Algal refossilization of atmospheric carbon dioxide. [Contains bibliography]
- Neushul Mariculture, Inc., Goleta, CA (United States)
The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) is steadily increasing. With our increasing awareness of the economic and environmental impacts of the greenhouse effects'' of CO{sub 2}, methane and other gases, there is interest in finding new methods to reduce the amounts of these gases in the atmosphere. This study evaluates the possibility that large-scale oceanic cultures of macroalgae (macroscopic seaweeds'') could be used to capture atmospheric CO{sub 2}. It is a design for a marine farm system in which a crop'' of calcareous macroalgae grows attached to, and supported by, floating macroalgae that comprise the farm structure.'' The least complicated, yet feasible, macroalgal farm system appears to be one in which laboratory-propagated calcareous algal epiphytes'' and floating algal basiphytes'' are dispersed together in natural ocean upwelling regions. From there, the plants drift with surface currents to the open ocean and then sink to the sea floor, where the buried carbon is refossilized.'' An important caveat regarding the use of calcareous algae is that the process of calcification may release CO{sub 2} to the atmosphere. There is some evidence that CO{sub 2} is not released by calcification in red calcareous algae, but in contrast many geochemists feel that all biologically -- as well as chemically --mediated calcification processes release CO{sub 2}. A substantial amount of research will be necessary to answer basic questions about algal carbon fixation and biomineralization on one hand, while on the other hand to devise strategies for farming the open ocean. 76 refs., 14 figs., 7 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Neushul Mariculture, Inc., Goleta, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- EPRI; Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5559709
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-EAR-7401
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
09 BIOMASS FUELS
58 GEOSCIENCES
ALGAE
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CARBON DIOXIDE
GLOBAL ASPECTS
MINERALIZATION
CARBON SINKS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
MITIGATION
BIOMASS
CARBON CYCLE
CARBON DIOXIDE FIXATION
CORALS
ECOSYSTEMS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
STORAGE
WATER QUALITY
ANIMALS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CNIDARIA
COELENTERATA
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
INVERTEBRATES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SINKS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540310 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (1990-)
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
090800 - Biomass Fuels- Production- (1990-)
580000 - Geosciences