The effect of increasing CO2 concentrations on its capture, biomass production and wastewater bioremediation by microalgae and cyanobacteria

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Ana L. Gonçalves (Author) FEUP; Carla M. Rodrigues (Author) Other; José C.M. Pires (Author) FEUP; Manuel Simões (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Algal Research

Vol. 14

Pages: 127-136

ISSN: 2211-9264

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 51 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 64 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Process engineering > Bioprocess engineering ; Technological sciences > Engineering > Project engineering

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental engineering

Associated Projects

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-5T0

DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2016.01.008

Abstract (EN): The accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, as well as the enrichment of water courses in nutrients are environmental issues associated to numerous impacts on ecosystems. Several attempts have been made to address these issues, but the cost and sustainability of current methodologies are still a concern. Cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms appears as a sustainable solution because: (i) they can effectively uptake CO2 and nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus; and (ii) the resulting biomass can be processed into valuable products. In this study, the effect of different CO2 concentrations (from approximately 0.04 to 10% v/v) on CO2 capture, biomass production and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) uptake was assessed for the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and the cyanobacteria Synechocystis salina and Microcystis aeruginosa grown at laboratory scale under batch mode. For the studied range of CO2 concentrations, C. vulgaris, S. salina and M. aeruginosa have reached the highest biomass productivities (0.126 +/- 0.033 g(dw) L-1 d(-1)) and carbon fixation rates (0.101 +/- 0.027 g(C) L-1 d(-1)). These microorganisms have also been effective in nutrients uptake, reaching removal efficiencies close to 100%. Through mathematical modelling, it was possible to conclude that optimal CO2 concentration for these microorganisms was 5.35 +/- 0.34% (v/v).

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10