COMPARISON OF CARBON FIXATION ABILITIES OF SELECTED MARINE MICROALGAE SPECIES

Abstract

Carbon fixation utilizing photosynthetic microalgae has been identified as an alternative means under various Carbon Capture Technologies. The appeal of using microalgae, apart from employing its natural process of photosynthesis, is it promotes towards an industrial symbiosis, where one’s wastes becomes one’s valuable input. This work makes a preliminary effort in assessing the abilities of some selected marine microalgae in fixing carbon. Two marine species; Tetraselmis sp. and Nannochloropsis Oculata were cultured using f/2 medium in multiple sizes of Erlenmeyer flasks, up to 2 liters, and up to 14 days. Carbonation was done by using both from air and pure CO2. Temperature of culture was left to the room’s average temperature of 26oC. The skid’s illumination was maintained at an average of 600 lux using fluorescent bulbs. pH, temperature, salinity and dissolved O2 were recorded two times a day using EUTECH’s PCD 650 multiparameter probe. Carbon fixation abilities among the species calculation was done empirically by comparing their gained dry weights between first and last days, taking into account the approximate biomass molecular weight in photosynthesis reaction. Results indicate Tetraselmis sp. is a better species to fix CO2, in the range of 0.03 – 0.04 g/day, by the rate and percentage of CO2 fixed and by its doubling time. Results shall be useful as an early consideration in utilizing local marine species in minimizing carbon dioxide from industries.