Title: Potential use of carbon dioxide by microalgae in Malaysia

Authors: Rosalam Sarbatly; Emma Suali

Addresses: Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. ' Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia.

Abstract: CO₂ emission, which is feared to bring more harm than benefit to the environment, can be prevented and reduced through the cultivation of microalgae. Microalga is the fastest growing organism (estimated 40 times faster than terrestrial grass) and requires a high CO₂ concentration to reproduce. Thus, this work evaluates the potential of microalgae to utilise CO₂. The tolerable concentration of CO₂ for high microalgae productivity as a biomass producer is also explored. High productivity of microalgae is the key to successful biofuel productions, that is, not only producing green energy but also preventing the release of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Because of this concern, microalgae potential as a double-benefit for green energy production is analysed and discussed considering a CO₂ emissions scenario in Malaysia.

Keywords: carbon dioxide; microalgae; biomass; global warming; biofuels; green energy; Malaysia; CO2; carbon emissions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2012.049373

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2012 Vol.12 No.2/3/4, pp.150 - 160

Received: 27 Dec 2010
Accepted: 06 Sep 2011
Published online: 28 Aug 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article