Carbon capture and utilization by algae with high concentration CO₂ or bicarbonate as carbon source

Algae plays a key role in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) as it can capture and use the atmospheric CO₂ for conversion of value-added products. Concentrated CO₂ is common in flue gas and provides opportunities for algae cultivation. The drawbacks are mass transfer limitation, poor CO₂ dissolution, and challenges to reach optimal levels for algal growth at given flue gas levels. Bicarbonate is flexible to be used as carbon source and owns the potential to enhance the efficiency of biological carbon fixation by algae. The requirements of algae strains are more stringent. To improve the industrial scale-up of CCU, system optimization is of great importance. More novel algal strains that can grow rapidly under harsh environment and provide valuable bio-products should be developed for large-scale production. Algae-driven CCU is promising for achieving carbon-neutrality.