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Abstract

Aspects of sustainability issues that are addressed on industrial processes involving microalgae and cyanobacteria remain large. This is often conducted through the use of various systems analysis tools such as Energy Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment. Although microalgae and cyanobacteria production is often perceived as a potential candidate to solve many of the world's environmental issues, processes and supporting systems for the harvest of microalgae require a series of direct and indirect inputs of materials and energy. Moreover, the production of microalgae itself can also lead to emissions if not handled correctly. The potential requirements for direct and indirect materials, energy, and emissions of various substances raise concerns with regard to sustainability issues and increasing burdens to the natural environment. In this chapter, potential sustainability issues that may be raised as a result of harvesting and use of microalgae are discussed. Harvest of microalgae will not be limited to the cultivated systems for microalgae and cyanobacteria but also include the harvest of wild microalgae and cyanobacteria in blooming events which is very rarely discussed in the literature. Moreover, the use of microalgae and cyanobacteria as solutions within sustainability contexts is also covered, especially within the purview of industrial symbiosis.

Keywords

biofuel; Biomass; bioprocess; biotechnology; energy resource; environmental bioengineering; environmental science; natural resources; pharmaceutical manufacturing; sustainability engineering; waste and ecosystem ecology; water management

Published in

Title: Sustainable Industrial Processes Based on Microalgae
Publisher: Elsevier

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Other Environmental Biotechnology

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-19213-5.00014-5
  • ISBN: 9780443192142
  • eISBN: 9780443192135

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142823