evaluation of environmental impact of crop production using lca: wheat in gorgan

environmental issues have attracted many concerns in recent years. life cycle assessment (lca) is a method that evaluates all environmental effects of a product during its life cycle. the objective of this study was to introduce lca [to persian researchers] and to use it in assessment of environmental impact of wheat production in gorgan, ne iran compared to european counties. first, data were gathered regarding materials and processes in wheat production, the inventory analysis. then, all resources and emissions per each ton of wheat grain were quantified. finally, the impact of the emissions and resource usage were aggregated into some indicators. the results indicated that wheat production in gorgan has important environmental impacts regarding depletion of non-renewable energy sources, global warming, eutrophication, photochemical oxidation, acidification and ozone layer depletion. there is a significant gap between gorgan and european countries (optimum situation) that should be considered.