Water footprint of soybean production in Argentina

PABLO ARENA; ROXANA PIASTRELLINI; BÁRBARA CIVIT

Berlin

Conferencia; Life Cycle Management Conference; 2011

Technische Universitat Berlin

In the last decade, the use of biomass for energy purposes has raised high expectations for the production of liquid biofuels in Argentina. This situation involves economical benefits and new opportunities of trade with consumer countries. But on the other hand, impacts such as land use change, deforestation or water withdrawal may be intensified. The water requirements of biofuel production mainly depend on the type of feedstock and on regional variables, being feedstock cultivation the most water-intensive of biofuel production process. The calculation of the water footprint for soybean cultivation in Argentina under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions, using the method proposed by the Water Footprint Network, is presented here. The result of the assessment carried out provides relevant information for a sustainable water management according to the local conditions useful for local producers.