Microalgae-mediated biofixation as an innovative technology for flue gases towards carbon neutrality: A comprehensive review.

Microalgae-mediated industrial flue gas biofixation has been widely discussed as a clean alternative for greenhouse gas mitigation. Through photosynthetic processes, microalgae can fix carbon dioxide (CO2) and other compounds and can also be exploited to obtain high value-added products in a circular economy. One of the major limitations of this bioprocess is the high concentrations of CO2, sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in flue gases, according to the origin of the fuel, that can inhibit photosynthesis and reduce the process efficiency. To overcome these limitations, researchers have recently developed new technologies and enhanced process configurations, thereby increased productivity and CO2 removal rates. Overall, CO2 biofixation rates from flue gases by microalgae ranged from 72 mg L-1 d -1 to over 435 mg L-1 d-1, which were directly influenced by different factors, mainly the microalgae species and photobioreactor. Additionally, mixotrophic culture have shown potential in improving microalgae productivity. Progress in developing new reactor configurations, with pilot-scale implementations was observed, resulting in an increase in patents related to the subject and in the implementation of companies using combustion gases in microalgae culture. Advancements in microalgae-based green technologies for environmental impact mitigation have led to more efficient biotechnological processes and opened large-scale possibilities.

Magnetic field as promoter of growth in outdoor and indoor assays of Chlorella fusca.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of a magnetic field (MF) intensity of 25 mT on Chlorella fusca cultivation in outdoor and indoor conditions, and evaluate the changes in the macromolecules, pigment content and protein profile. C. fusca was cultivated for 15 d in raceway photobioreactor. MF was applied for 24 h d-1 and 1 h d-1. In outdoor cultivation, MF applied for 24 h d-1 increased 23% in the biomass concentration, while indoor assays resulted in an increase in both modes, with biomass production increasing between 70 and 85%. Biomass composition was altered when MF was applied for 1 h d-1 in indoor assays; the highest protein content was achieved (32.7%). Nitrate consumption was higher in outdoor assays, while MF application did not alter the protein profile. The results showed that combining the outdoor conditions with MF is advantageous, as higher biomass concentration can be achieved with lower energy expenditure.

Persulfate mediated solar photo-Fenton aiming at wastewater treatment plant effluent improvement at neutral PH: emerging contaminant removal, disinfection, and elimination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

This work investigated an innovative alternative to improve municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent (MWWTP effluent) quality aiming at the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (caffeine, carbendazim, and losartan potassium), and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), as well as disinfection (E. coli). Persulfate was used as an alternative oxidant in the solar photo-Fenton process (solar/Fe/S2O82-) due to its greater stability in the presence of matrix components. The efficiency of solar/Fe/S2O82- at neutral pH using intermittent iron additions is unprecedented in the literature. At first, solar/Fe/S2O82- was performed in a solar simulator (30 W m-2) leading to more than 60% removal of CECs, and the intermittent iron addition strategy was proved effective. Then, solar/Fe/S2O82- and solar/Fe/H2O2 were compared in semi-pilot scale in a raceway pond reactor (RPR) and a cost analysis was performed. Solar/Fe/S2O82- showed higher efficiencies of removal of target CECs (55%), E. coli (3 log units), and ARB (3 to 4 log units) within 1.9 kJ L-1 of accumulated irradiation compared to solar/Fe/H2O2 (CECs, 49%; E. coli, 2 log units; ARB, 1 to 3 log units in 2.5 kJ L-1). None of the treatments generated acute toxicity upon Allivibrio fischeri. Lower total cost was obtained using S2O82- (0.6 € m-3) compared to H2O2 (1.2 € m-3). Therefore, the iron intermittent addition aligned to the use of persulfate is suitable for MWWTP effluent quality improvement at neutral pH.

Aluminized surface to improve solar light absorption in open reactors: Application for micropollutants removal in effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants.

This work proposes the evaluation of an aluminized surface on the bottom of open reactors to perform a photo-Fenton process, at circumneutral pH (using Fe III-Ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid complex), for elimination of micropollutants (MPs) in real effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants (EMWWTP). Firstly, the strategy was to initially investigate the real EMWWTP spiked with several MPs (acetaminophen, diclofenac, carbamazepine, caffeine, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) with 20 and 100 µg L-1 in a laboratory scale (evaluated by HPLC-UV) using a solar simulator. Finally, the removal of all MCs present in the real EMWWTP was monitored (evaluated by HPLC-MS) in a pilot-scale (90 L) in a raceway pond reactor (RPR). The treatment time required for degradation above 80% for the investigated MPs was over 30 min, and the predominant effect could be mainly associated with organics present in the real EMWWTP due to the light attenuation and scavenging of radical species. Moreover, the results confirmed that chloride and sulfate would most likely equally not affect the process. The use of an aluminized surface on the bottom of RPRs has been confirmed as a suitable option to improve the photo-Fenton reaction, enabling the use of lower doses of iron. Up to 60 different MPs found in EMWWTP have been successfully degraded using 0.1 mM of Fe at circumneutral pH with a consumption of 30 mg L-1 H2O2 with less than 45 min.

Effect of depth of high-rate ponds on the assimilation of CO2 by microalgae cultivated in domestic sewage.

This study evaluated the effect of high-rate ponds (HRPs) of different depths (20, 30 and 40 cm) on the carbon assimilation by microalgae cultivated in domestic sewage. The efficiency of the dissolution provided by the carbonation column and the carbon release to the atmosphere through the movement of the paddle wheels were also investigated. Dissolution efficiencies of 50%, 48% and 46% were obtained in the HRPs of 20, 30 and 40 cm depth, respectively. These differences can be attributed to the time necessary to recirculate the volume of each HRP in the carbonation column. The volumetric mass transfer coefficients regarding the release to the atmosphere were 0.0007, 0.0005 and 0.0004 min-1 for the 20, 30 and 40 cm HRPs, respectively. The carbon assimilation by the biomass was inversely proportional to depth, with values of 90%, 72% and 68% for the 20, 30 and 40 cm HRPs, respectively. Chlorophyll-a concentration was also higher in the 20 cm HRP. The radiation attenuation at the beginning of the operation was similar among the treatments, resulting in a greater fraction of the pond depth with available radiation in the 20 cm HRP.

Pentoses and light intensity increase the growth and carbohydrate production and alter the protein profile of Chlorella minutissima.

High concentrations of carbon, which is considered a necessary element, are required for microalgal growth. Therefore, the identification of alternative carbon sources available in large quantities is increasingly important. This study evaluated the effects of light variation and pentose addition on the carbohydrate content and protein profile of Chlorella minutissima grown in a raceway photobioreactor. The kinetic parameters, carbohydrate content, and protein profile of Chlorella minutissima and its theoretical potential for ethanol production were estimated. The highest cellular concentrations were obtained with a light intensity of 33.75µmol.m-2.s-1. Arabinose addition combined with a light intensity of 33.75µmol.m-2.s-1 increased the carbohydrate content by 53.8% and theoretically produced 39.1mL·100g-1 ethanol. All of the assays showed that a lower light availability altered the protein profile. The luminous intensity affects xylose and arabinose assimilation and augments the carbohydrate content in C. minutissima, making this microalga appropriate for bioethanol production.

Biomass and lipid production from Nannochloropsis oculata growth in raceway ponds operated in sequential batch mode under greenhouse conditions.

The effect of sequential batch cultures of the marine microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata on lipid and biomass production was studied in 200-L raceway ponds for 167 days (nine harvesting cycles) during winter and spring seasons under greenhouse conditions. The highest biomass concentration and productivity were 1.2 g/L and 49.8 mg/L/day on days 73 (5th cycle) and 167 (9th cycle), respectively. The overall interval of lipid production was between 131 and 530 mg/L. Despite the daily and seasonal variations of light irradiance (0-1099 µmol photon/m2 s), greenhouse temperature (2.1-50.7 °C), and culture temperature (12.5-31.4 °C), ANOVA analysis showed no statistical difference (p value > 0.01) on the fatty acid methyl ester (FAMES) composition over the nine harvesting cycles evaluated. The most abundant FAMES were palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0) and palmitoleic (C16:1∆9) acids with 37.1, 28.6, and 8.4 %, respectively. The sequential batch cultures of N. oculata in raceway ponds showed an increasing biomass production in each new cycle while keeping the quality of the fatty acid mixture under daily and seasonal variations of light irradiance and temperature.

Effect of broodstock holding environment on egg quality in farmed brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Brown trout (Salmo trutta) broodstock from a single population were separated prior to spawning andexposed to two different holding environments: a ‘raceway system and a ‘tank system. Eggs were stripped from females and 13 measures of egg qualitywere collected, analysed individually, combined by principle components analysis into an integrated egg quality score which was validated against egg survival.The multivariate egg quality score (PC1) differed for fish held in the tank and raceway systems. Egg survival, chorion breaking strength and chorion Se concentrations were higher in eggs produced by broodstock held in the tank system compared to those in the raceway system. In contrast, chorion concentrations of P and K were higher in eggs from fish held in the raceway system. The results suggest that brown trout broodstock reared in tank systems produced higher quality eggs compared to trout reared in raceways. Finally, this study also indicates that multivariate statistical analysis can be used to determine egg quality from multiple egg parameters.(AU)

Effect of broodstock holding environment on egg quality in farmed brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Brown trout (Salmo trutta) broodstock from a single population were separated prior to spawning andexposed to two different holding environments: a ‘raceway system’ and a ‘tank system’. Eggs were stripped from females and 13 measures of egg qualitywere collected, analysed individually, combined by principle components analysis into an integrated egg quality score which was validated against egg survival.The multivariate egg quality score (PC1) differed for fish held in the tank and raceway systems. Egg survival, chorion breaking strength and chorion Se concentrations were higher in eggs produced by broodstock held in the tank system compared to those in the raceway system. In contrast, chorion concentrations of P and K were higher in eggs from fish held in the raceway system. The results suggest that brown trout broodstock reared in tank systems produced higher quality eggs compared to trout reared in raceways. Finally, this study also indicates that multivariate statistical analysis can be used to determine egg quality from multiple egg parameters.

Optimization of carbon dioxide supply in raceway reactors: Influence of carbon dioxide molar fraction and gas flow rate.

Influence of CO2 composition and gas flow rate to control pH in a pilot-scale raceway producing Scenedesmus sp. was studied. Light and temperature determined the biomass productivity whereas neither the CO2 molar fraction nor the gas flow rate used influenced it; because pH was always controlled and carbon limitation did not take place. The CO2 molar fraction and the gas flow rate influenced carbon loss in the system. At low CO2 molar fraction (2-6%) or gas flow rate (75-100l·min(-1)) the carbon efficiency in the sump was higher than 95%, 85% of the injected carbon being transformed into biomass. Conversely, at high CO2 molar fraction (14%) or gas flow rate (150l·min(-1)) the carbon efficiency in the sump was lower than 67%, 32% of the carbon being fixed as biomass. Analysis here reported allows the pH control to be optimized and production costs to be reduced by optimizing CO2 efficiency.

Avaliação da utilização do dióxido de carbono proveniente da fermentação alcoólica no cultivo de Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis: uso simultâneo de nitrato de sódio e sulfato de amônio como fontes de nitrogênio em fotobiorreator abert / Evaluation of the use of carbon dioxide from alcoholic fermentation on Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis cultivation: simultaneous use of sodium nitrate and ammonium sulphate as nitrogen sources in open photobioreactor

O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi a avaliação do potencial da utilização do dióxido de carbono proveniente da fermentação alcoólica no cultivo Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis, visando demonstrar a possibilidade do uso de um gás efluente na produção de biomassa microbiana de alto valor comercial. Para tanto, tal cianobactéria foi cultivada em tanques abertos, em escala laboratorial, em temperatura de 30 ± 1 °C e intensidade luminosa de 156 ± 20 µmol fótons m-2 s-1. O estudo de diversas variáveis de cultivo levou à fixação das seguintes condições: concentração do inóculo de 400 ± 20 mg L-1; pH de 9,0 ± 0,3, controlado por meio da adição de dióxido de carbono proveniente de cilindros; meio de cultura Schlõsser, modificado de maneira a conter 0,497 e 16,4 g L-1 de carbonato e bicarbonato de sódio, respectivamente, e apenas 5,9 mM de nitrato de sódio; adição de 7,5 mM de sulfato de amônio no decorrer de 13 dias, em quantidades diárias exponencialmente crescentes, através do processo descontínuo alimentado de cultivo. Sob tais condições foram obtidos os seguintes resultados: concentração celular máxima (Xm) de 2990 mg L-1, produtividade celular (PX) de 185 mg L-1 d-1, velocidade específica máxima de crescimento (µm) de 0,42 d-1, fator de conversão de nitrogênio em células (YX/N) de 8,85 mg mg-1, teor final de clorofila (CLf) de 4,3 mg g-1, e teores de proteínas (PTN) e lipídeos (LIP) de 35 e 21 %, respectivamente. Com a finalidade de estimular o crescimento celular de A. platensis, optou-se por aumentar o valor da intensidade luminosa de 156 para 192 ou 252 ± 20 µmol fótons m-2 s-1 no 5º, 8º ou 11º dia de cultivo. Os melhores resultados cinéticos (Xm = 3954 mg L-1, PX = 253 mg L-1 d-1) e de conteúdo da biomassa (CLf = 4,2 mg g-1, PTN = 28 %, LIP = 19 %) foram obtidos com aumento da intensidade luminosa para 192 ± 20 µmol fótons m-2 s-1 no 8º dia de cultivo. Os ensaios realizados sob tais condições otimizadas, porém com dióxido de carbono...

The main objective of this work was the evaluation of the potential of using carbon dioxide from alcoholic fermentation on Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis cultivation, aiming to prove the feasibility of applying an effluent gas in the production of high added-value microbial biomass. In order to do so, the cyanobacterium was cultivated in laboratorial-scale open raceway tanks at temperature 30 ± 1 °C and light intensity 156 ± 20 µmol photons m-2 s-1. After the study of several cultivation variables, the following conditions were set: inoculum concentration 400 ± 20 mg L-1; pH 9,0 ± 0,3, controlled by the addition of carbon dioxide from cylinders; Schlõsser medium, modified as to contain 0,497 and 16,4 g L-1 sodium carbonate and bicarbonate, respectively, and only 5,9 mM sodium nitrate; addition of 7,5 mM ammonium sulphate throughout 13 days, at exponentially increasing amounts, by the fed-batch cultivation process. Under such conditions, the following results were obtained: maximum cell concentration Xm = 2990 mg L-1, cell productivity PX = 185 mg L-1 d-1, maximum specific growth rate µm = 0,42 d-1, cell to nitrogen conversion factor YX/N = 8,85 mg mg-1, final chlorophyll content CLf = 4,3 mg g-1, and content of proteins (PTN) and lipids (LIP) of 35 and 21 %, respectively. Objectiving further optimized A. platensis growth, it was chosen to increase the light intensity from 156 to 192 or 252 ± 20 µmol photons m-2 s-1 on the 5th, 8th or 11th day of cultivation. The best results in terms of growth (Xm = 3954 mg L-1, PX = 253 mg L-1 d-1) and biomass content (CLf = 4,2 mg g-1, PTN = 28 %, LIP = 19 %) were reached with increasing the light intensity to 192 ± 20 µmol photons m-2 s-1 on the 8th day of cultivation. The runs carried out under such optimum conditions, but using carbon dioxide from alcoholic fermentation, led to the following results: Xm = 3298 mg L-1, PX = 206 mg L-1 d-1, CLf = 4,0 mg g-1, PTN = 28 %, LIP = 17 %. Conclusively, the...

Interação do exercício de natação sustentada e da densidade de estocagem no desempenho e na composição corporal de juvenis de matrinxã Brycon amazonicus / Sustained swimming and stocking density interaction in the performance and body composition of matrinxã Brycon amazonicus juveniles

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar o efeito da densidade de estocagem associada ao exercício de natação moderada no desempenho e na composição corporal de juvenis de matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus). Foram utilizados peixes com comprimento e peso médio inicial de 12,3±0,5cm e 18,4±0,1g, os quais foram distribuídos ao acaso em dois grupos: o primeiro grupo de peixes foi estocado em três densidades correspondendo a 88, 176 e 353 peixes m-3 e foi condicionado a nadar a uma velocidade de 1,0cc s-1 (comprimento corporal por segundo) em tanques circulares de 250L, durante 70 dias. O segundo grupo de peixes foi mantido nas mesmas densidades em água parada (sem exercício) perfazendo no total seis tratamentos com três repetições. Foram estimados parâmetros de desempenho e da composição corporal, particularmente do músculo branco e do músculo vermelho de ambos os grupos. Os resultados mostraram que o exercício e a densidade afetaram significativamente o crescimento e a composição dos músculos do matrinxã. O grupo de peixes criados sob exercício moderado na densidade de 176 peixes m-3 apresentou melhor desempenho (P<0,05), que se refletiu em maior crescimento e uniformidade do peso, além de melhor fator de condição, conversão alimentar e sobrevivência. Além disso, o exercício de natação sustentada aumentou tanto a concentração de proteína no músculo branco, como a deposição de lipídios no músculo vermelho nesse mesmo grupo de peixes. Já em altas densidades de estocagem, os resultados foram contrários. Portanto, a criação de juvenis de matrinxã sob condições de exercício moderado e em densidades próximas a 176 peixes m-3 é a mais indicada, já que se foram observadas as melhores respostas de crescimento e desempenho, além de mudanças benéficas na composição corporal. Essas mudanças resultaram em melhor condicionamento físico, possibilitando, assim, maior tolerância a altas densidades de criação.(AU)

The aim of the present study was to gauge the effect of stocking density associated to the sustained swimming on the performance and body composition of matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) juveniles. The fish were initially sized at 12.3±0.5cm length and 18.4g±0.1g weight. They were distributed randomly in two groups: the first was arranged into three densities of 88, 176 and 353 fish m-3 and conditioned to swim at 1.0BL sec-1 in circular tanks of 250L for 70 days; the second was arranged in the same fish densities but in static waters performing six treatments with three repetitions. Performance and body compositions were estimated in white and red muscles for both groups. The results express the growth and muscle composition change in response to the exercise and fish density. The fish maintained in moderate swimming at 176 fish m-3 depicted the best performance (P<0.05), reflected as best growth, weight uniformity, conditioning factor, feed conversion and survival. Otherwise, the sustained swimming enhanced the white muscle protein concentration and the red muscle lipid deposition in the same group of fish. Yet, the results were opposite in high fish densities. Therefore, the rearing of matrinxã juveniles under moderate sustained swimming and near to 176 fish m-3 is suggested, since the best responses of growth and performance, and beneficial body changes were observed. These responses resulted in better body conditioning allowing higher tolerance to high fish densities.(AU)

Interação do exercício de natação sustentada e da densidade de estocagem no desempenho e na composição corporal de juvenis de matrinxã Brycon amazonicus / Sustained swimming and stocking density interaction in the performance and body composition of matrinxã Brycon amazonicus juveniles

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar o efeito da densidade de estocagem associada ao exercício de natação moderada no desempenho e na composição corporal de juvenis de matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus). Foram utilizados peixes com comprimento e peso médio inicial de 12,3±0,5cm e 18,4±0,1g, os quais foram distribuídos ao acaso em dois grupos: o primeiro grupo de peixes foi estocado em três densidades correspondendo a 88, 176 e 353 peixes m-3 e foi condicionado a nadar a uma velocidade de 1,0cc s-1 (comprimento corporal por segundo) em tanques circulares de 250L, durante 70 dias. O segundo grupo de peixes foi mantido nas mesmas densidades em água parada (sem exercício) perfazendo no total seis tratamentos com três repetições. Foram estimados parâmetros de desempenho e da composição corporal, particularmente do músculo branco e do músculo vermelho de ambos os grupos. Os resultados mostraram que o exercício e a densidade afetaram significativamente o crescimento e a composição dos músculos do matrinxã. O grupo de peixes criados sob exercício moderado na densidade de 176 peixes m-3 apresentou melhor desempenho (P<0,05), que se refletiu em maior crescimento e uniformidade do peso, além de melhor fator de condição, conversão alimentar e sobrevivência. Além disso, o exercício de natação sustentada aumentou tanto a concentração de proteína no músculo branco, como a deposição de lipídios no músculo vermelho nesse mesmo grupo de peixes. Já em altas densidades de estocagem, os resultados foram contrários. Portanto, a criação de juvenis de matrinxã sob condições de exercício moderado e em densidades próximas a 176 peixes m-3 é a mais indicada, já que se foram observadas as melhores respostas de crescimento e desempenho, além de mudanças benéficas na composição corporal. Essas mudanças resultaram em melhor condicionamento físico, possibilitando, assim, maior tolerância a altas densidades de criação.

The aim of the present study was to gauge the effect of stocking density associated to the sustained swimming on the performance and body composition of matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) juveniles. The fish were initially sized at 12.3±0.5cm length and 18.4g±0.1g weight. They were distributed randomly in two groups: the first was arranged into three densities of 88, 176 and 353 fish m-3 and conditioned to swim at 1.0BL sec-1 in circular tanks of 250L for 70 days; the second was arranged in the same fish densities but in static waters performing six treatments with three repetitions. Performance and body compositions were estimated in white and red muscles for both groups. The results express the growth and muscle composition change in response to the exercise and fish density. The fish maintained in moderate swimming at 176 fish m-3 depicted the best performance (P<0.05), reflected as best growth, weight uniformity, conditioning factor, feed conversion and survival. Otherwise, the sustained swimming enhanced the white muscle protein concentration and the red muscle lipid deposition in the same group of fish. Yet, the results were opposite in high fish densities. Therefore, the rearing of matrinxã juveniles under moderate sustained swimming and near to 176 fish m-3 is suggested, since the best responses of growth and performance, and beneficial body changes were observed. These responses resulted in better body conditioning allowing higher tolerance to high fish densities.