Post on 16-Dec-2015
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Sustainable Nanotechnology: Need to Consider the Role of Ecosystem Services in LCA
Bhavik R. BakshiDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
Motivation for LCA
Avoid the unpleasant surprises due to technology Systems view Broad analysis boundary
Expected to guide selection and design of technological alternatives
Commonly expected to encourage sustainable development
Unfortunately, current LCA need not encourage sustainability Economic rebound effect Using a boundary that is not broad enough
Ecosystem Services & Sustainability
Ecosystem goods and services (Natural Capital) are essential for sustainability
Decisions to encourage sustainability must consider role of ecosystem services
NaturalCapital
Economic Products &
Services
Ecosystem
Economy
Sun
4
Types of Ecosystem Services
RegulatingBenefits obtained from
regulation of ecosystem processes
• climate regulation• disease regulation
• flood regulation• detoxification
ProvisioningGoods produced or
provided by ecosystems• food
• fresh water• fuel wood
• fiber• biochemicals
• genetic resources
CulturalNon-material benefits
obtained from ecosystems• spiritual
• recreational • aesthetic
• inspirational• educational
• symbolic
SupportingServices necessary for production of other ecosystem services
• Soil formation• Nutrient cycling
• Primary production
Status of Ecosystem Services
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment “… assessed the consequences of ecosystem change
for human well-being… … the MA involved the work of more than 1,360
experts worldwide. Their findings provide a state-of-the-art scientific
appraisal of the condition and trends in the world’s ecosystems and the services they provide, …
… as well as the scientific basis for action to conserve and use them sustainably.”
Many ecosystem goods and services are highly degraded
http://www.maweb.org
LCA and Ecosystem Services
LCA accounts for some provisioning services, but ignores the rest
Decisions based on LCA can be perverse An alternative with smaller life cycle impact may be
less sustainable due to greater reliance on scarce ecosystem services
None of the existing life cycle oriented methods account for ecosystem services
Zhang, Singh and Bakshi, Env. Sci. Technol., 2009
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LCA of Polymer Nanocomposite Cars
Potential savings if automotive steel is replaced by polymer nanocomposites
Approach identifies new engineering opportunities
CNF: 0.6 v/v
CNF: 2.3 v/v
CNF: 1 v/vCNF: 3.4 v/v
CNF: 2.4 v/v
PP-GF-CNF
PP-GF-CNF
UPR-CNFUPR-CNF
UPR-GF-CNF
Khanna, Bakshi, Env. Sci. Technol, 2009
LCA of CNF Reinforced Windmills
CNF in windmill blades can enhance their strength to weight ratio Permit larger blades Increase electricity generation
LCA indicates that with current technology, Energy ROI does not improve
Increasing efficiency in making CNF and polymer nanocomposites may make the life cycle more attractive
Merugula and Bakshi, AIChE Conference, 2009
Ecosystem Services and Nanotechnology
Life cycle of nanotechnologies may rely on scarce ecosystem services
Provisioning Fossil fuels and minerals Water
Regulating Air quality regulation Climate & Water regulation Waste processing
Supporting Primary production Water cycling
Most of these services are already stressed
Ecologically-Based LCA PROVISIONING SERVICES
Fuels Crude Oil; Natural
gas; Coal; Nuclear fuel
Ores Iron; Copper; Silver;
Zinc and lead; Gold; Other metallic ores
Non-metallic Minerals; Crushed
stone; Sand Water
Irrigation water Thermoelectric
power generation water
Public Supply Water
Primary production Fish & related
species Wood Grass
Land Cropland;
Rangeland and pasture; Timber
SUPPORTING SERVICES Mineralization
Nitrogen, Phosphorus
Soil Nitrogen deposition
from atmosphere; Detrital matter; erosion
Farm, Timber, Ranch * Work In Progress
Pollination Sunlight Hydropotential Geothermal Wind
REGULATING SERVICES Carbon
Sequestration Forest, Farm,
Ranch Soil Ocean*
Air Quality* Water Regulation* Climate Regulation* Disease Regulation* Pest Regulation*
Zhang, Baral, Bakshi, Env. Sci. Technol., 2009Singh, Bakshi, 2009
http://resilience.osu.edu/ecolca/
Eco-LCA of Corn Ethanol vs. Gasoline
Scenario: All corn is used for fuel Meets 12% of total U.S. fuel demand
Graph shows % of U.S resource consumption Indicates vulnerability to resources
Gasoline is vulnerable to crude oil depletion Corn ethanol to land use and availability of fertile soil
0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
6%
7%
8%
9%
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Crud
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Natu
ral g
as
Iron
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Copp
er o
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Zinc
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Oth
er m
etal
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res
Non-
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allic
min
eral
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hed
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e Sand
Coal
Detri
tal m
atte
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ss
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ic C
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Sunl
ight
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Geo
ther
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Win
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ergy
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ear e
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Soil e
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on
Crop
landnorm
alize
d res
ourc
e con
sum
ption Gasoline
Ethanol
Crude oil Detritalmatter
Water
CroplandCO2 uptake
Soil Erosion
Vulnerability to loss of Ecosystem Service
Identifying Critical Supporting Services
Air quality regulating service looks most critical since LC intensity and vulnerability are both high