The Algal Treasure Trove: Lots of future opportunities for Wales

Moving to a low carbon economy in the coming decades requires a shift from using fossil resources to provide power, fuel, chemicals and materials.

BBSRC, with the support of EPSRC, have committed £11 million to fund 6 unique collaborative Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (BBSRC NIBB) to support, encourage, and facilitate this essential work.

From seaweed to metals, these multidisciplinary networks will drive new ideas to harness the potential of biological resources for producing and processing materials, biopharmaceuticals, chemicals and energy.

To read more about this, follow this link

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Swansea University Researcher at the PhycoNet Annual Conference

Dr. Alla Silkina (Swansea University researcher) presented her work on dewatering algal cultures on a large scale at the 2018 PhycoNet annual conference in London.

New article for the ALG AD project and associates

Members of the ALG AD project (website) and associates collaborated to compile this exciting review on the combination of Anaerobic Digestion and Algae Cultivation to create a circular economy. The paper has been rencently published in Bioresource Technology.

To read this article click here

Using microalgae in the circular economy to valorise anaerobic digestate: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Managing organic waste streams is a major challenge for the agricultural industry. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic wastes is a preferred option in the waste management hierarchy, as this process can generate renewable energy, reduce emissions from waste storage, and produce fertiliser material. However, Nitrate Vulnerable Zone legislation and seasonal restrictions can limit the use of digestate on agricultural land. In this paper we demonstrate the potential of cultivating microalgae on digestate as a feedstock, either directly after dilution, or indirectly from effluent remaining after biofertiliser extraction. Resultant microalgal biomass can then be used to produce livestock feed, biofuel or for higher value bio-products. The approach could mitigate for possible regional excesses, and substitute conventional high-impact products with bio-resources, enhancing sustainability within a circular economy. Recycling nutrients from digestate with algal technology is at an early stage. We present and discuss challenges and opportunities associated with developing this new technology.

PhD Fellowship between UK-France-The Netherlands

MixITiN ESR6 Position: Life in planktonic greenhouses [According to the EC rules this ESR should not have resided in the UK for 12+ months in the last 3 years]

This is a great opportunity for a candidate interested in developing a suite of integrated skills to work in marine science. MixITiN ESR6 will work between Swansea University (UK) and Station Biologique de Roscoff (Universite Pierre et Marie Curie; France) to enhance our understanding of the ecophysiology of a specific group of mixotrophic plankton that maintain symbiotic microalgae growing within themselves. These organisms play an important role in ecology (including harmful algal blooms), and also as indicators eutrophication and of climate change.

Supervisory Team: Dr Aditee Mitra (UK; Primary Supervisor at host institution), Dr Fabrice Not (CNRS France), Dr Willem Stolte (Deltares, The Netherlands)

Closing date: 31/03/18

For further details and to apply to this position please visit: http://www.mixotroph.org/mixitin-current-vacancies/

New paper published on seaweeds

The Macobiocrude research team has recently published an open access paper on the Journal of Applied Phycology entitled: species variation in the effects of dewatering treatment on macroalgae.

The paper was co-authores by Dr Sara Barrento and  can be freely downloaded here

Launch of the new Swansea University-led ALG-AD Project

Algae are being used to develop new technology to clean up waste. Scientists at Swansea University are leading on a €5.5 Million eco-innovative project. The ALG-AD project could potentially result in a circular economy solution whereby excess waste nutrients produced from anaerobic digestion of food and farm waste are used to cultivate algal biomass for animal feed and other products of value.

For more information on this new exciting project follow this link

Building Industries at Sea: ‘Blue Growth’ and the New Maritime Economy

 

We are happy to announce the publication of this new book – free access – Dr Sara Barrento contributed with two chapters on Aquaculture and Tourism. This is the result of the European project – MARIBE. Please download it, read it, share it, cite it!

 

New publication in Biology 2018, 7(1), 12;

We are proud to announce that one of our third year project students from last year, Ellie Mayhead,  has had their project work published:

“Comparing Nutrient Removal from Membrane Filtered and Unfiltered Domestic Wastewater Using Chlorella vulgaris” Elyssia Mayhead, Alla Silkina, Carole A. Llewellyn and Claudio Fuentes Grünewald  

http://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/7/1/12/htm

Survey and database, please have a look!

Have you brought or are you looking to bring a bio-based, biorefinery or biotechnology innovation process towards commercialisation? Then don’t forget to take part in our survey à http://www.biopilots4u.eu/survey

Pilots4U is compiling a database on bioeconomy pilot-scale equipment hosted at open access facilities across the EU. Are you a pilot plant owner? Then fill in your asset information in our database à http://www.biopilots4u.eu/add-asset