Environmental Impacts of Large-Scale Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) Production in Hellisheidi Geothermal Park Iceland: Life Cycle Assessment. ...

• Main Authors: Tzachor, Asaf, Smidt-Jensen, Asger, Ramel, Alfons, Geirsdóttir, Margrét
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2022
• Subjects: Alternative protein; Carbon neutrality; Environmental impact; Life cycle assessment; Photobioreactors; Spirulina; Amino Acids, Essential; Ammonia; Animals; Biomass; Carbon; Carbon Dioxide; Cattle; Environment; Fertilizers; Iceland; Life Cycle Stages; Vitamins; Water
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17863/cam.89527; https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/342109

Spirulina algae (Spirulina platensis) cultivated in geothermally powered photobioreactors is here proposed as a potentially resource efficient, zero-carbon, and nutritious alternative to conventional beef meat. Employing a standard life cycle assessment, environmental impacts of large-scale Spirulina production in this facility are calculated. The production facility is sited in Orka náttúrunnar (ON Power) Geothermal Park, Iceland, and benefits from resource streams accessible through Hellisheiði (Hellisheidi) power station, including renewable electricity for illumination and power usage, hot and cold water streams for thermal management, freshwater for cultivation, and CO2 for biofixation. During cultivation, GHG-intensive ammonia-based fertilizers are replaced with macronutrients sourced from natural open mines. LCA results show that production of 1 kg of wet edible biomass in this facility requires 0.0378 m2 non-arable land, 8.36 m3 fresh water and is carbon neutral with - 0.008 CO2-eq GHG emissions (net ...