<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The olive tree (<italic>Olea europaea</italic> L.), widely cultivated in the Mediterranean countries for olive oil and table olive production, has an important economic role. In the age of climate change, it is crucial to know the importance of environmental impacts associated to the production system. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterise the environmental impacts of a semi-intensive olive orchard drip irrigated with ground water, located in the Northeast Region of Portugal. Life cycle analysis was conducted according to ISO 14040. We used <italic>openLCA</italic> software, the Agribalyse V. 3 database, and a <italic>cradle-to-gate</italic> analysis in the impact assessment (Recipe Midpoint (H) V1.13). In the climate change category, the results indicated that for production of 1 kg olives, a total of 0.249 kg CO2-Eq. were emitted to the atmosphere. Regarding the direct impact of production system, a total of 0.177 kg CO2-Eq. (71.5%) were emitted, followed by indirect impacts associated with raw material of the irrigation system (0.032 kg CO2-Eq. total, 12.7%), and electricity needed to pump ground water (0.012 kg CO2-Eq., 4.8%). In relation to inputs for production, the raw material for urea production contributed 0.013 kg CO2-Eq. (5.0%) of total emissions. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first carried out in this region, and contributes to a better understanding of environmental impacts that will allow their minimisation and ensure olive orchard sustainability.
</abstract>

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.), widely cultivated in the Mediterranean countries for olive oil and table olive production, has an important economic role. In the age of climate change, it is crucial to know the importance of environmental impacts associated to the production system. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterise the environmental impacts of a semi-intensive olive orchard drip irrigated with ground water, located in the Northeast Region of Portugal. Life cycle analysis was conducted according to ISO 14040. We used openLCA software, the Agribalyse V. 3 database, and a cradle-to-gate analysis in the impact assessment (Recipe Midpoint (H) V1.13). In the climate change category, the results indicated that for production of 1 kg olives, a total of 0.249 kg CO2-Eq. were emitted to the atmosphere. Regarding the direct impact of production system, a total of 0.177 kg CO2-Eq. (71.5%) were emitted, followed by indirect impacts associated with raw material of the irrigation system (0.032 kg CO2-Eq. total, 12.7%), and electricity needed to pump ground water (0.012 kg CO2-Eq., 4.8%). In relation to inputs for production, the raw material for urea production contributed 0.013 kg CO2-Eq. (5.0%) of total emissions. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first carried out in this region, and contributes to a better understanding of environmental impacts that will allow their minimisation and ensure olive orchard sustainability.

Life Cycle Assessment for Olive Production: A Case Study for the Region of Trás-os-Montes, Portugal

University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Department of Agronomy, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences

University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.), widely cultivated in the Mediterranean countries for olive oil and table olive production, has an important economic role....

Life Cycle Assessment for Olive Production: A Case Study for the Region of Trás-os-Montes, Portugal

Pubblicato online: 14 ott 2022

Pagine: 526 - 530

Ricevuto: 10 set 2021

Accettato: 13 lug 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2022-0081

Parole chiave
environmental impacts, GWP, LCA, olive orchard

© 2022 Thyago Brito et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Life Cycle Assessment for Olive Production: A Case Study for the Region of Trás-os-Montes, Portugal

Pubblicato online: 14 ott 2022

Pagine: 526 - 530

Ricevuto: 10 set 2021

Accettato: 13 lug 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2022-0081

Parole chiaveenvironmental impacts, GWP, LCA, olive orchard

© 2022 Thyago Brito et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Parole chiave
environmental impacts, GWP, LCA, olive orchard