Mapping the performance of photobioreactors for microalgae cultivation: geographic position and local climate
Abstract
Abstract BACKGROUND Over 90% of microalgae cultivations on a commercial scale are grown in outdoor systems, which means that the performance of these bioprocesses is dependent on the climatic conditions in each particular locality. Thus, the selection of suitable locations according to their climatic conditions is extremely important to develop technically and economically viable processes. This study aimed to assess the influence of geographic position and local climate on the microalgae culture performance in photobioreactors, as a strategy to map potential regions for commercial‐scale microalgae production. Six extreme positions of Brazil were chosen to represent their respective climates in the four seasons of the year. RESULTS The climatic variables considered were temperature, light irradiance, and photoperiod. In terms of both biomass and lipid production in an annual overview, the results showed that tropical climates and low latitudes favor the microalgae culture. The highest annual average biomass productivity (0.278 g L−1 d−1) and annual average lipid productivity (0.056 g L−1 d−1) were recorded in Boa Vista‐RR (02° 49′ 12″ N), in summer. CONCLUSION The geographic position and the local climate are decisive criteria in the performance of these processes, being able to increase up to three and four times the biomass productivity and lipid productivity, respectively. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The selection of favorable geographic locations and climatic conditions can triple and quadruple the productivity of biomass and lipids in photobioreactors, respectively, while reducing the energy intensity of the process.
“Furthermore, the selection of favorable geographic locations and climatic conditions can triple and quadruple the productivity of biomass and lipids in photobioreactors, respectively, while reducing the energy intensity of the process (Siqueira et al., 2020).”
From Microalgae biotechnology and its role in sustainable and healthy food design (2025) · cites this paper as Siqueira et al., 2020
Cites
A RAPID METHOD OF TOTAL LIPID EXTRACTION AND PURIFICATION
Bligh, E. G., & Dyer, W. J. (1959) · Canadian Journal of Biochemistry and Physiology · doi:10.1139/o59-099 · Cited by 54,751 · see citing works
A RAPID METHOD OF TOTAL LIPID EXTRACTION AND PURIFICATION
Bligh, E. G., & Dyer, W. J. (1959) · Canadian Journal of Biochemistry and Physiology · doi:10.1139/y59-099 · Cited by 23,189 · see citing works
Köppen's climate classification map for Brazil
Álvares, C. A., Stape, J. L., Sentelhas, P. C., Gonçalves, J. L. D. M., & Sparovek, G. (2013) · Meteorologische Zeitschrift · doi:10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507 · Cited by 12,248 · see citing works
World map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated
Kottek, M., Grieser, J., Beck, C., Rudolf, B., & Rubel, F. (2006) · Meteorologische Zeitschrift · doi:10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130 · Cited by 11,456 · see citing works
Generic Assignments, Strain Histories and Properties of Pure Cultures of Cyanobacteria
Rippka, R., Stanier, R. Y., Deruelles, J., Herdman, M., & Waterbury, J. B. (1979) · Microbiology · doi:10.1099/00221287-111-1-1 · Cited by 7,606 · see citing works
An outlook on microalgal biofuels
Wijffels, R. H., & Barbosa, M. J. (2010) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1189003 · Cited by 1,886 · see citing works
Towards industrial products from microalgae
Ruiz, J., Olivieri, G., de Vree, J. H., Bosma, R., Willems, P., Reith, J. H., Eppink, M. H. M., Kleinegris, D. M. M., Wijffels, R. H., & Barbosa, M. J. (2016) · Energy & Environmental Science · doi:10.1039/c6ee01493c · Cited by 661 · see citing works
Advances in photosynthesis and respiration
Sharkey, T. D. (2012) · Photosynthesis Research · doi:10.1007/s11120-012-9722-0 · Cited by 609 · see citing works
Temperature effect on microalgae: A crucial factor for outdoor production
Ras, M., Steyer, J.-P., & Bernard, O. (2013) · Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology · doi:10.1007/s11157-013-9310-6 · Cited by 532 · see citing works
Xin, L., Hu, H., & Zhang, Y. (2010) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2010.10.055 · Cited by 396 · see citing works
Khoeyi, Z. A., Seyfabadi, J., & Ramezanpour, Z. (2011) · Aquaculture International · doi:10.1007/s10499-011-9440-1 · Cited by 345 · see citing works
Current Bottlenecks and Challenges of the Microalgal Biorefinery
Gifuni, I., Pollio, A., Safi, C., Marzocchella, A., & Olivieri, G. (2019) · Trends in Biotechnology · doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.09.006 · Cited by 281 · see citing works
Cultivation of microalgae on artificial light comes at a cost
Blanken, W., Cuaresma, M., Wijffels, R. H., & Janssen, M. (2013) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2013.09.004 · Cited by 270 · see citing works
Is exploitation of microalgae economically and energetically sustainable?
Barsanti, L. A., & Gualtieri, P. (2018) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2018.02.001 · Cited by 270 · see citing works
Bioactive food compounds from microalgae: an innovative framework on industrial biorefineries
Lopes, E. J., Maroneze, M. M., Deprá, M. C., Sartori, R. B., Dias, R. R., & Zepka, L. Q. (2018) · Current Opinion in Food Science · doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2018.12.003 · Cited by 255 · see citing works
Self-citationLight management technologies for increasing algal photobioreactor efficiency
Nwoba, E. G., Parlevliet, D. A., Laird, D. W., Alameh, K., & Moheimani, N. R. (2019) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2019.101433 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Hempel, N., Petrick, I., & Behrendt, F. (2012) · Journal of Applied Phycology · doi:10.1007/s10811-012-9795-3 · Cited by 243 · see citing works
Huesemann, M. H., Crowe, B., Waller, P. M., Chavis, A., Hobbs, S. J., Edmundson, S. J., & Wigmosta, M. S. (2015) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2015.11.008 · Cited by 198 · see citing works
Marine microalgae for production of biofuels and chemicals
Maeda, Y., Yoshino, T., Matsunaga, T., Matsumoto, M., & Tanaka, T. (2018) · Current Opinion in Biotechnology · doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2017.11.018 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
van Eerden, F. J., de Jong, D. H., de Vries, A. H., Wassenaar, T. A., & Marrink, . J. (2015) · Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes · doi:10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.02.025 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Catabolism and bioactive properties of chlorophylls
Zepka, L. Q., Lopes, E. J., & Roca, M. (2019) · Current Opinion in Food Science · doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2019.04.004 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Self-citationMicroalgae biorefineries: The Brazilian scenario in perspective
Brasil, B. S. A. F., Silva, F. C. P., & de Siqueira, F. G. (2016) · New Biotechnology · doi:10.1016/j.nbt.2016.04.007 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Breuer, G., de Jaeger, L., Artus, V. P. G., Martens, D. E., Springer, J., Draaisma, R. B., Eggink, G., Wijffels, R. H., & Lamers, P. P. (2014) · Biotechnology for Biofuels · doi:10.1186/1754-6834-7-70 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Desaturation of fatty acids as an adaptive response to shifts in light intensity 1
Klyachko-Gurvich, G. L., Tsoglin, L. N., Doucha, J., Kopetskii, J., Shebalina, I. B., & Semenenko, V. E. (1999) · Physiologia Plantarum · doi:10.1034/j.1399-3054.1999.100212.x · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Abomohra, A., Jin, W., & El-Sheekh, M. M. (2015) · Energy Conversion and Management · doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2015.11.007 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Cyanobacteria in Diverse Habitats
Gaysina, L. A., Saraf, A., & Singh, P. K. (2018) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-814667-5.00001-5 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
de Jesus, C. S., da Silva Uebel, L., Costa, S. S., Miranda, A. L., de Morais, E. G., de Morais, M. G., Costa, J. A. V., Nunes, I. L., de Souza Ferreira, E., & Druzian, J. I. (2018) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2018.01.149 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
The role of photoperiods on photobioreactors – A potential strategy to reduce costs
Maroneze, M. M., Siqueira, S. F., Vendruscolo, R. G., Wagner, R., de Menezes, C. R., Zepka, L. Q., & Jacob-Lopes, E. (2016) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2016.08.003 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Self-citationLiu, T., Li, Y., Liu, F., & Wang, C. (2016) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2015.12.021 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Schade, S., & Meier, T. (2019) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2019.101485 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Evaluation of photosynthetic light integration by microalgae in a pilot-scale raceway reactor
Barceló-Villalobos, M., Olmo, P. F.-D., Guzmán, J. L., Fernández-Sevilla, J. M., & Acién, F. G. (2019) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2019.02.032 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
The International Sheep and Wool Handbook
Cannas, A. (2011) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · doi:10.4081/ijas.2011.br2 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Queiroz, M. I., Hornes, M. O., Manetti, A. G. D. S., & Lopes, E. J. (2011) · Applied Energy · doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.12.047 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Feasibility of closing nutrient cycles from black water by microalgae-based technology
da Silva, G. H. R., Sueitt, A. P. E., Haimes, S., Tripidaki, A., van Zwieten, R., & Fernandes, T. V. (2019) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2019.101715 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Vendruscolo, R. G., Facchi, M. M. X., Maroneze, M. M., Fagundes, M. B., Cichoski, A. J., Zepka, L. Q., Barin, J. S., Lopes, E. J., & Wagner, R. C. (2018) · Food Research International · doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2018.04.017 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Self-citationHoldmann, C., Schmid‐Staiger, U., & Hirth, T. (2019) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2018.101405 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Microalgae biomass intake positively modulates serum lipid profile and antioxidant status
do Nascimento, T. C., Cazarin, C. B. B., Maróstica, M. R., Risso, É. M., Amaya‐Farfán, J., Grimaldi, R., Mercadante, A. Z., Lopes, E. J., & Zepka, L. Q. (2019) · Journal of Functional Foods · doi:10.1016/j.jff.2019.04.047 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Self-citationMultivariate modeling for microalgae growth in outdoor photobioreactors
Mazzelli, A., Cicci, A., Caprio, F. D., Altimari, P., Toro, L., Iaquaniello, G., & Pagnanelli, F. (2019) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2019.101663 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Microalgal Production Systems with Highlights of Bioenergy Production
Maroneze, M. M., & Queiroz, M. I. (2018) · Green energy and technology · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-69093-3_2 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Self-citationNitrogen-dependent metabolic regulation of lipid production in microalga Scenedesmus vacuolatus
Gupta, N., Khare, P., & Singh, D. P. (2019) · Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety · doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.03.035 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Microalgae: potential agents for CO2 mitigation and bioremediation of wastewaters
Shashirekha, V., & Sudhakar, M. P. (2019) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-818258-1.00008-x · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Enhanced single-cell oil production by cold shock in cyanobacterial cultures
Queiroz, M. I., Maroneze, M. M., Manetti, A. G. D. S., Vieira, J. G., Zepka, L. Q., & Lopes, E. J. (2018) · Ciência Rural · doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20180366 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Self-citationBrusca, S., Famoso, F., Lanzafame, R., Messina, M., & Wilson, J. H. (2017) · IUScholarWorks (Indiana University) · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Revisiting competitiveness of hydrogen and algae biodiesel
Maroušek, J., Strunecký, O., Bartoš, V., & Vochоzka, M. (2022) · Fuel · doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125317 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Competitive algae biodiesel depends on advances in mass algae cultivation
Maroušek, J., Maroušková, A., Gavurová, B., Tuček, D., & Strunecký, O. (2023) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128802 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Environmental impacts on commercial microalgae-based products: Sustainability metrics and indicators
Deprá, M. C., Severo, I. A., dos Santos, A. M., Zepka, L. Q., & Lopes, E. J. (2020) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2020.102056 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Self-citationDeo, R. C., Grant, R. H., Webb, A. R., Ghimire, S., Igoe, D. P., Downs, N. J., AL‐Musaylh, M. S., Parisi, A. V., & Soar, J. (2022) · Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment · doi:10.1007/s00477-022-02188-0 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Microalgal cultivation in open and closed systems under a tropical climate: a life cycle comparison
Prado, L. D. O., Bolzani, H. R., Souza, H. H. D. S., Ruas, G., & da Silva, G. H. R. (2023) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138631 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Sartori, R. B., Siqueira, S., Maroneze, M. M., Fagundes, M. B., Wagner, R. C., Zepka, L. Q., & Lopes, E. J. (2021) · Journal of Applied Phycology · doi:10.1007/s10811-021-02391-6 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Self-citationDias, R. R., Deprá, M. C., Severo, I. A., Zepka, L. Q., & Lopes, E. J. (2022) · Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments · doi:10.1016/j.seta.2022.102073 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Self-citationAlgal biorefinery: a potential solution to the food–energy–water–environment nexus
Talebi, S., Edalatpour, A., & Tavakoli, O. (2022) · Sustainable Energy & Fuels · doi:10.1039/d1se01740c · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Arena, R., Lima, S., Villanova, V., Moukri, N., Curcuraci, E., Messina, C. M., Santulli, A., & Scargiali, F. (2021) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2021.102430 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Dias, R. R., Lasta, P., Vendruscolo, R. G., Wagner, R. C., Zepka, L. Q., & Lopes, E. J. (2020) · Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology · doi:10.1002/jctb.6574 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Self-citationMicroalgae biotechnology and its role in sustainable and healthy food design
Schneider, A. T., Machado, R. L. S., Dutra, D. A., Machado, E. F., Dias, R. R., Deprá, M. C., Zepka, L. Q., & Jacob-Lopes, E. (2025) · Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology · doi:10.3389/fbioe.2025.1716473 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-citationSartori, R. B., Vendruscolo, R. G., Ribeiro, S. R., Furlan, V. J. M., Wagner, R. C., Zepka, L. Q., & Lopes, E. J. (2022) · Life · doi:10.3390/life12030462 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citationDias, R. R., Deprá, M. C., Zepka, L. Q., & Lopes, E. J. (2022) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2022.102661 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citationSarkar, S., Mankad, J., Padhihar, N., Manna, M. S., Bhowmick, T. K., & Gayen, K. (2022) · Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology · doi:10.1080/10826068.2022.2033995 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Bioactive Polysaccharides from Microalgae: A Close Look at the Biomedical Applications
Deprá, M. C., Dias, R. R., Maroneze, M. M., do Nascimento, T. C., Severo, I. A., Zepka, L. Q., & Lopes, E. J. (2022) · Recent Patents on Biotechnology · doi:10.2174/1872208316666220820092643 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Self-citationSarkar, S., Bhowmick, T. K., & Gayen, K. (2023) · Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology · doi:10.1080/10826068.2023.2241898 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Coronel, C. D., & Curatti, L. (2021) · Biotechnology Journal · doi:10.1002/biot.202100067 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Low-carbon microalgae manufacturing is possible: here's how and where
Dias, R. R., Deprá, M. C., Zepka, L. Q., & Jacob-Lopes, E. (2025) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2024.103886 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-citationDias, R. R., da Silva, P. A., Deprá, M. C., Deprá, B., Wagner, R. C., Zepka, L. Q., & Lopes, E. J. (2023) · Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology · doi:10.1002/jctb.7369 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-citationDeo, R. C., Grant, R. H., Webb, A. R., Ghimire, S., Igoe, D. P., Downs, N. J., AL‐Musaylh, M. S., Parisi, A. V., & Soar, J. (2021) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1069113/v1 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Cardozo, G. S., Ruas, G., Fiore, F. A., & da Silva, G. H. R. (2025) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41848 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Synthesis and function of biogenic volatile organic compounds
Brilli, F., Gallo, F., & Balestreri, C. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-821076-5.00006-9 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Montenegro-Herrera, C. A., Maroneze, M. M., Rodríguez-Alegría, M. E., & Martı́nez, A. (2025) · Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology · doi:10.1002/jctb.70081 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationExposure to different light and temperature regimes reveals high plasticity in Galdieria cultures
Maroneze, M. M., Saucedo-Reyes, M., Bahena-Contreras, A., Machuca-Osorio, R., & Martinez, A. (2026) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2026.104580 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationMicroalgae technology for meeting sustainable development goals and circular bioeconomy
Deprá, M. C., Dias, R. R., & Jacob-Lopes, E. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-34082-6.00043-x · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationPilot-Scale Outdoor Microalgae Production: A Case Study
Dias, R. R., Costa, L. R. D. O., Deprá, M. C., Zepka, L. Q., & Lopes, E. J. (2025) · Grand challenges in biology and biotechnology · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-84282-5_17
Self-citationSilva, G., James, A. O., Bankole, A. O., Pompei, C. M. E., & Ruas, G. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5682256
Drabold, E. T., Mann, F., Wang, Q., Shanmugam, S. R., & Higgins, B. T. (2026) · ACS Sustainable Resource Management · doi:10.1021/acssusresmgt.6c00142
- Authors
- Siqueira, S. F., Maroneze, M. M., Dias, R. R., Vendruscolo, R. G., Wagner, R., de Menezes, C. R., Zepka, L. Q., & Jacob‐Lopes, E.
- Affiliations
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (BR)
- Bioprocess Intensification Group Federal University of Santa Maria Santa Maria Brazil
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2020-04-14
- Volume
- 95
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 2411-2420
- ISSN
- 0142-0356 (ISSN-L)
- 0268-2575
- 1097-4660
- OpenAlex
- W3014498036
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3
- FWCI
- 0.94
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Keywords
- photobioreactors, microalgae cultivation, geographic location, local climate, biomass productivity, lipid productivity, tropical climate, low latitudes, light irradiance, photoperiod, temperature, Brazil
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
