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The Significance of Forests and Algae in CO 2 Balance: A Hungarian Case Study

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  • Attila Bai

    (Institute of Business Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • József Popp

    (Institute of Sectoral Economics and Methodology, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Károly Pető

    (Institute of Rural Development, Tourism and Sports Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Irén Szőke

    (Institute of Business Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Mónika Harangi-Rákos

    (Institute of Sectoral Economics and Methodology, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Zoltán Gabnai

    (Institute of Business Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

Abstract

This study presents the sequestration and emissions of forests and algae related to CO 2 while providing a comparison to other biomass sources (arable crops, short rotation coppices). The goal of the paper is to analyze the impact of the current CO 2 balance of forests and the future prospects for algae. Our calculations are based on data, not only from the literature but, in the case of algae, from our own previous experimental work. It was concluded that the CO 2 sequestration and natural gas saving of forests is typically 3.78 times higher than the emissions resulting from the production technology and from the burning process. The economic and environmental protection-related efficiency operate in opposite directions. The CO 2 sequestration ability of algae can primarily be utilized when connected to power plants. The optimal solution could be algae production integrated with biogas power plants, since plant sizes are smaller and algae may play a role, not only in the elimination of CO 2 emissions and the utilization of heat but also in wastewater purification.

Suggested Citation

  • Attila Bai & József Popp & Károly Pető & Irén Szőke & Mónika Harangi-Rákos & Zoltán Gabnai, 2017. "The Significance of Forests and Algae in CO 2 Balance: A Hungarian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-24, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:5:p:857-:d:99186
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. KOVÁCS Edit Veronika & HARANGI-RÁKOS Mónika, 2020. "Cities Vs The Countryside €“ Pros And Cons Of Urban And Rural Life," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(1), pages 530-539, July.
    4. Arkadiusz Piwowar & Joanna Harasym, 2020. "The Importance and Prospects of the Use of Algae in Agribusiness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-13, July.

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