Environmental impacts of mung bean production systems based on life cycle assessment methodology and IMPACT 2002+ model

Fathi, Amin; Kheiralipour, Kamran

doi:10.22034/jelsa.2025.496117.1095

Environmental impacts of mung bean production systems based on life cycle assessment methodology and IMPACT 2002+ model

Document Type : Original research article

Authors

Amin Fathi ¹

Kamran Kheiralipour ²

¹ 1- Mechanical Engineering of Biosystems Department, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran 2- Department of Agronomy, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran

² Mechanical Engineering of Biosystems Department, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

10.22034/jelsa.2025.496117.1095

Abstract

Environment is one of the key elements in sustainable production. The present study was conducted to investigate the environmental impacts of mung bean production systems in Dareh Shahr, Ilam, Iran. The required data were collected through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with 78 mung bean farmers in 2022-2023. Inputs and output data were calculated and then environmental impacts were calculated using the life cycle assessment methodology and IMPACT 2002+ impact assessment model. The results showed that the mung bean production process in farms, potassium production in the factory, and seed production in the farm were the main contributors to almost all environmental indicators. Human health was the main indicator in mung bean production. Other main indicators were ranked as climate change, resources, and ecosystem quality. The total environmental damage of mung bean production was equal to 263.90 mPt. The results of the present research found hotspots in mung bean production which are useful to practically decrease environmental impacts via decreasing inputs and increasing output.

Highlights

LCA shows mung bean production's total environmental damage is 263.90 mPt in Dareh Shahr, Iran.
Human health tops environmental indicators, followed by climate change and resources.
Farms, potassium, and seed production are key contributors to mung bean's eco-impact.
Global warming potential of mung bean is 787.85 kg CO₂ eq./ton, higher than wheat.
Biofertilizers and direct planting can reduce environmental burdens of mung bean.

Keywords

Agronomy

Emissions

Environment

Impact assessment

Input-output

Midpoint and endpoint indicators

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