Microalgae production as a biofuel feedstock: Risks and challenges
Abstract
From a sustainability perspective, the potential risks associated with microalgae production for biofuel extraction will be investigated in this paper, including the environmental, economic, social and cultural dimensions. Environmentally, four main concerns are mapped out: first, there are potential water safety risks, such as water resource abuse, water pollution and groundwater recharge deficiency; second, unreasonable construction will lead to land-use overexpansion, land pollution and service expectancy reduction; third, microalgae production may exert a detrimental effect on the local ecosystem, causing algal blooms and biological invasion; finally, microalgae might emit unexpected greenhouse gases [nitrogen oxides (NO x ), methane (CH4)] and ammonia (NH3). From an economic risk standpoint, microalgae production requires an overwhelming investment due to the expensive start-up and operation. Socially, contaminant discharge will threaten the health of local animals and people. Moreover, the safety effects of genetically modified algae may not be immediately apparent or known. In addition, over time, microalgae may become a medium for mosquitoes to spread disease. From a cultural point of view, it requires time for people in developing countries to adapt algal oil to their daily life as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Furthermore, personnel changes in the workforce may harm existing cultural structures, and landscape aesthetics may be affected by system construction. Taking the above challenges into consideration, efficient government policies, proactive company behaviours and positive public participation will play an important role in minimising or even eliminating these potential risks.
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Exotic algae species discharged into waterway can cause biological invasion and endanger native species safety.
“Exotic algae species discharged into the waterway can cause biological invasion and endanger the native species safety [87].”
From The Perspective of Large-Scale Production of Algae Biodiesel (2020) · cites this paper as [87]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Zhu, L., & Ketola, T.
- Affiliations
- University of Vaasa (FI)
- University of Turku (FI)
- Corresponding author
- Zhu, Liandong
- ORCID
- Zhu, Liandong
- Venue
- International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2011-11-28
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 268-274
- ISSN
- 1350-4509 (ISSN-L)
- 1745-2627
- OpenAlex
- W2053960599
- Cited by
- 59
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.13
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Fortums Stiftelse
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Bioenergy crop production and management
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development
- Keywords
- microalgae cultivation, biofuel feedstock, sustainability risk, water pollution, algal blooms, biological invasions, greenhouse gas emissions, genetically modified algae, mosquito-borne diseases, public acceptance, public policy, citizen participation, landscape aesthetics
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