(Weblink n.d.). Competing land demands could also influence land for algal biofuels
production.
Land-use changes could affect the net GHG emissions of biofuels and also carbon
sequestration and it is depending on the land conversion type and prior land-use
(NRC 2004). For algae cultivation, converting pastureland to algal ponds enhances
GHG emissions. On the other hand, algal cultivation in ponds on spoiled land that is
not storing much carbon and emits less GHG. Algae producing protein and lipid
potentially could replace soybean or other terrestrial crops (Wijffels and Barbosa
2010). Cultivating algal biofuels will require different work frame than regular crop
farming. Above discussion illustrates a potential land-use change by conversion of
cropland to algal ponds for biofuel production.
1.6.2 Water Quality
Algal biofuel production may recover or damage water quality depending on the
input resource and management. Large-scale production of algal biofuels required
sufficient water for culture and also concern regarding eutrophication of water,
groundwater contamination, and salinity of water which released to natural
environments. Algae can also be used to remove nutrients from municipal waste
and other liquid wastes if cultivated with proper management. It may provide
potential benefits to water quality as compared to runoff of herbicides and
insecticides compared to corn-grain ethanol or soybean-based biodiesel production.
Water requirement for algae cultivation can be reclaimed and reused to reduce and
effluent from production plant also could be recycled and use to produce of biogas
(Davis et al. 2011). Effluent containing nitrogen and phosphorous concentration
depending on the nutrients utilize by cultivated algal biomass (Sturm and Lamer
2011). Eutrophication occurs when a water body receives high concentrations of
inorganic nutrients which stimulates algal growth and results in huge algal biomass
production. High nutrient load could lead to anoxia in the deep portion of lakes or in
hypoxia in the receiving water bodies and lead to affect ecological community
(Scheffer et al. 1997; Reynolds et al. 2002).
1.6.3 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emission
One of the main motives to develop biofuel production strategies is to mitigate GHG.
In this regard life-cycle assessment (LCA) of GHG emissions of algal biofuel
production is critically reviewed. Sander and Murthy (2010) utilized algae biomass
for corn in ethanol plants. Replacing feedstock corn with oil-extracted algae for
ethanol results in a negative carbon balance. However, it is hard to conclude that
algae based on recycling CO 2 and producing biogas have net negative GHG
emissions. N 2 O could be emitted from cultivation systems and emissions would
need to be quantified in the future. Fagerstone et al. (2011) shows quantification of
N 2 O emissions from algal culture under laboratory conditions. In this study of
1 Algal Biofuel: A Sustainable Approach for Fuel of Future Generation
19
production.
Land-use changes could affect the net GHG emissions of biofuels and also carbon
sequestration and it is depending on the land conversion type and prior land-use
(NRC 2004). For algae cultivation, converting pastureland to algal ponds enhances
GHG emissions. On the other hand, algal cultivation in ponds on spoiled land that is
not storing much carbon and emits less GHG. Algae producing protein and lipid
potentially could replace soybean or other terrestrial crops (Wijffels and Barbosa
2010). Cultivating algal biofuels will require different work frame than regular crop
farming. Above discussion illustrates a potential land-use change by conversion of
cropland to algal ponds for biofuel production.
1.6.2 Water Quality
Algal biofuel production may recover or damage water quality depending on the
input resource and management. Large-scale production of algal biofuels required
sufficient water for culture and also concern regarding eutrophication of water,
groundwater contamination, and salinity of water which released to natural
environments. Algae can also be used to remove nutrients from municipal waste
and other liquid wastes if cultivated with proper management. It may provide
potential benefits to water quality as compared to runoff of herbicides and
insecticides compared to corn-grain ethanol or soybean-based biodiesel production.
Water requirement for algae cultivation can be reclaimed and reused to reduce and
effluent from production plant also could be recycled and use to produce of biogas
(Davis et al. 2011). Effluent containing nitrogen and phosphorous concentration
depending on the nutrients utilize by cultivated algal biomass (Sturm and Lamer
2011). Eutrophication occurs when a water body receives high concentrations of
inorganic nutrients which stimulates algal growth and results in huge algal biomass
production. High nutrient load could lead to anoxia in the deep portion of lakes or in
hypoxia in the receiving water bodies and lead to affect ecological community
(Scheffer et al. 1997; Reynolds et al. 2002).
1.6.3 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emission
One of the main motives to develop biofuel production strategies is to mitigate GHG.
In this regard life-cycle assessment (LCA) of GHG emissions of algal biofuel
production is critically reviewed. Sander and Murthy (2010) utilized algae biomass
for corn in ethanol plants. Replacing feedstock corn with oil-extracted algae for
ethanol results in a negative carbon balance. However, it is hard to conclude that
algae based on recycling CO 2 and producing biogas have net negative GHG
emissions. N 2 O could be emitted from cultivation systems and emissions would
need to be quantified in the future. Fagerstone et al. (2011) shows quantification of
N 2 O emissions from algal culture under laboratory conditions. In this study of
1 Algal Biofuel: A Sustainable Approach for Fuel of Future Generation
19