Scoping the potencial for outdoor microalgae production in the Azores

• Main Authors: Xavier, Emanuel D., Neto, Ana I., Reis, Alberto, Azevedo, José M. N.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade dos Açores 2016
• Subjects: Microalgae; Outdoor Commercial Production; SWOT Analysis; Azores Archipelago; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/3985

Microalgae cultivation has received much attention due to some desirable characteristics such as fast growth rates, high photosynthetic efficiencies and the production of valuable biochemicals. Mass cultivation of microalgae for commercial purposes is already a reality in some locations being an activity with approximately 45 years. The Azores archipelago, located in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal, features a temperate climate. To evaluate the feasibility of local outdoor microalgae production, certain fundamental factors must be analysed. In this study water, light, temperature, carbon sources, nutrients, international outlook and regional context were analyzed from the perspective of a local outdoor commercial microalgae production. A SWOT analysis was applied to the analysed factors to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The results nominate the Azores as a promising location to implement an outdoor production of valueadded products from microalgae. Oma – Observatório do Mar dos Açores MARE – Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente IMAR – Instituto do Mar DOP – Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas Universidade dos Açores info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion