Water–Energy–Food Nexus and Circular Economy Analysis of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) and Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Value Chains: A Life Cycle, Water Footprint, and Exergy Assessment with Turkish Case Studies

Abstract

This study applies an integrated water–energy–food (WEF) nexus approach to melon and grape value chains, combining life cycle assessment, water footprinting (blue/green/grey), carbon footprint, and exergy analysis within a circular economy framework. Türkiye, the fourth-largest melon producer (~1.7 Mt/yr) with over 80 indigenous grape cultivars, serves as the primary case study, supplemented by global data. In the wine chain, cultivation (37%) and glass packaging (28%) dominate global warming potential (GWP), with a baseline of 1.38 kg CO₂eq per 0.75 L bottle (ReCiPe 2016-H). Recovering pomace bioethanol, polyphenolic extracts, grape seed oil, and tartaric acid in a circular economy scenario lowers the footprint to 1.12 kg CO₂eq (−19%). Turkish wine grapes exhibit blue-water shares of 38–41%, well above the global 25%, reflecting irrigation reliance in semi-arid Anatolia (Elazığ, Diyarbakır, Cappadocia). Exergy analysis identifies refrigeration as the top energy sink (280 MJ/t grapes, 32%) and primary exergy destruction site (193 MJ/t; second-law efficiency: 31%). Fermentation records the lowest exergy efficiency (28%) due to the irreversibility of sugar-to-ethanol conversion. These findings demonstrate that combining WEF nexus management with circular bioeconomy strategies can substantially reduce the overall environmental burden, particularly in water-stressed agricultural regions.

Keywords

Circular bioeconomy / Cucumis melo / Exergy / LCA / Turkish agriculture / Vitis vinifera / Water footprint / WEF nexus

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