Environmental Impact of Phosphorus in Regional Aquatic Systems

Abstract

The growing interest in environmental protection has driven the development of methods to understand and mitigate environmental impacts, such as the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) technique. Eutrophication of inland waters is a regional environmental impact category. It affects ecology, health and the economy, and is caused by the over-enrichment of nutrients in the ecosystem. Phosphorus (P) is a key nutrient that controls the growth of microbiological organisms in these water bodies. Argentina faces serious problems of eutrophication in some of its lakes and reservoirs, which underlines the need for regional studies in the context of Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) within the LCA. Likewise, it is necessary to select a method that is adapted to local conditions. Therefore, this study aims to survey the potential environmental impact of P in significant aquatic systems in Argentina to advance the development of regional indicators of eutrophication that contribute to the doctoral thesis in progress. The Pampean region shows high levels of total P and chlorophyll a, indicating high eutrophication. The model to be developed seeks to identify the increase in P concentration in regional water bodies and ensure that the methodology can be applied globally within the framework of the LCIA. This approach, is expected to facilitate decision making for nutrient reduction, improving the quality and health of aquatic ecosystems.