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Microalgae: a promising tool for carbon sequestration

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  • Uday Singh
  • A. Ahluwalia

Abstract

Increasing trends in global warming already evident, the likelihood of further rise continuing, and their impacts give urgency to addressing carbon sequestration technologies more coherently and effectively. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is responsible for over half the warming potential of all greenhouse gases (GHG), due to the dependence of world economies on fossil fuels. The processes involving CO 2 capture and storage (CCS) are gaining attention as an alternative for reducing CO 2 concentration in the ambient air. However, these technologies are considered as short-term solutions, as there are still concerns about the environmental sustainability of these processes. A promising technology could be the biological capture of CO 2 using microalgae due to its unmatched advantages over higher plants and ocean fertilization. Microalgae are phototrophic microorganisms with simple nutritional requirements, and comprising the major primary producers on this planet. Specific pathways include autotrophic production via both open pond or closed photobioreactor (PBR) systems. Photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae ranged from 10–20 % in comparison with 1–2 % of most terrestrial plants. Some algal species, during their exponential growth, can double their biomass in periods as short as 3.5 hours. Moreover, advantage of being tolerant of high concentration of CO 2 (flue gas), low light intensity requirements, environmentally sustainable, and co-producing added value products put these as the favoured organisms. Advantages of microalgae in comparison with other sequestration methodologies are discussed, which includes the cultivation systems, the key process parameters, wastewater treatment, harvesting and the novel bio-products produced by microalgal biomass. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Uday Singh & A. Ahluwalia, 2013. "Microalgae: a promising tool for carbon sequestration," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 73-95, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:masfgc:v:18:y:2013:i:1:p:73-95
    DOI: 10.1007/s11027-012-9393-3
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    2. Rashid, Naim & Ur Rehman, Muhammad Saif & Sadiq, Madeha & Mahmood, Tariq & Han, Jong-In, 2014. "Current status, issues and developments in microalgae derived biodiesel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 760-778.
    3. J. Pires & A. Gonçalves & F. Martins & M. Alvim-Ferraz & M. Simões, 2014. "Effect of light supply on CO 2 capture from atmosphere by Chlorella vulgaris and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 19(7), pages 1109-1117, October.
    4. Smith, Ron G. & Smith, Ian J. & Smith, Brendan D., 2018. "A novel strategy for sequestering atmospheric CO2: The use of sealed microalgal cultures located in the open-oceans," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 85-89.
    5. Al-lwayzy, Saddam H. & Yusaf, Talal, 2017. "Diesel engine performance and exhaust gas emissions using Microalgae Chlorella protothecoides biodiesel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 690-701.
    6. Leong, Yoong Kit & Chang, Jo-Shu, 2023. "Waste stream valorization-based low-carbon bioeconomy utilizing algae as a biorefinery platform," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    7. Lim, Yi An & Chong, Meng Nan & Foo, Su Chern & Ilankoon, I.M.S.K., 2021. "Analysis of direct and indirect quantification methods of CO2 fixation via microalgae cultivation in photobioreactors: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    8. Sharma, Yogesh Chandra & Singh, Veena, 2017. "Microalgal biodiesel: A possible solution for India’s energy security," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 72-88.
    9. Seonju Pyo & Byung-Sun Yu & Kyudong Han, 2024. "Development of an Effective Microalgae Cultivation System Utilizing CO 2 in the Air by Injecting CaCO 3," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-15, September.
    10. Ravindra Prasad & Sanjay Kumar Gupta & Nisha Shabnam & Carlos Yure B. Oliveira & Arvind Kumar Nema & Faiz Ahmad Ansari & Faizal Bux, 2021. "Role of Microalgae in Global CO 2 Sequestration: Physiological Mechanism, Recent Development, Challenges, and Future Prospective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-18, November.
    11. John J. Milledge & Benjamin Smith & Philip W. Dyer & Patricia Harvey, 2014. "Macroalgae-Derived Biofuel: A Review of Methods of Energy Extraction from Seaweed Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-29, November.
    12. Sharma, Rozi & Malaviya, Piyush, 2023. "Ecosystem services and climate action from a circular bioeconomy perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    13. Singh, Kripal & Ansari, Faiz Ahmad & Ingle, Kapilkumar Nivrutti & Gupta, Sanjay Kumar & Ahirwal, Jitendra & Dhyani, Shalini & Singh, Shraddha & Abhilash, P.C. & Rawat, Ismael & Byun, Chaeho & Bux, Fai, 2023. "Microalgae from wastewaters to wastelands: Leveraging microalgal research conducive to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    14. Zeng, Xianhai & Guo, Xiaoyi & Su, Gaomin & Danquah, Michael K. & Zhang, Shiduo & Lu, Yinghua & Sun, Yong & Lin, Lu, 2015. "Bioprocess considerations for microalgal-based wastewater treatment and biomass production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1385-1392.

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