environment. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed to evaluate the impact of three seaweed management scenarios: seaweed used as fertilizer (MaFe), landfilling, and incineration. The results showed that the MaFe scenario had the lowest environmental impact, with a net reduction of -32.29 kg N eq./Mg DW seaweed. In contrast, the landfilling and incineration scenarios showed negative impacts on marine eutrophication, with -3.05 kg N eq./Mg DW seaweed and -29.24 kg N eq./Mg DW seaweed, respectively. The study also found that the MaFe scenario was more effective in reducing phosphorus emissions, with a net reduction of -2.79 kg P eq./Mg DW seaweed. The CML (Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment) method was used to evaluate the impact of the three scenarios, and the results showed a net reduction of -16.58 kg PO43- eq./Mg DW seaweed. The study highlights the potential of seaweed cultivation as a tool for circular nutrient management, with the ability to reduce nutrient emissions and promote sustainable resource cycling. The results of the study suggest that seaweed cultivation can be a valuable component of Denmark's strategy to reduce eutrophication and promote sustainable development. The study's findings have important implications for policymakers and stakeholders involved in coastal management and environmental policy.
Scientific Methods The article presents a study on the potential of seaweed as a nutrient management tool to reduce eutrophication levels in Danish coastal waters. The research methods used in this study include:

1. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): The study uses LCA to evaluate the environmental impact of three different seaweed biomass management scenarios: using seaweed as fertilizer (MaFe), landfilling, and incineration.
2. Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA): The study uses LCIA to quantify the impact of the three scenarios on aquatic eutrophication, including freshwater and marine eutrophication.
3. Ecoinvent database: The study uses the Ecoinvent database to obtain data on the environmental impact of various processes, including pretreatment, incineration, and landfilling.
4. SimaPro software: The study uses the SimaPro software to perform the LCA and LCIA.
5. National data: The study uses national data on emissions to freshwater and marine systems to estimate the impact of the three scenarios.
6. Fate factors: The study uses fate factors to quantify the transport of nutrients from one environmental compartment to another.
7. Characterization models: The study uses characterization models to convert the mass of substances into a measure of their environmental impact.
8. Impact categories: The study uses impact categories, such as freshwater eutrophication and marine eutrophication, to quantify the environmental impact of the three scenarios.

The study also uses various tools and software, including:

1. ArcGIS: The study uses ArcGIS to calculate the transport distances of seaweed.
2. SimaPro 8.0.4: The study uses SimaPro to perform the LCA and LCIA.
3. Ecoinvent v3.1: The study uses Ecoinvent to obtain data on the environmental impact of various processes.
4. CML-IA: The study uses CML-IA to perform the LCIA.

Overall, the study uses a combination of LCA, LCIA, and national data to evaluate the environmental impact of three different seaweed biomass management scenarios and provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential of seaweed as a nutrient management tool.
Article contribution The article "Bioextraction potential of seaweed in Denmark — An instrument for circular nutrient management" (Science of the Total Environment 563–564 (2016) 513–529) presents a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study that evaluates the impact of three seaweed biomass management scenarios on aquatic eutrophication. The study focuses on the potential of seaweed as a nutrient management tool to reduce eutrophication levels in Danish waters.

Contribution to Regenerative Economics:

The study makes several contributions to regenerative economics:

1.
Circular nutrient management
: The study demonstrates the potential of seaweed as a circular nutrient management tool, where nutrients are extracted from seaweed biomass and reused as fertilizer, reducing the need for mineral fertilizers and minimizing nutrient losses to the environment.
2.
Green-engineered systems
: The study highlights the importance of green-engineered systems, such as seaweed cultivation, that can transform linear production systems into circular ones, exploiting manmade emissions as a resource for biobased production.
3.
Bioavailability of nutrients
: The study investigates the bioavailability of nutrients in seaweed biomass and their potential as fertilizers, demonstrating that seaweed-based fertilizers have a similar bioavailability to mineral fertilizers.
4.
Eutrophication reduction
: The study shows that the MaFe management scenario, which involves using seaweed as a fertilizer, reduces eutrophication levels by 32.29 kg N eq. and 16.58 kg PO4 eq. per Mg (dry weight) of seaweed, compared to conventional biowaste management systems.
5.
Nutrient emission supply
: The study estimates the nutrient emission supply to Danish marine waters and the bioextraction potential of seaweed biomass, demonstrating that seaweed cultivation can counterbalance manmade emissions of nitrogen and phosphorus.
6.
Long-term sustainability
: The study extends the LCA to a long-term horizon, showing that seaweed cultivation can contribute to the creation and maintenance of nutrient balance for both nitrogen and phosphorus, even in the long term.

Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of seaweed as a sustainable nutrient management tool, contributing to regenerative economics by reducing eutrophication levels, promoting circular nutrient management, and exploiting manmade emissions as a resource for biobased production.

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