Carbon capture by macroalgae Sarcodia suae using aquaculture wastewater and solar energy for cooling in subtropical regions

Abstract

Rapid growth in the aquaculture industry and corresponding increases in nutrient and organic carbon levels in coastal regions can lead to eutrophication and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Macroalgae are the organisms primarily responsible for the capture of CO₂ and removal of nutrients from coastal waters. In the current study, we developed a novel wastewater treatment system in which the red macroalga, Sarcordia suae, is used to capture CO₂ under thermostatic conditions in subtropical regions. In 2020 (without temperature control), the carbon capture rate (CCR) of Sarcordia suae varied considerably with the season: winter/spring (2.1-3.9 g-C m^-2 d^-1) and summer (0.09 g-C m^-2 d^-1). In 2021, solar powered cooling reduced summer seawater temperatures from 31 to 33 °C to 23-25 °C with a corresponding increase in the mean CCR: winter/spring (2-7 g-C m^-2 d^-1) and summer (1.33 g-C m^-2 d^-1). The proposed aquaculture wastewater system proved highly efficient in removing nitrogen (20.7 mg-N g^-1 DW d^-1, DW = dry weight) and phosphorus (4.4 mg-P g^-1 DW d^-1). Furthermore, the high density of Sarcodia (1.10 ± 0.03 g cm^-3) would permit the harvesting and subsequent dumping of Sarcodia in deep off-shore waters. This study demonstrated a low-cost land-based seaweed cultivation system for capturing CO₂ and excess nutrients from aquaculture wastewater year-round under temperature controlled environments in subtropical regions.

Keywords: Carbon catch and sequestration (CCS); Carbon neutrality; Nutrient removal; Seaweed; Taiwan; Wastewater.