Biotech Updates

Argonne Studies Effects of Biofuel Production on Freshwater Resources

February 10, 2016
http://energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/articles/beto-funded-study-offers-methods-support-water-sustainable-bioenergy

The Argonne National Laboratory released a study that evaluated the potential effects of future biofuel production on freshwater resources in the Missouri River Basin.

The study identified four areas that could be associated with increased feedstock production, and demonstrated that increasing the amount of switchgrass acreage in these hot spots could significantly improve water quality. This study used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, a modeling tool that examines how water quality and flow would respond to region-specific increases in feedstock production.

The results of the study could be useful in decisions regarding enhancement of the environmental sustainability of feedstock production.