A Holistic Sustainability Assessment Framework for Evaluating Strategies to Prevent Nutrient Pollution

Abstract

Excessive nutrients from anthropogenic activities have caused eutrophication worldwide. While available assessment frameworks aid in selecting strategies to control nutrients, they often lack a holistic approach that considers social, ecological, and managerial categories to ensure long-term effectiveness for both point and non-point sources. This study addresses this gap by introducing a holistic sustainability framework with ten indicators derived from a literature review and stakeholder engagement. Quantitative and qualitative indicators were defined using either existing or newly designed methods. A weighted sum multi-criteria method was applied to calculate the total score for each strategy, considering indicator levels and weightings. The framework was applied to a case study in Hendry County, Florida, to demonstrate its applicability by assessing ten strategies. The same top-ranked strategy, alum treatment, was identified through this framework after applying 100 weighting scenarios. This demonstrates the robustness of strategy selection using the developed framework. This framework can be applied with limited data by prioritizing inputs related to five major contributors, effective cost, nutrient loading reduction, technology readiness level, benefit and direct impact, and labor operation and maintenance requirement, to the total score. These major indicators highlight the importance of considering social–ecological and managerial categories in addition to technological, environmental, and economic aspects in sustainability assessment of nutrient management strategies.