Assessment and Analysis of Metabolic Interactions and Water,Food, and Energy Nexus Using the MUSIASEM Framework (Case Study of the Harirud Transboundary Basin)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Water Resources Engineering Department, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2 Tarbiat Modares University

10.22059/jwim.2025.389988.1210

Abstract

Water, food, and energy, as interconnected systems, have significant mutual impacts on each other, and quantitative and qualitative changes in each system can adversely affect the others. The Harirud River located on the border between Iran and Afghanistan, as an example of an intertwined system, is a major supplier of drinking water for the metropolis of Mashhad and supports the agricultural needs of the Sarakhs Plain in Iran and also this river plays a vital role in Herat’s agriculture and energy supply in Afghanistan. However, in recent years, water supply as a key factor for the development of agriculture and energy in this basin, has faced challenges. political, social, and hydrological issues, along with inefficiencies in resources management are factors for such challenges at the basin level. This study provides an analytical framework that examines and compares the performance and processes of water, food, and energy systems at the national and basin levels using the concept of metabolism. The quantification of this approach is carried out based on reliable data and resources available at the watershed level. The results of this study reveal the significant dependence on such systems at the basin level and within the riparian countries, in such a way that Iran consumed 1,914 million cubic meters of water and 10,701 terajoules of energy annually to produce approximately 2.7 million tons of selected agricultural products. Afghanistan, meanwhile, produced 720 Thousand tons of agricultural products by consuming 1400 million cubic meters of water and 3.153 terajoules Energy. Additionally, the Salma powerplant has generated 197,000 megawatt-hours of electricity by utilizing a flow volume of 755 million cubic meters through its turbines. However, they remain highly dependent on food and energy imports. The results emphasize the necessity of strengthening cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan and establishing joint mechanisms to ensure the optimal management of the Harirud water resources.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Water and Irrigation Management

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 07 July 2025

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics