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<p>Small-scale palm oil processors in Ghana contribute significantly to national production but often use inefficient methods and release untreated wastewater and other environmental pollutants, which may pose serious threats to local ecosystems and public health. A life cycle assessment (LCA) study is essential to better understand the environmental impacts of the sector and promote sustainable practices. This study used the ISO-standardised LCA methodology to assess the environmental impacts associated with the production of 1&#xa0;kg of crude palm oil (CPO), focusing on the oil extraction stage of the product life cycle. Field data were obtained from selected local processors from Ghana’s Ashanti and Eastern Regions. The significant potential environmental impacts identified include global warming (1.53&#xa0;kg CO<sub>2</sub>eq.), eutrophication (1.95&#xa0;kg PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3−</sup>eq.), and human toxicity (2.5E-01&#xa0;kg 1,4-dichlorobenzene eq.). The discharge of untreated liquid wastes (also called palm oil mill effluent- POME) into the environment contributed to nearly all the eutrophication impacts. Methane emissions from the degradation of POME were found to contribute about 80% of the global warming impacts. Gaseous emissions and particulate matter from the burning of biomass fuels for boiling palm fruits were found to be responsible for the human toxicity impacts. Sensitivity analysis showed that the impacts of global warming and eutrophication are highly dependent on the amount of POME discharged into the environment. Treatment and/or reuse of POME is recommended to enhance the environmental sustainability of small-scale palm oil processing in Ghana.</p>

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Environmental impacts of Small-Scale palm oil production in Ghana: A life cycle assessment study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月30日

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  • Augustine Ntiamoah,
  • Bridget Ama Quansah,
  • Godfred Ohemeng-Boahen,
  • Nana Yaw Asiedu,
  • Ulrike Gayh,
  • Kenneth Bedu-Addo

摘要

Small-scale palm oil processors in Ghana contribute significantly to national production but often use inefficient methods and release untreated wastewater and other environmental pollutants, which may pose serious threats to local ecosystems and public health. A life cycle assessment (LCA) study is essential to better understand the environmental impacts of the sector and promote sustainable practices. This study used the ISO-standardised LCA methodology to assess the environmental impacts associated with the production of 1 kg of crude palm oil (CPO), focusing on the oil extraction stage of the product life cycle. Field data were obtained from selected local processors from Ghana’s Ashanti and Eastern Regions. The significant potential environmental impacts identified include global warming (1.53 kg CO2eq.), eutrophication (1.95 kg PO43−eq.), and human toxicity (2.5E-01 kg 1,4-dichlorobenzene eq.). The discharge of untreated liquid wastes (also called palm oil mill effluent- POME) into the environment contributed to nearly all the eutrophication impacts. Methane emissions from the degradation of POME were found to contribute about 80% of the global warming impacts. Gaseous emissions and particulate matter from the burning of biomass fuels for boiling palm fruits were found to be responsible for the human toxicity impacts. Sensitivity analysis showed that the impacts of global warming and eutrophication are highly dependent on the amount of POME discharged into the environment. Treatment and/or reuse of POME is recommended to enhance the environmental sustainability of small-scale palm oil processing in Ghana.