Spatio-temporal impacts of biofuel production and climate variability on water quantity and quality in upper Mississippi River Basin

Deb, D; Tuppad, P; Daggupati, P; Srinivasan, R; Varma, D

HERO ID

3252841

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2015

Language

English

HERO ID 3252841
In Press No
Year 2015
Title Spatio-temporal impacts of biofuel production and climate variability on water quantity and quality in upper Mississippi River Basin
Authors Deb, D; Tuppad, P; Daggupati, P; Srinivasan, R; Varma, D
Journal Water
Volume 7
Issue 7
Page Numbers 3283-3305
Abstract Impact of climate change on the water resources of the United States exposes the vulnerability of feedstock-specific mandated fuel targets to extreme weather conditions that could become more frequent and intensify in the future. Consequently, a sustainable biofuel policy should consider: (a) how climate change would alter both water supply and demand; and (b) in turn, how related changes in water availability will impact the production of biofuel crops; and (c) the environmental implications of large scale biofuel productions. Understanding the role of biofuels in the water cycle is the key to understanding many of the environmental impacts of biofuels. Therefore, the focus of this study is to model the rarely explored interactions between land use, climate change, water resources and the environment in future biofuel production systems. Results from this study will help explore the impacts of the US biofuel policy and climate change on water and agricultural resources. We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to analyze the water quantity and quality consequences of land use and land management related changes in cropping conditions (e.g., more use of marginal lands, greater residue harvest, increased yields), plus management practices due to biofuel crops to meet the Renewable Fuel Standard target on water quality and quantity.
Doi 10.3390/w7073283
Wosid WOS:000359898800006
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword biofuel; water quality; Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)
Is Peer Review Yes