Alternative seagrass wrack management practices in the circular bioeconomy framework: A life cycle assessment approach

Despite providing important ecological functions, seagrass accumulation causes environmental and economic issues, including eutrophication tourism reduction. Nowadays, wrack is commonly removed from the beaches landfilled, which considered least desirable practice according to European Union (EU) Waste Framework Directive. In this study, different management strategies for valorisation, anaerobic digestion (AD), composting restoration, were using a life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective. The aim of work was evaluate more alternatives landfill provide robust evaluation method public private companies. An subsequently conducted, considering both direct indirect impacts with costing (LCC) approach. A selected beach located in Northeast Mediterranean Sea as relevant case-study. scenarios evaluated ReCiPe 2016H, midpoint endpoint levels. LCA results showed that restoration AD best terms performances because biogas production used renewable energy source. alternative significantly lower than current strategy, -70% categories human health, ecosystems resources, -95% global warming potential category. LCC analysis proved (NPV > 1.27 M€), due operating costs higher fertilizer value. obtained can help companies administrations select operational reduce impact collection treatment.