Avaliação da atividade vitivinícola na Serra Gaúcha com vistas à elaboração de inventários do ciclo de vida da cadeia produtiva

Abstract

The viticulture and winery activities are highly representative in the southern region of Brazil, with potential impacts on the environment from the grape growing phase to the disposal of product packaging. The assessment of impacts can occur in different ways and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the tools that allow the assessment of environmental impacts at all stages of the production life cycle, thus helping to improve processes and products. In this context, this study objectifies to evaluate the viticulture and wine activities in the municipalities of Bento Gonçalves and Flores da Cunha, with a view to subsidizing the creation of life cycle inventories (LCI) of the wine producing chain. Data collection was carried out in loco in 71 viticulture properties and through documentary research in environmental licenses of 94 wineries. The characterization of properties and wineries took to into account a number of aspects such as: areas, water and energy consumption, sanitary sewage, solid waste generation, produced varieties, vine management, production purpose, consumption of raw materials and inputs, between others. The results found show that for the production of a bottle of wine, 1.07 kg of grapes are consumed and 17% of this amount is generated from bagasse, 4% from stalks and 2% from lees. Furthermore, water consumption for the production of grapes is 0.045 m³, while for the production of wine it is 0.00137 m³. Grape cultivation showed differences related to the cultivated grape varieties, mainly in relation to the pesticides used in each one. The data collected in environmental licenses showed great variation, especially among companies of different sizes. Data collection and treatment were the phases that involved the greatest degree of difficulty, especially in relation to primary data collection and calculation procedures. The characterization of properties and wine industries presented significant data for the construction of a database with a view to subsidizing the LCI oh the wine sector. The results, however, point to the need for greater depth and analysis so that the data are as representative as possible for LCA studies in a region. The results found still point to countless possibilities for future studies for which this study can serve as a basis. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]