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Life Cycle Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Analysis of Groundwater-Based Irrigation Systems

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Title Life Cycle Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Analysis of Groundwater-Based Irrigation Systems
 
Creator Acharya, Sharmila
 
Contributor George, Biju Alummoottil
Aye, Lu
Nair, Sudeep
Nawarathna, Bandara
Malano, Hector
 
Subject emissions
 
Description The reliance on groundwater for irrigation is increasing in Australia and India, which is causing concerns to policy makers about energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, it is important to quantify the GHG emissions of all components of the groundwater-based irrigation systems, over the entire life cycle to develop more environmentally friendly groundwater management strategies. This study identified and analysed energy use and GHG emissions associated with different components in the supply chain of groundwater-based irrigation systems. An existing GHG emissions and energy-accounting framework was adapted to enhance its capabilities by considering drilling techniques, water distribution and irrigation application methods. The results of this study highlighted that embodied and direct GHG emissions from drilling tube wells were higher in the Musi catchment, India, compared to South Australia. The study also highlighted that GHG emissions associated with water conveyance were higher for concrete and plastic-lined channels than unlined channels. Drip irrigation systems in both countries were found to have more GHG emissions than gravity-fed systems. Centre pivot systems were found to be emitting more than the drip systems in South Australia. We conclude that different components of the system have an impact on total GHG emissions and energy consumption for both countries. Any change in the most commonly used methods of drilling bore wells, water distribution in channels, and the irrigation methods, will have distinct impacts on energy consumption rates and GHG emissions. The developed conceptual framework provided a systematic complete analysis of the energy-consuming and GHG-emitting components associated with groundwater-based irrigation systems. Policy makers and decision makers may use the developed framework to compare different system components to develop strategies that have minimal impact on the environment.
 
Date 2015-07-01
2016-04-19T11:58:03Z
2016-04-19T11:58:03Z
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier https://mel.cgiar.org/dspace/limited
Sharmila Acharya, Biju Alummoottil George, Lu Aye, Sudeep Nair, Bandara Nawarathna, Hector Malano. (1/7/2015). Life Cycle Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Analysis of Groundwater-Based Irrigation Systems. Irrigation and Drainage, 64 (3), pp. 408-418.
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/4634
Timeless limited access
 
Language en
 
Rights CC-BY-NC-4.0
 
Format PDF
 
Publisher Wiley (12 months)
 
Source Irrigation and Drainage;64,(2015) Pagination 408-418