Comparisons of life cycle assessments of chemical andthermal weed control methods

Chemical methods are widely used for weed control. However, due to the negative environmental impact of pesticides, researchers have been working on alternative methods for many years. One of the alternative methods is the use of thermal methods and the application of flame using propane (LPG). Although there are studies on the use of chemicals (herbicides) and the application of thermal methods, it is seen that the life cycles of these methods have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the use of a selected herbicide with the use of LPG by performing life cycle analysis (LCA). For this purpose, life cycle analyzes of the selected herbicide (Nicosulfuron) and LPG were performed in accordance with ISO 14044 standard using SimaPro software. According to the comparisons of the analyzes; global warming potential was found to be 0.00743 kg CO2 eq in 1 m2 area for LPG method, whereas much lower rate (0.00155 kg CO2 eq in 1 m2) was found for Nicosulfuron herbicide. In terms of its effect on human health, -0,001105591 kg 1,4-DB eq was found for 1 m2 area for flaming with LPG and 0.004845366 kg 1,4-DB eq was found for Nicosulfuron herbicide applications. Regarding depletion of natural resources, -1,63088E-09 kg Sb eq and 1,21467E-08 kg Sb eq were found for LPG and herbicide uses, respectively, suggesting more toxicity in the case of herbicide application. Other impact categories including marine ecotoxicity, river ecotoxicity, depletion of natural resources (non-fossil) eutrophication, acidification, terrestrial ecotoxicity, photochemical oxidation, and ozone layer values were also compared in the evaluations.