| Description |
1 online resource (x, 76 pages) : illustrations, maps |
| Physical Medium |
polychrome |
| Description |
text file |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Summary |
National interests in greater energy independence, concurrent with favorable market forces, have driven increased production of corn-based ethanol in the United States and research into the next generation of biofuels. The trend is changing the national agricultural landscape and has raised concerns about potential impacts on the nation's water resources. To help illuminate these issues, the National Research Council held a colloquium on July 12, 2007 in Washington, DC. This report, based in part on discussions at the colloquium, concludes that if projected future increases in use of corn for ethanol production do occur, the increase in harm to water quality could be considerable from the increases in fertilizer use, pesticide use, and soil erosion associated with growing crops such as corn. Water supply problems could also develop, both from the water needed to grow biofuels crops and water used at ethanol processing plants, especially in regions where water supplies are already overdrawn. The production of "cellulosic ethanol," derived from fibrous material such as wheat straw, native grasses, and forest trimmings is expected to have less water quality impact but cannot yet be produced on a commerical scale. To move toward a goal of reducing water impacts of biofuels, a policy bridge will likely be needed to encourage growth of new technologies, best agricultural practies, and the development of traditional and cellulosic crops that require less water and fertilizer and are optimized for fuel production. |
| Contents |
FrontMatter; Acknowledgments; Contents; Summary; 1 About Biomass, Biofuels, and Water; 2 Crop Water Availability and Use; 3 Water Quality; 4 Agricultural Practices and Technologies to Reduce Water Impacts; 5 Water Issues of Biofuel Production Plants; 6 Policy Options; Appendixes; Appendix A: Agenda for the Colloquium on Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United States; Appendix B: Water Science and Technology Board; Appendix C: Biographical Sketches for Committee on Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United States. |
| Local Note |
eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America |
| Subject |
Agriculture and energy -- United States.
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Agriculture and energy. |
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United States. |
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Fertilizers -- Environmental aspects -- United States.
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Fertilizers -- Environmental aspects. |
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Fertilizers. |
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Nutrient pollution of water -- United States.
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Nutrient pollution of water. |
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Biomass energy -- Environmental aspects -- United States.
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Biomass energy -- Environmental aspects. |
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Biomass energy. |
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Energy crops -- Environmental aspects -- United States.
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Energy crops. |
| Genre/Form |
Electronic books.
|
| Added Author |
National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United States.
|
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National Research Council (U.S.). Water Science and Technology Board.
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| Other Form: |
Print version: Water implications of biofuels production in the United States. Washington, DC : National Academies Press, ©2008 030911361X (DLC) 2009368579 (OCoLC)190824151 |
| ISBN |
9780309113625 (electronic book) |
|
0309113628 (electronic book) |
|
1281151580 |
|
9781281151582 |
|
9780309113618 |
|
030911361X (paperback) |
|
