IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i14p8325-d857763.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Environmental, Energy, and Water Footprints of Marble Tile Production Chain in a Life Cycle Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Tehseen Ahmad

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • Majid Hussain

    (Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Haripur, Hattar Road, Haripur City 22620, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • Mudassar Iqbal

    (Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar 25130, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • Ashfaq Ali

    (Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management, Karakoram International University, Gilgit 15100, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan)

  • Wajiha Manzoor

    (Department of Economics, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Lahore Campus, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan)

  • Hamida Bibi

    (Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar 25130, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • Shamsher Ali

    (Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Amir Muhammad Khan Campus Mardan, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar 25130, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • Fariha Rehman

    (Department of Economics, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Lahore Campus, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan)

  • Ahmad Rashedi

    (College of Engineering, IT and Environment, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia)

  • Muhammad Amin

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal Dir Upper 18050, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • Anila Tabassum

    (MM Pakistan Private Limited, Tarbela Dam, Lahore 54000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • Ghulam Raza

    (Department of Biological Sciences, University of Baltistan, Skardu 16501, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan)

  • Dilawar Farhan Shams

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

Abstract

The marble industry is growing in Pakistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is the largest producer of marble tiles in Pakistan. Marble production consumes a considerable amount of water during its life cycle stages and impacts various environmental compartments, such as air, water, and soil; therefore, this study aimed to quantify the environmental impacts, water footprint, and cumulative energy demand of one-tonne marble tile manufactured in a small industrial estate Mardan (SIEM), Pakistan, and provide recommendations to improve its environmental impact profile. The study covers water consumption, energy use, and associated environmental impacts of raw materials and processes through different stages of the marble life-cycle during 2017–2018. The cradle-to-gate (extraction to factory gate or store house) life cycle assessment approach was followed in this study. The functional unit for the current study was one tonne of finished marble tile produced. Primary data from the field surveys and secondary data were modeled using the water scarcity index (WSI), CML 2000 v.2.05 methodology, and the cumulative energy demand indicator present by default in SimaPro v.8.3 software. The total water footprint required for one tonne of finished marble tile was 3.62 cubic meters per tonne (m 3 /t), with electricity consumed at processing units contributing to environmental burdens the most. Similarly, electricity consumed (at processing units and during polishing) and transportation of finished marble tile to the local market were responsible for global warming potential (388 kg CO 2 eq/tonne tile), human toxicity (84.34 kg 1,4-DB-eq/tonne), freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity (94.97kg 1,4-DB eq/tonne) and abiotic depletion (7.1 × 10 −5 kg Sb eq/tonne). The results of our study follow other marble tile LCA studies conducted globally (such as in Turkey and Italy), which also reported a high contribution to GWP, AP, EP, and HT due to electricity and fossil fuels consumption. The total cumulative energy demand (CED) was calculated as 5863.40 MJ (Mega Joule), with most energy usage associated with non-renewable fossil fuel sources. The results indicated that reducing electricity (using standard automatic machinery) and waste materials, especially paper and plastic wastes, can reduce environmental impacts. Most of the surveyed industrial units did not have wastewater treatment and recycling plants, and wastewater directly flows to nearby freshwater bodies and terrestrial ecosystems. These wastewaters should be adequately treated before being discharged into freshwater aquatic bodies. Environmental impacts must be improved by using the latest automatic machinery, reducing waste materials generation, reducing the distance between processing units and the market, and installing wastewater recycling plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Tehseen Ahmad & Majid Hussain & Mudassar Iqbal & Ashfaq Ali & Wajiha Manzoor & Hamida Bibi & Shamsher Ali & Fariha Rehman & Ahmad Rashedi & Muhammad Amin & Anila Tabassum & Ghulam Raza & Dilawar Farha, 2022. "Environmental, Energy, and Water Footprints of Marble Tile Production Chain in a Life Cycle Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8325-:d:857763
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/14/8325/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/14/8325/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rabaka Sultana & Ahmad Rashedi & Taslima Khanam & Byongug Jeong & Homa Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha & Majid Hussain, 2022. "Life Cycle Environmental Sustainability and Energy Assessment of Timber Wall Construction: A Comprehensive Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-30, March.
    2. Ahmad Rashedi & Irfan Ullah Muhammadi & Rana Hadi & Syeda Ghufrana Nadeem & Nasreen Khan & Farzana Ibrahim & Mohamad Zaki Hassan & Taslima Khanam & Byongug Jeong & Majid Hussain, 2022. "Characterization and Life Cycle Exergo-Environmental Analysis of Wood Pellet Biofuel Produced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-22, February.
    3. Park, Chybyung & Jeong, Byongug & Zhou, Peilin & Jang, Hayoung & Kim, Seongwan & Jeon, Hyeonmin & Nam, Dong & Rashedi, Ahmad, 2022. "Live-Life cycle assessment of the electric propulsion ship using solar PV," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    4. A. Rashedi & Taslima Khanam & Mirjam Jonkman, 2020. "On Reduced Consumption of Fossil Fuels in 2020 and Its Consequences in Global Environment and Exergy Demand," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-14, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rabaka Sultana & Ahmad Rashedi & Taslima Khanam & Byongug Jeong & Homa Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha & Majid Hussain, 2022. "Life Cycle Environmental Sustainability and Energy Assessment of Timber Wall Construction: A Comprehensive Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-30, March.
    2. Maaz Hassan & Naveed Usman & Majid Hussain & Adnan Yousaf & Muhammad Aamad Khattak & Sidra Yousaf & Rankeshwarnath Sanjay Mishr & Sana Ahmad & Fariha Rehman & Ahmad Rashedi, 2023. "Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment of Biomass Pellets Biofuel in Hazara Division, Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-23, August.
    3. Mahmoud G. Hemeida & Ashraf M. Hemeida & Tomonobu Senjyu & Dina Osheba, 2022. "Renewable Energy Resources Technologies and Life Cycle Assessment: Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-36, December.
    4. Tetiana Roik & Oleg Gavrysh & Ahmad Rashedi & Taslima Khanam & Ali Raza & Byongug Jeong, 2022. "New Antifriction Composites for Printing Machines Based on Tool Steel Grinding Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-11, February.
    5. Xu, Lijie & Hu, Hui & Ji, Jie & Cai, Jingyong & Dai, Leyang, 2024. "Hybrid energy saving performance of translucent CdTe photovoltaic window on small ship under sailing condition," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    6. Park, Chybyung & Jeong, Byongug & Zhou, Peilin, 2022. "Lifecycle energy solution of the electric propulsion ship with Live-Life cycle assessment for clean maritime economy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    7. Henriette Fischer & Martin Aichholzer & Azra Korjenic, 2023. "Ecological Potential of Building Components in Multi-Storey Residential Construction: A Comparative Case Study between an Existing Concrete and a Timber Building in Austria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    8. Kofi Armah Boakye-Yiadom & Alessio Ilari & Daniele Duca, 2022. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Life Cycle Assessment on the Black Soldier Fly ( Hermetia illucens L.)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-29, August.
    9. Ahmad Rashedi & Irfan Ullah Muhammadi & Rana Hadi & Syeda Ghufrana Nadeem & Nasreen Khan & Farzana Ibrahim & Mohamad Zaki Hassan & Taslima Khanam & Byongug Jeong & Majid Hussain, 2022. "Characterization and Life Cycle Exergo-Environmental Analysis of Wood Pellet Biofuel Produced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-22, February.
    10. Anna Manowska & Andrzej Nowrot, 2022. "Solar Farms as the Only Power Source for the Entire Country," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-15, July.
    11. John E. Candelo-Beccera & Leonardo Bohórquez Maldonado & Edwin Paipa Sanabria & Hernán Vergara Pestana & José Jiménez García, 2023. "Technological Alternatives for Electric Propulsion Systems in the Waterway Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-16, November.
    12. Lukas Folkens & Petra Schneider, 2022. "Responsible Carbon Resource Management through Input-Oriented Cap and Trade (IOCT)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, May.
    13. Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Sustainability of the Energy Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, November.
    14. Shin, Bigyeong & Chang, Seong Jin & Wi, Seunghwan & Kim, Sumin, 2023. "Estimation of energy demand and greenhouse gas emission reduction effect of cross-laminated timber (CLT) hybrid wall using life cycle assessment for urban residential planning," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    15. Ramdhan Halid Siregar & Yuwaldi Away & Tarmizi & Akhyar, 2023. "Minimizing Power Losses for Distributed Generation (DG) Placements by Considering Voltage Profiles on Distribution Lines for Different Loads Using Genetic Algorithm Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-25, July.
    16. Biljana Kulisic & Bruno Gagnon & Jörg Schweinle & Sam Van Holsbeeck & Mark Brown & Jurica Simurina & Ioannis Dimitriou & Heather McDonald, 2021. "The Contributions of Biomass Supply for Bioenergy in the Post-COVID-19 Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-31, December.
    17. Toshiyuki Sueyoshi & Youngbok Ryu & Ji-Young Yun, 2021. "COVID-19 Response and Prospects of Clean/Sustainable Energy Transition in Industrial Nations: New Environmental Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-30, February.
    18. Muhammad Shahid Mastoi & Hafiz Mudassir Munir & Shenxian Zhuang & Mannan Hassan & Muhammad Usman & Ahmad Alahmadi & Basem Alamri, 2022. "A Critical Analysis of the Impact of Pandemic on China’s Electricity Usage Patterns and the Global Development of Renewable Energy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-30, April.
    19. Foster Awindolla Asaki & Emmanuel Kwakye Amoah & Mac Junior Abeka, 2024. "The Impact of Electricity Production on Environmental Quality: The Role of Institutional Quality in Ghana," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 1-20, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8325-:d:857763. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.