Freshwater and marine microalgae sequestering of CO2 at different C and N concentrations - Response surface methodology analysis

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to analyze biomass production of ten freshwater and marine microalgae cultivated on eleven different media, under varying concentrations of both CO2 and N-source to foster development of microalgae sequestering of CO2 (MSCO2). Experimental and literature data on biomass production were used. Modeling results indicate that microalgae sequestering of CO2 is feasible over wide range of CO2 and N concentrations and under both high and low ionic strength. Microalgae sequestering of CO2 could become a profitable industry that would help mitigate global warming (GLW) and probably, enable environmentally neutral utilization of fossil fuels until their full replacement by alternative energy sources. (author)