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Life cycle assessment of recirculating aquaculture systems: A case of Atlantic salmon farming in China

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  • Xingqiang Song
  • Ying Liu
  • Johan Berg Pettersen
  • Miguel Brandão
  • Xiaona Ma
  • Stian Røberg
  • Björn Frostell

Abstract

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are an alternative technology to tackle the major environmental challenges associated with conventional cage culture systems. In order to systematically assess the environmental performance of RAS farming, it is important to take the whole life cycle into account so as to avoid ad hoc and suboptimal environmental measures. So far, the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) in aquaculture, especially to indoor RAS, is still in progress. This study reports on an LCA of Atlantic salmon harvested at an indoor RAS farm in northern China. Results showed that 1 tonne live‐weight salmon production required 7,509 kWh farm‐level electricity and generated 16.7 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (eq), 106 kg of SO2 eq, 2.4 kg of P eq, and 108 kg of N eq (cradle‐to‐farm gate). In particular, farm‐level electricity use and feed product were identified as primary contributors to eight of nine impact categories assessed (54–95% in total), except the potential marine eutrophication (MEU) impact (dominated by the grow‐out effluents). Among feed ingredients (on a dry‐weight basis), chicken meal (5%) and krill meal (8%) dominated six and three, respectively, of the nine impact categories. Suggested environmental improvement measures for this indoor RAS farm included optimization of stocking density, feeding management, grow‐out effluent treatment, substitution of feed ingredients, and selection of electricity generation sources. In a generic context, this study can contribute to a better understanding of the life cycle environmental impacts of land‐based salmon RAS operations, as well as science‐based communication among stakeholders on more eco‐friendly farmed salmon.

Suggested Citation

  • Xingqiang Song & Ying Liu & Johan Berg Pettersen & Miguel Brandão & Xiaona Ma & Stian Røberg & Björn Frostell, 2019. "Life cycle assessment of recirculating aquaculture systems: A case of Atlantic salmon farming in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(5), pages 1077-1086, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:23:y:2019:i:5:p:1077-1086
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12845
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    Cited by:

    1. Pietro Goglio & Sander Van Den Burg & Katerina Kousoulaki & Maggie Skirtun & Åsa Maria Espmark & Anne Helena Kettunen & Wout Abbink, 2022. "The Environmental Impact of Partial Substitution of Fish-Based Feed with Algae- and Insect-Based Feed in Salmon Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Elena Tamburini & Edoardo Turolla & Elisa Anna Fano & Giuseppe Castaldelli, 2020. "Sustainability of Mussel ( Mytilus Galloprovincialis ) Farming in the Po River Delta, Northern Italy, Based on a Life Cycle Assessment Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-18, May.
    3. Haochen Hou & Anqi Ren & Lixingbo Yu & Zhen Ma & Yun Zhang & Ying Liu, 2023. "An Environmental Impact Assessment of Largemouth Bass ( Micropterus salmoides ) Aquaculture in Hangzhou, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-13, August.
    4. Enora Barrau & Mathias Glaus, 2022. "Structural and Environmental Performance of Evolving Industrial Symbiosis: A Multidimensional Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Onozaka, Yuko & Honkanen, Pirjo & Altintzoglou, Themistoklis, 2023. "Sustainability, perceived quality and country of origin of farmed salmon: Impact on consumer choices in the USA, France and Japan," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    6. Ramin Ghamkhar & Christopher Hartleb & Zack Rabas & Andrea Hicks, 2022. "Evaluation of environmental and economic implications of a cold‐weather aquaponic food production system using life cycle assessment and economic analysis," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(3), pages 862-874, June.

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