Análise comparativa dos impactos ambientais na produção de camarões e avaliação de ciclo de vida: um estudo de caso no interior do ceará

Abstract

Shrimp farming has experienced significant growth in Ceará, accounting for 57% of national production in 2023. Around 127.5 thousand tons were produced in Brazil that year, representing a 13% increase compared to 2022. This highlights its economic relevance but also raises concerns about associated environmental impacts.Additionally, this study aims to evaluate the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in a small-scale farm cultivating Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp in the rural area of Morada Nova, Ceará. The LCA methodology was conducted through three visits to the farm. With authorization for data collection, it was possible to quantify and analyze environmental impacts using simulations in SimaPro® 9.6 software, which indicated the need for improvements in resource management, particularly in the initial stage of the production cycle.The study follows three phases: soil and pond preparation, grow-out, and harvesting. The results highlight that in the soil preparation phase, water pumping and the use of agricultural machinery are the main impact generators. In the grow-out phase, shrimp feeding based on feed with different protein levels and energy consumption were the most significant factors. Finally, during harvesting, technological resources such as fishing nets and storage boxes had minor contributions.The analysis identified critical impact categories, including global warming, eutrophication, and abiotic depletion. It is concluded that the application of LCA provides a comprehensive view of environmental impacts, serving as a valuable tool for the sustainable management of shrimp farming. The implementation of more efficient practices can minimize environmental damage while ensuring the economic and ecological viability of the activity.