IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/waterr/v39y2025i7d10.1007_s11269-025-04099-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Life Cycle Water Footprint Analysis and Future Prediction Based on LSTM for Arundo donax in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production

Author

Listed:
  • Zongwei Zhang

    (Civil Aviation University of China
    Civil Aviation University of China)

  • Xinyuan Wang

    (Civil Aviation University of China)

  • Haonan Liu

    (Civil Aviation University of China)

  • Wenjie Li

    (Civil Aviation University of China)

Abstract

Under the background of the energy revolution and achieving net-zero carbon emissions, biofuels are regarded as a feasible and effective way to reduce carbon emissions. However, whether the use of biofuel will exacerbate the shortage of freshosources remains unclear. To compare the water requirements of biofuels and fossil fuels, we analyzed the life cycle water footprint (WFt) and carbon footprint when preparing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Arundo donax in Baicheng, Xinjiang, China. We also predicted the water footprint (WF) of Baicheng over the next 20 years based on the long short-term memory (LSTM) model. Meanwhile, to improve the accuracy of the predictions, this study adjusted the water footprint calculation method. The data come from predication showed that the WFt of Arundo donax in the Baicheng area ranged from 0.1902 to 0.1910 m³/MJ, the WFt of cottonseed and petroleum are 0.2117 m³/MJ and 0.0793 m³/MJ, respectively. The core life cycle assessment (LCA) value was 1.051 g CO₂/MJ. Overall, compared to fossil fuels, biofuels have a larger WF and reduce carbon emissions. Combining the predicted data with future developments, the WFt in this region showed a downward trend. From a practical perspective, based on the WF, carbon footprint, climate, and soil conditions in Xinjiang, Arundo donax is a suitable feedstock for bio-based aviation fuel and can be widely promoted in this area. However, further improvements in various aspects are required.

Suggested Citation

  • Zongwei Zhang & Xinyuan Wang & Haonan Liu & Wenjie Li, 2025. "Life Cycle Water Footprint Analysis and Future Prediction Based on LSTM for Arundo donax in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 39(7), pages 3109-3128, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:39:y:2025:i:7:d:10.1007_s11269-025-04099-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-025-04099-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11269-025-04099-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11269-025-04099-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. T. R. Sreeshna & P. Athira & B. Soundharajan, 2024. "Impact of Climate Change on Regional Water Availability and Demand for Agricultural Production: Application of Water Footprint Concept," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 38(10), pages 3785-3817, August.
    2. Xiaodong Guo & Chen Hao & Shuwen Niu, 2020. "Analysis of Oil Import Risk and Strategic Petroleum Reserve: The Case of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-20, May.
    3. Manish Yadav & B. B. Vashisht & S. K. Jalota & T. Jyolsna & Samar Pal Singh & Arun Kumar & Amit Kumar & Gurjeet Singh, 2024. "Improving Water Efficiencies in Rural Agriculture for Sustainability of Water Resources: A Review," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 38(10), pages 3505-3526, August.
    4. Gerbens-Leenes, P.W. & Hoekstra, A.Y. & van der Meer, Th., 2009. "The water footprint of energy from biomass: A quantitative assessment and consequences of an increasing share of bio-energy in energy supply," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(4), pages 1052-1060, February.
    5. Volker Grewe & Arvind Gangoli Rao & Tomas Grönstedt & Carlos Xisto & Florian Linke & Joris Melkert & Jan Middel & Barbara Ohlenforst & Simon Blakey & Simon Christie & Sigrun Matthes & Katrin Dahlmann, 2021. "Evaluating the climate impact of aviation emission scenarios towards the Paris agreement including COVID-19 effects," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Huiyi Liang & Ke Liu & Xinghua Zhang & Qi Zhang & Lungang Chen & Yubao Chen & Xiuzheng Zhuang & Longlong Ma, 2025. "Recent Advances of the Electrochemical Hydrogenation of Biofuels and Chemicals from Furfural," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-16, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. White, David J. & Hubacek, Klaus & Feng, Kuishuang & Sun, Laixiang & Meng, Bo, 2018. "The Water-Energy-Food Nexus in East Asia: A tele-connected value chain analysis using inter-regional input-output analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 550-567.
    2. Pipatpong Fakfare & Walanchalee Wattanacharoensil, 2023. "Low‐carbon tourism for island destinations: A crucial alternative for sustainable development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(1), pages 180-197, February.
    3. Holmatov, B. & Hoekstra, A.Y. & Krol, M.S., 2019. "Land, water and carbon footprints of circular bioenergy production systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 224-235.
    4. Tan, Raymond R. & Aviso, Kathleen B. & Barilea, Ivan U. & Culaba, Alvin B. & Cruz, Jose B., 2012. "A fuzzy multi-regional input–output optimization model for biomass production and trade under resource and footprint constraints," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 154-160.
    5. Zhang, Ping & Zhuo, La & Li, Meng & Liu, Yilin & Wu, Pute, 2023. "Assessment of advanced bioethanol potential under water and land resource constraints in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 359-371.
    6. María Jesús Beltrán & Esther Velázquez, 2011. "Del metabolismo social al metabolismo hídrico," Documentos de Trabajo de la Asociación de Economía Ecológica en España 01_2011, Asociación de Economía Ecológica en España.
    7. Hoelzen, J. & Silberhorn, D. & Schenke, F. & Stabenow, E. & Zill, T. & Bensmann, A. & Hanke-Rauschenbach, R., 2025. "H2-powered aviation – Optimized aircraft and green LH2 supply in air transport networks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    8. Gössling, Stefan & Humpe, Andreas, 2023. "Net-zero aviation: Time for a new business model?," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    9. Ankur Sharma & Prajakta Prabhakar Surkar & Ruchi Khare & Mahendra Kumar Choudhary & Vishnu Prasad, 2024. "Quantifying the Irrigation Requirements for Major Crops Under the Influence of Climate Change in a Semi-Arid Region," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 38(14), pages 5645-5660, November.
    10. Nackley, Lloyd L. & Vogt, Kristiina A. & Kim, Soo-Hyung, 2014. "Arundo donax water use and photosynthetic responses to drought and elevated CO2," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 13-22.
    11. Liu, Yitong & Chen, Bin & Wei, Wendong & Shao, Ling & Li, Zhi & Jiang, Weizhong & Chen, Guoqian, 2020. "Global water use associated with energy supply, demand and international trade of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    12. Hoekman, S. Kent & Broch, Amber & Liu, Xiaowei (Vivian), 2018. "Environmental implications of higher ethanol production and use in the U.S.: A literature review. Part I – Impacts on water, soil, and air quality," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 3140-3158.
    13. Scherer, Laura & Pfister, Stephan, 2016. "Global water footprint assessment of hydropower," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 711-720.
    14. Farajiamiri, Mina & Meyer, Jörn-Christian & Walther, Grit, 2023. "Multi-objective optimization of renewable fuel supply chains regarding cost, land use, and water use," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    15. Saeed Hadian & Kaveh Madani, 2013. "The Water Demand of Energy: Implications for Sustainable Energy Policy Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(11), pages 1-14, November.
    16. Rodriguez, Renata del G. & Scanlon, Bridget R. & King, Carey W. & Scarpare, Fabio V. & Xavier, Alexandre C. & Pruski, Fernando F., 2018. "Biofuel-water-land nexus in the last agricultural frontier region of the Brazilian Cerrado," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 1330-1345.
    17. Xinxing Wei & Xilin Shi & Yinping Li & Peng Li & Mingnan Xu & Yashuai Huang & Yang Hong, 2025. "A Review of Enhanced Methods for Oil Recovery from Sediment Void Oil Storage in Underground Salt Caverns," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-25, January.
    18. Wu, Zitao & Zhai, Haibo, 2021. "Consumptive life cycle water use of biomass-to-power plants with carbon capture and sequestration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    19. Chye Ing Lim & Wahidul Biswas, 2015. "An Evaluation of Holistic Sustainability Assessment Framework for Palm Oil Production in Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(12), pages 1-27, December.
    20. Zhu, Yuli & Liang, Ji & Yang, Qing & Zhou, Hewen & Peng, Kun, 2019. "Water use of a biomass direct-combustion power generation system in China: A combination of life cycle assessment and water footprint analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:39:y:2025:i:7:d:10.1007_s11269-025-04099-5. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.