Methods in Molecular Biology (2020) 1980: 103–119
DOI 10.1007/7651_2018_203
© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2018
Published online: 13 April 2019
Life Cycle Assessment of Seaweed Cultivation Systems
Michele Seghetta and Pietro Goglio
Abstract
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a holistic methodology that identifies the impacts of a production system on
the environment. The results of an LCA are used to identify which processes can be improved to minimize
impacts and optimize production.
LCA is composed of four phases: (1) goal and scope definition, (2) life cycle inventory analysis, (3) life
cycle impact assessment, and (4) interpretation.
The goal and scope define the purpose of the analysis; describe the system and its function, establish a
functional unit to collect data and present results, set the system boundaries, and explain the assumptions
made and data quality requirements. Life cycle inventory analysis is the collection, processing and organization of data. Life cycle impact assessment associates the results from the inventory phase to one or
multiple impacts on environment or human health. The interpretation evaluates the outcome of each phase
of the analysis. In this phase the practitioner decides whether it is necessary to amend other phases, e.g.,
collection of more data or adjustments of goal of the analysis. In the interpretation, the practitioner draws
conclusions, exposes the limitations, and provides recommendations to the readers.
The quality of LCA of seaweed production and conversion is based on data availability and detail level.
Performing an LCA at the initial stage of seaweed production in Europe is an advantage: the recommended
design improvements can be implemented without significant economic investments. The quality of LCA
will keep improving with the increase of scientific publications, data sharing, and public reports.
Keywords Climate change, Environmental impacts, Life cycle assessment, Macroalgae, Seaweed
1 Introduction
Seaweed cultivation is a promising activity in the European aquaculture sector [1]. Despite being widely used in the food and
chemical sectors in Asia [2], seaweed occupies a niche market in
Europe. The current demand in the food sector is satisfied mainly
by wild harvest in Norway and France [3]. However, a stable
biomass supply might ignite new business opportunities and
boost the industrial development of cultivation and processing
[4]. Extraction of valuable substances through successive refinery
steps is technically feasible, and it has been tested in laboratory and
pilot scale biorefineries [5]. Despite the absence of industrial scale
cultivation sites and biorefineries in Europe, it is worth assessing the
potential impacts on the environment to guide the industrial development and prevent harmful effects [4].
103
DOI 10.1007/7651_2018_203
© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2018
Published online: 13 April 2019
Life Cycle Assessment of Seaweed Cultivation Systems
Michele Seghetta and Pietro Goglio
Abstract
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a holistic methodology that identifies the impacts of a production system on
the environment. The results of an LCA are used to identify which processes can be improved to minimize
impacts and optimize production.
LCA is composed of four phases: (1) goal and scope definition, (2) life cycle inventory analysis, (3) life
cycle impact assessment, and (4) interpretation.
The goal and scope define the purpose of the analysis; describe the system and its function, establish a
functional unit to collect data and present results, set the system boundaries, and explain the assumptions
made and data quality requirements. Life cycle inventory analysis is the collection, processing and organization of data. Life cycle impact assessment associates the results from the inventory phase to one or
multiple impacts on environment or human health. The interpretation evaluates the outcome of each phase
of the analysis. In this phase the practitioner decides whether it is necessary to amend other phases, e.g.,
collection of more data or adjustments of goal of the analysis. In the interpretation, the practitioner draws
conclusions, exposes the limitations, and provides recommendations to the readers.
The quality of LCA of seaweed production and conversion is based on data availability and detail level.
Performing an LCA at the initial stage of seaweed production in Europe is an advantage: the recommended
design improvements can be implemented without significant economic investments. The quality of LCA
will keep improving with the increase of scientific publications, data sharing, and public reports.
Keywords Climate change, Environmental impacts, Life cycle assessment, Macroalgae, Seaweed
1 Introduction
Seaweed cultivation is a promising activity in the European aquaculture sector [1]. Despite being widely used in the food and
chemical sectors in Asia [2], seaweed occupies a niche market in
Europe. The current demand in the food sector is satisfied mainly
by wild harvest in Norway and France [3]. However, a stable
biomass supply might ignite new business opportunities and
boost the industrial development of cultivation and processing
[4]. Extraction of valuable substances through successive refinery
steps is technically feasible, and it has been tested in laboratory and
pilot scale biorefineries [5]. Despite the absence of industrial scale
cultivation sites and biorefineries in Europe, it is worth assessing the
potential impacts on the environment to guide the industrial development and prevent harmful effects [4].
103