Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 10, 2025

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
Techno-economics of algae production in the Arabian Peninsula
Kira Schipper1, Hareb Mohammed S J Al-Jabri2, Rene H Wijffels3
1Algal Technologies Program, Center for Sustainable Development, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar; Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The Arabian Peninsula's advantageous climate, availability of non-arable land, access to seawater and CO2-rich flue gas, make it an attractive location for microalgae biomass production. Despite these promising aspects, the region has seen very few studies into the commercial feasibility of algae-based value chains. This work aims to address this gap through a techno-economic feasibility study of algae biomass production costs, comparing different photobioreactor types, locations, and production scales. Flat panel and raceway pond cultivation systems were found to be the most economically attractive cultivation systems, with biomass production costs as low as 2.9 €·kg-1. Potential cost reductions of up to 42.5% and 25% could be accomplished with improvements in photosynthetic efficiencies and increased culture temperatures, respectively. As of such, efforts to source local thermo- and photo- tolerant strains could be the key to unlock the potential of the region for algae commercialization, linking into food, feed and nutraceutical industries.
More Related Videos
10:08Construction and Setup of a Bench-scale Algal Photosynthetic Bioreactor with Temperature, Light, and pH Monitoring for Kinetic Growth Tests
Published on: June 14, 2017
08:17Coupling Carbon Capture from a Power Plant with Semi-automated Open Raceway Ponds for Microalgae Cultivation
Published on: August 14, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Green Algae
Overview of Algae
Other Algae
Red Algae