Life cycle assessment of whiteleg shrimp farming in earthen vs. HDPE-lined ponds in India

Abstract

Whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) farming has expanded rapidly worldwide, contributing significantly to global seafood supply. However, concerns remain about its environmental impacts, particularly in India—a major exporter with diverse production systems. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)-lined ponds and earthen ponds are widely used, but their comparative environmental performance has not been comprehensively evaluated. This study aimed to quantify and compare the environmental impacts of intensive HDPE-lined and semi-intensive earthen pond shrimp farming systems along India's west coast. A cradle-to-farm-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted using SimaPro software and the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint method. Primary data were collected from 20 farms and one hatchery, covering seed production, feed use, and energy consumption. Environmental impacts were assessed across multiple categories, including Global Warming Potential (GWP), Terrestrial Acidification Potential (AC), and Marine Eutrophication Potential (EU). Results showed that HDPE-lined ponds had significantly higher GWP (369.04 vs. 268.06 kg CO₂ eq) and AC (1.20 vs. 0.94 kg SO₂ eq) per tonne of shrimp compared to earthen ponds, but lower EU (0.03 vs. 0.05 kg N eq). Seed production, electricity use, and feed emerged as the primary contributors to environmental impacts. Findings suggest that transitioning from HDPE-lined to earthen pond systems, adopting renewable energy sources such as solar aeration, and replacing fishmeal with plant-based alternatives could substantially improve the sustainability of Indian shrimp aquaculture.