Carbon dioxide capturing potential of Anabaena sp and Spirogyra sp

Abstract

Global warming has been a great concern and scientists over the world are making concerted effort to minimize the emission of carbon dioxide (C02) as well as capturing of C02 and other greenhouse gases. 228 Algae can play a pivotal role to reduce effects of global warming by reducing atmospheric C02. This study was undertaken to culture algae in the laboratory for carbon dioxide capture. Algae samples (Anabaena sp and Spirogyra sp) were collected by filtration and were identified. Modified Bold Basal Media (MBBM) was used to culture Anabaena sp and Spirogyra sp. Four set ups were prepared for % carbon dioxide capturing potential – MBBM enriched with 1.0 g of chicken dropping (2 set-ups) and MBBM enriched with 1.0 g of urea (two set-ups) for both Anabaena sp and Spirogyra sp – The carbon dioxide (CO2) was produce by reacting 11.2 g of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with 25 ml of 2% Hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a sealed buckner flask and channeled into the algae culture in a bioreactor. The optimum growth and % carbon dioxide capturing potential of Anabaena sp and Spirogyra sp in MBBM enriched with chicken droppings are 0.83 nm, 85.19% and 0.66 nm, 78.26% respectively while the optimum growth and % carbon dioxide capturing potential of Anabaena sp and Spirogyra sp in MBBM enriched with urea are 0.79 nm, 81.82% and 0.54 nm, 78.57% respectively. The results obtained show that algae have a good carbon dioxide capture potential and the quantity captured correlates well with the algae growth. Incorporating algae cultures tanks into industrial exhaust could be used to mitigate greenhouse gases (CO2).