In Burdur, a photobioreactor called "aLgaç," capable of capturing as much carbon dioxide in one day as 5-6 trees and powered by solar energy, was developed by scientists from MAKÜ. The algae within aLgaç, which initially captures carbon dioxide and converts it into biomass, can later be used as a feed additive.
aLgaç was developed within the scope of the project "Innovative Food and Feed Additive as a Green Resource: Microalgae (YeYeM)" under the Regional Development Focused Mission Differentiation and Specialization Program by Associate Professor Dr. Füsun Akgül, a faculty member of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ), together with undergraduate students.
Captures as Much Carbon Monoxide as 5-6 Trees in One Day
aLgaç is an ecological application aimed at reducing the carbon dioxide ratio in the atmosphere and increasing the oxygen ratio by using carbon dioxide, the most important of the greenhouse gases, whose emission is increasing day by day. The panel-type microalgae photobioreactor, named aLgaç by deriving from the words algae and tree, has the capacity to capture and convert into biomass as much carbon dioxide in one day as 5-6 trees aged 25 years. aLgaç, which meets its electricity needs with a solar energy system, is a self-sufficient closed system designed to operate with minimum consumption.
A First in Turkey
aLgaç is designed to be used in situations where air pollution is intense, and there is no area or time for afforestation. It can be used as an alternative carbon capture source in large cities where vehicle and population density, and therefore carbon dioxide emissions, are high. Although there are a few examples of aLgaç in the world, it is the first and only one in our country. Its designs made with small volumes can be used to increase oxygen concentration in crowded indoor spaces such as hospitals and schools.
Project manager Associate Professor Dr. Füsun Akgül said the following about her project:
“We know that three-quarters of the world is water, and in these wetlands, photosynthetic organisms responsible for primary production, which we call microalgae and macroalgae, live. Algae are the organisms with the highest biomass in nature, and studies show that 70% of the oxygen in the atmosphere is produced by algae.
On the other hand, the ratio of carbon dioxide, the most important of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, is increasing day by day, causing global warming. This situation leads to climate disasters and changing weather events. Research and predictions foresee that our country's total CO2 emissions will increase by 66% by 2050 compared to 2018 levels, reaching approximately 700 million tons. The European Union aims to zero carbon emissions and become climate-neutral by 2050 within the scope of the Green Deal agreement, which Turkey also signed in 2019. We believe that our country should not remain distant from these concepts of green economy and green transformation and should work in this area.
With this thought, we designed our aLgaç, derived from the words algae and tree. We designed a panel-type photobioreactor with a microalgae species that has a high carbon dioxide capture rate and high biomass productivity. We considered it an innovative solution that can be used in metropolises where carbon dioxide emissions are high, and there is not enough time and space for tree planting.
According to the biomass productivity calculations we made, it has the potential to capture as much carbon dioxide in one day as 5-6 trees aged 25 years. It is an ecological and economical design with no energy consumption. Additionally, the microalgae biomass we obtain as a result of the culture is a high-value product with the potential to be used as a feed additive or biofertilizer.
Moreover, our project serves the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to be achieved by the end of 2030 by the United Nations, of which our country is a founding member; 3. Good Health and Well-being, 7. Affordable and Clean Energy, 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13. Climate Action, 15. Life on Land.
In this respect, we aimed to create awareness for both our students and our public and administrators by conducting a new study in our country in the field of "microalgae biotechnology," whose importance is increasing worldwide, and by involving our students in the process.”
Aleyna Gülşen, Ayşe Nur Uğur, Batuhan Gürakan, and Özge Korkmaz, 4th-year students from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics involved in the project, also expressed their happiness to be part of such an important project and their desire to work at a more advanced level in this field.