Volume : 4, Issue : 12, DEC 2018

CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE GROUNDWATER CATCHTMENT

ESCUDERO, DANIELA, MEDUS, SILVINA, CIFUENTES, OLGA

Abstract

The Carbon Footprint is one of the measurements of the impact caused by the human activities in the environment. It is estimated by the amount of Greenhouse Gases (GHG), measured in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) units. The calculation of Carbon Footprint allows to establish policies towards its reduction. Monte Hermoso, located on the maritime coast of the Southwest of the Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina), is a touristic town. During summer time the water demand increases because the population becomes ten times greater than the stable one. In this season, the 49 underground catchment wells operate simultaneously 24 hours a day. This causes greater generation of GHG due to the increase of electric energy used for the water extraction. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the Carbon Footprint of the water extraction well park and introduce a methodology to do it. This may be of general application in similar water supply services. The collection and analysis of information from the consumptions that arise on the pump energy service invoices are used to calculate the Carbon Footprint. The annual Carbon Footprint generated during the process of capturing ground water in Monte Hermoso is 562 tons CO2/year. This, represents 1% of the one generated by the stable population.

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References

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