Abstract
The use of biowaste compost on land can have beneficial effects on the plant–soil system. While the environmental impacts associated
with compost production have been successfully assessed in previous studies, the assessment of the benefits of compost on plant and soil
has been only partially included in few published works. In the present study, we reviewed the recent progresses made in the quantification
of the effects associated to biowaste compost use on land by using life cycle assessment (LCA). Different research efforts are required
for a full assessment of the potential benefits, apart from nutrient supply and carbon sequestration; additional impact categories –
dealing with phosphorus resources, biodiversity, soil losses, and water depletion – may be needed for a comprehensive assessment of
compost application. Several of the natural mechanisms identified and the LCA procedures discussed in the paper could be extensible to
other organic fertilizers and compost from other feedstocks.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Life Cycle Assessment in the Agri-Food Sector |
Editors | Rita Schenck, Douglas Huizenga |
Publisher | ACLCA |
Publication date | 2014 |
Pages | 674-682 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-0-9882145-7-6 |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Event | 9th International Conference on Life Cycle Assessment in the Agri-food Sector - San Francisco, United States Duration: 8 Oct 2014 → 10 Oct 2014 |
Conference
Conference | 9th International Conference on Life Cycle Assessment in the Agri-food Sector |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | San Francisco |
Period | 08/10/2014 → 10/10/2014 |