An Overview of Algae Biofuel Production and Potential Environmental Impact
- 8 June 2012
- journal article
- review article
- Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in Environmental Science & Technology
- Vol. 46 (13), 7073-7085
- https://doi.org/10.1021/es300917r
Abstract
Algae are among the most potentially significant sources of sustainable biofuels in the future of renewable energy. A feedstock with virtually unlimited applicability, algae can metabolize various waste streams (e.g., municipal wastewater, carbon dioxide from industrial flue gas) and produce products with a wide variety of compositions and uses. These products include lipids, which can be processed into biodiesel; carbohydrates, which can be processed into ethanol; and proteins, which can be used for human and animal consumption. Algae are commonly genetically engineered to allow for advantageous process modification or optimization. However, issues remain regarding human exposure to algae-derived toxins, allergens, and carcinogens from both existing and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as well as the overall environmental impact of GMOs. A literature review was performed to highlight issues related to the growth and use of algal products for generating biofuels. Human exposure and environmental impact issues are identified and discussed, as well as current research and development activities of academic, commercial, and governmental groups. It is hoped that the ideas contained in this paper will increase environmental awareness of issues surrounding the production of algae and will help the algae industry develop to its full potential.Keywords
This publication has 85 references indexed in Scilit:
- Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin bioassay of water quality of amur bay (the Sea of Japan)Contemporary Problems of Ecology, 2011
- Engineering Cyanobacteria To Synthesize and Export Hydrophilic ProductsApplied and Environmental Microbiology, 2010
- Microalgae as feedstock for biodiesel production: Carbon dioxide sequestration, lipid production and biofuel qualityJournal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 2010
- Culture of Microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in Wastewater for Biomass Feedstock ProductionApplied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 2009
- Biomass Production Potential of a Wastewater Alga Chlorella vulgaris ARC 1 under Elevated Levels of CO2 and TemperatureInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2009
- Microalgal triacylglycerols as feedstocks for biofuel production: perspectives and advancesThe Plant Journal, 2008
- Large‐scale biodiesel production from microalga Chlorella protothecoides through heterotrophic cultivation in bioreactorsBiotechnology & Bioengineering, 2007
- Commercial applications of microalgaeJournal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 2006
- Effect of temperature on growth, chemical composition and fatty acid composition of tropical Australian microalgae grown in batch culturesAquaculture, 2002
- Isolation and determination of cultural characteristics of microalgae which functions under CO2 enriched atmosphereEnergy Conversion and Management, 1992