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Khan N, Sudhakar K, Mamat R. Macroalgae farming for sustainable future: Navigating opportunities and driving innovation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28208. [PMID: 38560151 PMCID: PMC10981073 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Seaweed cultivation has garnered significant interest, driven by its wide range of biomass benefits. However, comprehensive assessments from various perspectives are imperative to ensure the sustainable cultivation of seaweed. Biotic and Abiotic factors can significantly impact seaweed yield in complex commercial farming. Biotic factors include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other algae, while abiotic factors include environmental conditions such as temperature, salinity, light intensity, and nutrient availability. Additionally, the susceptibility of seaweeds to pests and diseases further compounds the issue, leading to potential crop losses. This study endeavours to shed light on the immense potential of macroalgae cultivation and underscores the pressing need for scientific advancements in this field. The comprehensive review clearly explains the latest developments in seaweed cultivation and highlights significant advances from diverse seaweed research. Moreover, it provides insightful glimpses into possible future developments that could shape the trajectory of this promising industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nida Khan
- Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26300, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Centre of Research in Advanced Fluid and Processes (Fluid Centre), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26300, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - K. Sudhakar
- Centre for Automotive Engineering Centre, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pekan, 26600, Malaysia
- Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pekan, 26600, Pahang, Malaysia
- Energy Centre, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, 462003, India
| | - R. Mamat
- Centre for Automotive Engineering Centre, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pekan, 26600, Malaysia
- Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pekan, 26600, Pahang, Malaysia
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Li J, Bergman K, Thomas JBE, Gao Y, Gröndahl F. Life Cycle Assessment of a large commercial kelp farm in Shandong, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166861. [PMID: 37673254 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
The environmental benefits of seaweed cultivation have gained a lot of attention, both in policy strategies and by private companies. Sustainability evaluations of seaweed farming have however focused on a very small part of global production of seaweed - on European cultivations at research and pilot-scales although Asia stands for 99 % of global production with China alone producing 60 %. In this study, we use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of a 400-hectare Chinese kelp farm with a yearly harvest of 60,000 tons. Primary data from the farm was used to assess impacts up until harvest for the functional unit of 1 ton of fresh-weight kelp. Included in the LCA were impact on climate change, acidification terrestrial and marine eutrophication, and use of land water and energy. In addition, we calculated nutrient uptake. Further, we extracted inventory data of four published LCA studies of farmed kelp and recalculated environmental impacts, applying the same background data and method choices with the aim to compare the effects of scale and cultivation system. The results of the hotspot analysis showed that the plastic ropes and buoys dominated impacts on climate change, freshwater and marine eutrophication, and energy consumption. Consequently, the most effective improvement action was recycling after use. The yearly harvest of the Chinese farm was 1000-4000 times larger than previously evaluated farms compared. Results suggest that streamlined and mature production in the large-scale Chinese kelp farm led to lower electricity and fuel consumption compared to small-scale production, thus placing the Chinese farm with a climate impact of 57.5 kg CO2 eq. per ton fresh-weight kelp on the lower end when comparing the carbon footprint. There was a large variation in carbon footprints, which implies that the kelp cultivation sector has considerable room for optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Li
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China.
| | - Kristina Bergman
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering Teknikringen 10B, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jean-Baptiste E Thomas
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering Teknikringen 10B, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yonghui Gao
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Fredrik Gröndahl
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering Teknikringen 10B, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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Stuthmann LE, Achuthan R, Pribbernow M, Du HT, Springer K, Kunzmann A. Improving the nutritional value of edible Caulerpa lentillifera (Chlorophyta) using high light intensities. A realistic tool for sea grape farmers. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Life cycle assessment of a seaweed-based biorefinery concept for production of food, materials, and energy. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Zhang X, Boderskov T, Bruhn A, Thomsen M. Blue growth and bioextraction potentials of Danish Saccharina latissima aquaculture — A model of eco-industrial production systems mitigating marine eutrophication and climate change. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Jones AR, Alleway HK, McAfee D, Reis-Santos P, Theuerkauf SJ, Jones RC. Climate-Friendly Seafood: The Potential for Emissions Reduction and Carbon Capture in Marine Aquaculture. Bioscience 2022; 72:123-143. [PMID: 35145350 PMCID: PMC8824708 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biab126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaculture is a critical food source for the world's growing population, producing 52% of the aquatic animal products consumed. Marine aquaculture (mariculture) generates 37.5% of this production and 97% of the world's seaweed harvest. Mariculture products may offer a climate-friendly, high-protein food source, because they often have lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emission footprints than do the equivalent products farmed on land. However, sustainable intensification of low-emissions mariculture is key to maintaining a low GHG footprint as production scales up to meet future demand. We examine the major GHG sources and carbon sinks associated with fed finfish, macroalgae and bivalve mariculture, and the factors influencing variability across sectors. We highlight knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for GHG emissions reductions and carbon storage, including accounting for interactions between mariculture operations and surrounding marine ecosystems. By linking the provision of maricultured products to GHG abatement opportunities, we can advance climate-friendly practices that generate sustainable environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice R Jones
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Heidi K Alleway
- Nature Conservancy's Aquaculture Program, Arlington, Virginia, United States
| | - Dominic McAfee
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Seth J Theuerkauf
- NOAA National Marine Fisheries Office of Aquaculture, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
| | - Robert C Jones
- Nature Conservancy's Aquaculture Program, Arlington, Virginia, United States
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Collins N, Kumar Mediboyina M, Cerca M, Vance C, Murphy F. Economic and environmental sustainability analysis of seaweed farming: Monetizing carbon offsets of a brown algae cultivation system in Ireland. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 346:126637. [PMID: 34971774 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines the economic and environmental costs of seaweed cultivation (Alaria esculenta) in Ireland and evaluates the potential revenue made on the voluntary carbon offset market (VCOM). The life cycle assessment (LCA) results revealed the cultivation equipment with the polypropylene used for the cultivation lines contributes the highest share of impacts due to their replacement rate. This study suggests long-term employment of farm infrastructure and increased seaweed yield could enhance the environmental sustainability of the system. Moreover, life cycle costing (LCC) indicates the seaweed farm in Ireland is economically feasible over a 20-year lifespan. However, the revenue generated on the VCOM from the seaweed carbon assimilation was minimal, contributing to only 5% of the revenue. This study concludes that further development of the seaweed market with stabilized biomass prices and producing a range of viable products from seaweed biomass will be a major factor in the economic sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niall Collins
- School of Biosystems & Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Agriculture Building, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Maneesh Kumar Mediboyina
- School of Biosystems & Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Agriculture Building, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Mariana Cerca
- School of Biosystems & Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Agriculture Building, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Charlene Vance
- School of Biosystems & Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Agriculture Building, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala Murphy
- School of Biosystems & Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Agriculture Building, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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A Systematic Review on Seaweed Functionality: A Sustainable Bio-Based Material. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13116174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable development is an integrated approach to tackle ongoing global challenges such as resource depletion, environmental degradation, and climate change. However, a paradigm shift from a fossil-based economy to a bio-based economy must accomplish the circularity principles in order to be sustainable as a solution. The exploration of new feedstock possibilities has potential to unlock the bio-based economy’s true potential, wherein a cascading approach would maximize value creation. Seaweed has distinctive chemical properties, a fast growth rate, and other promising benefits beyond its application as food, making it a suitable candidate to substitute fossil-based products. Economic and environmental aspects can make seaweed a lucrative business; however, seasonal variation, cultivation, harvesting, and product development challenges have yet not been considered. Therefore, a clear forward path is needed to consider all aspects, which would lead to the commercialization of financially viable seaweed-based bioproducts. In this article, seaweed’s capability and probable functionality to aid the bio-based economy are systematically discussed. The possible biorefinery approaches, along with its environmental and economic aspects of sustainability, are also dealt with. Ultimately, the developmental process, by-product promotion, financial assistance, and social acceptance approach are summarized, which is essential when considering seaweed-based products’ feasibility. Besides keeping feedstock and innovative technologies at the center of bio-economy transformation, it is imperative to follow sustainable-led management practices to meet sustainable development goals.
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Préat N, De Troch M, van Leeuwen S, Taelman SE, De Meester S, Allais F, Dewulf J. Development of potential yield loss indicators to assess the effect of seaweed farming on fish landings. ALGAL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2018.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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van Oirschot R, Thomas JBE, Gröndahl F, Fortuin KP, Brandenburg W, Potting J. Explorative environmental life cycle assessment for system design of seaweed cultivation and drying. ALGAL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2017.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Seaweed Cultivation Laboratory Testing: Effects of Nutrients on Growth Rate of Ulva intestinalis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2017.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Seghetta M, Marchi M, Thomsen M, Bjerre AB, Bastianoni S. Modelling biogenic carbon flow in a macroalgal biorefinery system. ALGAL RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2016.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Milledge JJ, Harvey PJ. Potential process 'hurdles' in the use of macroalgae as feedstock for biofuel production in the British Isles. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY (OXFORD, OXFORDSHIRE : 1986) 2016; 91:2221-2234. [PMID: 27635107 PMCID: PMC4999046 DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This review examines the potential technical and energy balance hurdles in the production of seaweed biofuel, and in particular for the MacroBioCrude processing pipeline for the sustainable manufacture of liquid hydrocarbon fuels from seaweed in the UK. The production of biofuel from seaweed is economically, energetically and technically challenging at scale. Any successful process appears to require both a method of preserving the seaweed for continuous feedstock availability and a method exploiting the entire biomass. Ensiling and gasification offer a potential solution to these two requirements. However there is need for more data particularly at a commercial scale. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Milledge
- Algae Biotechnology Research Group, School of Science University of Greenwich Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime Kent ME4 4TB UK
| | - Patricia J Harvey
- Algae Biotechnology Research Group, School of Science University of Greenwich Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime Kent ME4 4TB UK
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A Review on the Valorization of Macroalgal Wastes for Biomethane Production. Mar Drugs 2016; 14:md14060120. [PMID: 27338422 PMCID: PMC4926079 DOI: 10.3390/md14060120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased use of terrestrial crops for biofuel production and the associated environmental, social and ethical issues have led to a search for alternative biomass materials. Terrestrial crops offer excellent biogas recovery, but compete directly with food production, requiring farmland, fresh water and fertilizers. Using marine macroalgae for the production of biogas circumvents these problems. Their potential lies in their chemical composition, their global abundance and knowledge of their growth requirements and occurrence patterns. Such a biomass industry should focus on the use of residual and waste biomass to avoid competition with the biomass requirements of the seaweed food industry, which has occurred in the case of terrestrial biomass. Overabundant seaweeds represent unutilized biomass in shallow water, beach and coastal areas. These eutrophication processes damage marine ecosystems and impair local tourism; this biomass could serve as biogas feedstock material. Residues from biomass processing in the seaweed industry are also of interest. This is a rapidly growing industry with algae now used in the comestible, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. The simultaneous production of combustible biomethane and disposal of undesirable biomass in a synergistic waste management system is a concept with environmental and resource-conserving advantages.
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