Emergy evaluation of a pumping irrigation water production system in China

Abstract

The emergy concept was used to evaluate a pumping irrigation water production system in China. A framework for emergy evaluation of the significance of irrigation water and its production process was developed. The results show that the irrigation water saved has the highest emergy value (8.73E + 05 sej·J-1), followed by the irrigation water supplied to farmlands (1.72E + 05 sej·J-1), the pumped water (4.81E + 04 sej·J-1), with the lowest value shown from water taken from the local river (3.72E + 04 sej·J-1). The major contributions to the emergy needed for production are the inputs of soil and water. This production system could contribute to the irrigated agriculture and economy, according..