Application of Life Cycle Assessment for Torrent Control Structures: A Review

Mirabela Marin (), Nicu Constantin Tudose, Cezar Ungurean and Alin Lucian Mihalache
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Mirabela Marin: National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Drăcea”, 077190 Voluntari, Romania
Nicu Constantin Tudose: National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Drăcea”, 077190 Voluntari, Romania
Cezar Ungurean: National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Drăcea”, 077190 Voluntari, Romania
Alin Lucian Mihalache: National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Drăcea”, 077190 Voluntari, Romania

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-19

Abstract: Mountain areas are prone to the occurrence of extreme events, especially torrential floods, amplified by climatic and environmental changes. In this context, it is mandatory to increase resilience and guide decision-makers toward more effective measures. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is considered as a decision support tool that can provide the qualitative and quantitative criteria required by the Do No Significant Harm, thus contributing to a more accurate assessment of environmental impacts of the torrent control structures. This study aimed to investigate the current state of the LCA applications in the torrent control to provide practitioners perspectives for new research and a pathway for optimized LCA analysis. Our analysis reveals that in the torrent control area, these studies are still limited. Most of the papers considered Ecoinvent as the main database source and cradle to grave as the main system boundary. This study suggests that restoring the functional capacity of dams and other torrent control structures instead of demolition or decommissioning from the end-of-life stage will ensure an orientation towards more sustainable and circular strategies. Although strong partnerships and consistent efforts are needed, general findings reveal that LCA is a useful tool for moving towards more sustainable construction practices.

Keywords: life cycle assessment; torrent control structures; decision-support tool; environmental sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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