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Microalgae in a global world: New solutions for old problems?

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  • Vieira de Mendonça, Henrique
  • Assemany, Paula
  • Abreu, Mariana
  • Couto, Eduardo
  • Maciel, Alyne Martins
  • Duarte, Renata Lopes
  • Barbosa dos Santos, Marcela Granato
  • Reis, Alberto

Abstract

The human population blast has brought several problems related with the overconsumption of a wide range of feedstocks and natural resources conducting to their risk of depletion. The consumption of fossil fuels is an example, with increasing levels of exploitation and negative impacts caused by their use. Anthropogenic activities have triggered the over accumulation of many hazardous substances and wastes which are regarded to be detrimental to life in the Earth and to the various planet ecosystems. There is an urgent need to restore natural resources and unwanted residues and wastes to levels prior the demographic explosion. Microalgal biotechnology appears to be pivotal to achieve this goal in a near future to come. This review presents the current resource problems affecting the Earth and how microalgae are expected to be an important part of the solution, discussing how the production of renewable energy from microalgae can help in an integrated way to mitigate different environmental problems. Microalgae are able to convert wastewaters, CO2 and organic residues in marketable biomass for different uses, including biofuels, converting waste in value. An inventory of current microalgal-based biorefineries in operation as well as a directory of companies, products and applications are also presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Vieira de Mendonça, Henrique & Assemany, Paula & Abreu, Mariana & Couto, Eduardo & Maciel, Alyne Martins & Duarte, Renata Lopes & Barbosa dos Santos, Marcela Granato & Reis, Alberto, 2021. "Microalgae in a global world: New solutions for old problems?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(P1), pages 842-862.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:165:y:2021:i:p1:p:842-862
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.11.014
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    2. Kurt, Ç. & Ekinci, K. & Uysal, Ö., 2022. "The effect of LEDs on the growth and fatty acid composition of Botryococcus braunii," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 66-73.
    3. Marinič, Dana & Grilc, Miha & Hočevar, Brigita & Delrue, Florian & Likozar, Blaž, 2023. "Liquefaction, cracking and hydrogenation of microalgae biomass resources to CO2 negative advanced biofuels: Mechanisms, reaction microkinetics and modelling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 382-393.
    4. Zou, Xiaotong & Xu, Kaiwei & Chang, Wenjuan & Qu, Yanhui & Li, Yanpeng, 2021. "A novel microalgal biofilm reactor using walnut shell as substratum for microalgae biofilm cultivation and lipid accumulation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 676-685.
    5. Marcin Dębowski & Izabela Świca & Joanna Kazimierowicz & Marcin Zieliński, 2022. "Large Scale Microalgae Biofuel Technology—Development Perspectives in Light of the Barriers and Limitations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-23, December.

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