Astri Rinanti

By Astri Rinanti

The global warming issue caused mainly by carbon dioxide (CO2) has triggered various efforts to reduce excess amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. A viable option is to utilize biomass production potential of microalgal consortium in aquatic ecosystem that constantly requires CO2 to perform photosynthesis. This study aims to provide scientific contributions to the development of environmental studies, particularly of using microalgal consortiums as carbon capture and storage (CCS) agent by engineering their culture conditions. A number of studies analyzing biological reduction of atmospheric CO2 by using CO2 absorption capability of terrestrial plants have been facing many difficulties. Compared to various terrestrial plants, microalgae are generally considered photosynthetically more efficient. Exploitation of microalgal capability has numerous advantages, including their faster regeneration time, ability to grow in less space than terrestrial plants, and because the cultivation of microalgae can be done on a small-scale or large-scale operation, under controlled conditions, and is independent to climatic changes. Taking into account long-term advantages, this study is a preliminary study which is expected to be able to provide information and feedback regarding integrated microalgal culture system that may lead to alternative solutions of eco-friendly and sustainable environmental management technology that are capable of mitigating environmental problems caused by CO2 (as greenhouse gas) emissions. Hence, the results of this research could be implemented by building urban microalgal ponds in efforts to develop sustainable cities in terms of CO2 emission reduction in urban areas.

Part of the book: Algae