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Atmospheric Carbon Sequestration Through Microalgae: Status, Prospects, and Challenges

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Abstract

Microalgae are considered to be suitable candidates for atmospheric carbon sequestration by virtue of attributes such as faster growth, ability to grow in low-quality water, and tolerance towards a wider range of temperature, salinity and nutrient-deficient environment. Further, the downstream processing of microalgal biomass yields a variety of value-added products including biodiesel which is considered to be a lucrative alternative to fossil-based fuels. In this review, the potentialities of microalgae for atmospheric carbon sequestration are discussed with reference to present status of microalgae biomass production systems, strategies for enhancing the growth of natural populations of microalgae in marine environment, status of knowledge about downstream processing of biomass for biodiesel production and its implications on global warming mitigation. In concluding part, the prospects and challenges pertaining to microalgal biomass production and its utilization are highlighted. Based on an overview of the state of knowledge, few recommendations are submitted for the consideration of the scientific community.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aquatic Environment and Health Management Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400061, India

    S. P. Shukla, S. Gita, V. S. Bharti, G. R. Bhuvaneswari & W. A. A. D. L. Wikramasinghe

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  1. S. P. Shukla
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  2. S. Gita
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  3. V. S. Bharti
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  4. G. R. Bhuvaneswari
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  5. W. A. A. D. L. Wikramasinghe
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Correspondence to S. P. Shukla .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Microbiology, Babashaeb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Jay Shankar Singh

  2. Microbial Biotechnology Unit, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka

    Gamini Seneviratne

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Shukla, S.P., Gita, S., Bharti, V.S., Bhuvaneswari, G.R., Wikramasinghe, W.A.A.D.L. (2017). Atmospheric Carbon Sequestration Through Microalgae: Status, Prospects, and Challenges. In: Singh, J., Seneviratne, G. (eds) Agro-Environmental Sustainability. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49724-2_10

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