Critical Review of Eutrophication Models for Life Cycle Assessment

This
paper evaluates the current state of life cycle impact assessment
(LCIA) methods used to estimate potential eutrophication impacts in
freshwater and marine ecosystems and presents a critical review of
the underlying surface water quality, watershed, marine, and air fate
and transport (F&T) models. Using a criteria rubric, we assess
the potential of each method and model to contribute to further refinements
of life cycle assessment (LCA) eutrophication mechanisms and nutrient
transformation processes as well as model structure, availability,
geographic scope, and spatial and temporal resolution. We describe
recent advances in LCIA modeling and provide guidance on the best
available sources of fate and exposure factors, with a focus on midpoint
indicators. The critical review identifies gaps in LCIA characterization
modeling regarding the availability
and spatial resolution of fate factors in the soil compartment and
identifies strategies to characterize emissions from soil.
Additional opportunities are identified to leverage detailed F&T models that strengthen existing approaches to LCIA or that have
the potential to link LCIA modeling more closely with the spatial
and temporal realities of the effects of eutrophication.