Rice University researchers caution against the potential damage of biofuel development to water resources.

"The ongoing, rapid growth in biofuels production could have far-reaching environmental and economic repercussions, and it will likely highlight the interdependence and growing tension between energy and water security," said a report titled "The Water Footprint of Biofuels: A Drink or Drive Issue?"

The report found that it takes an estimated 50 gallons of water to produce enough irrigated-corn ethanol in Nebraska to fuel an average car for one mile. Given differing land use practices and other factors, the number either decreases to 20 gallons for Iowa grown corn or rises to 115 gallons for Texas-grown sorghum.

The researchers asked if increased biofuel-driven agriculture will affect water-resource availability and degrade water quality. They pointed out that fuel crops require large quantities of water and that water pollution is exacerbated by agricultural drainage containing fertilizers, pesticides, and sediment.

The report analyzed the amount of water needed to grow particular crops used to produce biofuels and noted that certain crops yield more biofuel energy while using less land, fertilizer, and water. These include switchgrass and other lignocellulosic options.

The authors urged that crops be chosen based on their appropriateness to the local climate and that producers raise crops that can be sustained by local rainfall rather than irrigation.

The report was supported by a fellowship from the Baker Institute Energy Forum and by the Shell Center for Sustainability at Rice University. It was written by Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and three colleagues were funded by Rice University's Shell Center for Sustainability.


-  Katrice R. Jalbuena

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Sources:

¹ http://www.rice.edu/
² http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=12686&SnID=1196850215