Cranfield University, Cranfield Water Science Institute, Bedford, MK43 0AL, UK.
J Sci Food Agric. 2014 Jan 15;94(1):2-8. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.6369. Epub 2013 Sep 19.
The availability of fresh water and the quality of aquatic ecosystems are important global concerns, and agriculture plays a major role. Consumers and manufacturers are increasingly sensitive to sustainability issues related to processed food products and drinks. The present study examines the production of sugar from the growing cycle through to processing to the factory gate, and identifies the potential impacts on water scarcity and quality and the ways in which the impact of water use can be minimised. We have reviewed the production phases and processing steps, and how calculations of water use can be complicated, or in some cases how assessments can be relatively straightforward. Finally, we outline several ways that growers and sugar processors are improving the efficiency of water use and reducing environmental impact, and where further advances can be made. This provides a template for the assessment of other crops.
淡水的供应和水生态系统的质量是全球关注的重要问题，而农业在其中扮演着重要的角色。消费者和制造商越来越关注与加工食品和饮料相关的可持续性问题。本研究考察了从种植周期到加工到工厂门口的糖的生产过程，并确定了对水资源短缺和质量的潜在影响，以及如何将水的使用影响降到最低。我们已经审查了生产阶段和加工步骤，以及如何使水的使用计算变得复杂，或者在某些情况下，如何使评估变得相对简单。最后，我们概述了种植者和糖加工者提高水利用效率和减少环境影响的几种方法，以及在哪些方面可以进一步改进。这为评估其他作物提供了一个模板。
