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What is the role of chemistry in life cycle assessment (LCA)?

In my interdisciplinary sustainability research, I'm coordinating with engineers and policy experts. To contribute effectively, I need a clearer, concrete understanding of how chemical mechanisms, stoichiometry, and material flows are quantified and modeled within an LCA framework to assess true environmental impact.

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By Pragya Answered 3 years ago

Chemistry is the operational bedrock of a credible LCA. I’ve worked on LCAs where vague assumptions about chemical yields or byproducts led to flawed conclusions. Your role is to provide the hard data: the stoichiometry of reactions, the enthalpy changes, the fate and toxicity of metabolites and emissions. You're essentially building a detailed material and energy flow model from a molecular perspective. This chemical inventory is the first and most crucial phase of an LCA; without accurate chemistry, the subsequent impact assessment on climate, ecotoxicity, or resource use lacks scientific rigor.

 

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