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To: Dr. Holly Osborn

From: Sarah Caldbeck
Re: Research Report Proposal – Carbon Sequestration Using Algae
Date: November 17, 2019
Purpose
The purpose of my research report is to investigate the use of algae as a sustainable
carbon capture technology, and to determine the advantages and disadvantages of this
technology through my research.
Audience
The intended stakeholders for my topic include any researchers, engineers, and
individuals interested in alternative fuel sources and environmental sustainability. Although this
report will introduce advanced scientific research, any concerned citizen should be included in
the target audience. Reducing one’s carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions is something
we should all care about because it affects the quality of life on Earth for all species.
Report Genre
I will be completing an informational report for this assignment. My research will consist
primarily of secondary resources from scholarly and peer-reviewed journals in order to establish
credibility in my writing and to become an authority on the topic. I may look into interviewing a
UK professor who focuses on algae research at the Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER)
if I feel that my report is lacking in applicable primary evidence.
Introduction and Background Information
With global warming and climate change being one of the most urgent issues our planet
faces, it is important that researchers continue to find new solutions to this growing
environmental concern. According to a recent study, global warming “has mainly been attributed
to high concentrations of gases where carbon dioxide (CO2) is the largest contributor, being
responsible for up to 60 percent of the total greenhouse gases” (Molazadeh et al. 1). Scientists
are turning to the versatility of algae as one of the most beneficial organisms in mitigating
climate change.
One advantage of using algae for carbon capture is the algal biomass conversion into
useful products such as biofuels. The carbon dioxide that is released when algae biofuel is
burned can then be recycled back into the system to be used to grow new algae. Thus, producing
algae biofuel is a net-zero, or carbon neutral, process when comparing change in CO2 levels from
start to finish (Moreira and Pires 376). Furthermore, the need for capturing carbon emissions on
an industrial scale is becoming increasingly more evident as environmental laws are strictly
enforcing emission allowances. The use of algae to transform CO2 from power plants into
valuable products is both environmentally considerate and profitable from an economic
perspective at the same time (Sahoo et al. 32).
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The future of algae biotechnology is dependent on in-depth research studies and raising
consumer awareness on the value of carbon dioxide conversion to algae-derived products. In my
report, I will explore the pros and cons of using algae to sequester carbon dioxide that would
otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere. My research will be based on areas such as industrial
application, environmental effects, cost, profitability, and end-product value.
Research Methods
Before I begin my first draft, I will need to collect a large portion of my research. This
initial step will allow me to spend more time connecting ideas to the material in the later stages
rather than searching for appropriate sources to use. I will gather research by taking advantage of
access to thousands of scientific journals through the UK Libraries Database as well as Google
Scholar. I plan to exceed the required minimum number of sources so that I can be more
prepared in answering questions during my final presentation. If I decide to interview one of the
UK professors that work at the Center for Applied Energy Research, I will likely contact Mark
Crocker since I have previously been in contact with him about internship possibilities. Primary
evidence garnered from this interview would effectively align with the theoretical secondary
research from my other sources.
Drafting Techniques
Once I have completed the first draft, I will take advantage of the writing tool Grammarly
to help with sentence flow and grammar mistakes that Microsoft Word might overlook.
Additionally, I plan to have my report peer reviewed by at least two other students in our class so
that I may receive the necessary constructive criticism to revise my drafts. I also plan to consult
with you over the next few weeks if I come across any trouble areas that may require your
professional expertise. I will complete a total of two rough drafts throughout my revising process
before I finalize my report.
Task Schedule
Date Time Task Completion
Status
11/17/19 11:59 pm Stakeholder Analysis/Annotated Bibliography ☒
11/18/19 – Begin designing infographic for Friday ☐
11/22/19 12:00 pm Infographic Design due/In-class conferences ☐
11/23/19 – Begin preparing PowerPoint presentation ☐
11/26/19 5:00 pm Finish PowerPoint presentation/Class Handout ☐
before Thanksgiving Break
12/1/19 – Practice presentation in front of peer or family ☐
member
12/2/19 – Work on first draft of report and decide which ☐
quotes and figure from secondary sources to
use. Create outline and complete “Front
Matter.”
12/3/19 – Work on “Report Body” and “Back Matter” ☐
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12/4/19 – Complete first draft and peer review with a ☐

classmate
12/6/19 12:00 pm Present research to class ☐
12/7/19 – Edit/Revise first draft using feedback from peer ☐
review during second draft process
12/8/19 – Use Wix to begin designing my website ☐
12/11/19 – Add final touches to research report and ☐
website by reading second draft out loud several
times.
12/13/19 – Make sure everything for the report and ☐
website is completed by re-reading the rubric.
12/16/19 3:30 pm Submit Research Report to Canvas ☐
12/16/19 3:30 pm Submit website link to Canvas ☐

Qualifications
Through my interest in the alternative fuels industry, as well as the energy industry, I am
qualified to research this topic to gather reliable information. The research that I am conducting
for this project could potentially serve as the foundation for further research that I may conduct
as a chemical engineer in the future.
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Annotated Bibliography
Giordano, Mario, and Simona Ratti. “The Biomass Quality of Algae Used for CO2 Sequestration
is Highly Species-Specific and May Vary Over Time.” Journal of Applied Phycology,
vol. 25, no. 5, 2013, pp. 1431-1434. https://link-springer-
com.ezproxy.uky.edu/content/pdf/10.1007/s10811-012-9966-2.pdf.
This is a research study that investigated four different species of algae for the use of
carbon dioxide sequestration. Researchers observed changes in biomass production when
changing variables such as the flow rate of carbon dioxide fed to the photobioreactors.
There was also a difference between carbohydrate to lipid ratios seen across species even
though the growing conditions for each species were identical. Further research needs to
be conducted to determine the best algae species for producing high quality biomass.
Molazadeh, Marziyeh et al. “The Use of Microalgae for Coupling Wastewater Treatment with
CO2 Biofixation.” Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, vol. 7, no. 42, 2019,
pp. 1-12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6433782/.
Algae has been used in both wastewater treatment and carbon dioxide capture as separate
systems. However, this article proposes the combination of the two as a solution to
industrial byproducts such as carbon emissions and wastewater. The article leads an
analysis of integrating theses uses for algae by looking at different algae species and the
energy costs associated with each process.
Moreira, Diana, and José C. M. Pires. “Atmospheric CO2 Capture by Algae: Negative Carbon
Dioxide Emission Path.” Bioresource Technology, vol. 215, 2016, pp. 371-379.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852416303546.
Moreira and Pires emphasize the urgency of reducing carbon dioxide pollutions from the
atmosphere in conjunction with reducing global warming and combatting rising sea
levels as a result. The article mentions growing algae farms in the ocean to reduce the
need for a constant water source and consequently saving freshwater sources. Using algae
for the synthesis of biofuel is gaining more recognition when it is combined with carbon
capture and wastewater treatment. The researchers define algae biomass production as a
Negative Emission Technology (NET) such that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
are reduced.
Ramkrishnan, Udhaya et al. “Sequestration of CO2 by Halotolerant Algae.” Journal of
Environmental Health Science & Engineering, vol. 12, no. 81, 2014, pp. 1-7.
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186%2F2052-336X-12-81.pdf.
This article discusses the need to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy in order to
maintain sustainable practices and meet the global energy demands. Biofuels are an
alternative fuel source that could replace non-renewable fuels such as petroleum. Algae
are very adaptable to harsh environments and can tolerate saltwater unlike most terrestrial
plant species. The use of algae for carbon sequestration inside a small-scale
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photobioreactor is studied for its potential to produce biomass that can be converted into
several different types of biofuels.
Sahoo, Dinabandhu et al. “Using Algae for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Bio-fuel Production to
Combat Climate Change.” Phykos: Journal of the Psychological Society (India), vol. 42,
no. 1, 2012, pp. 32-38. http://phykosindia.com/paper5vol42no1.pdf.
These researchers demand change for the immediate reduction of carbon dioxide
emissions. Algae is so far the best choice for capturing CO2 from the atmosphere as well
as producing a wide range of algae-based products from its abundant production of
biomass. These products include organic fertilizers, feedstuff for animals, bioethanol,
biodiesel, and pharmaceuticals. The goal of the report is to motivate further research into
algae technologies so that the issue of climate change can be addressed.

Wilson, Michael H. et al. “CO2 Recycling Using Microalgae for the Production of Fuels.”
Applied Petrochemical Research, vol. 4, no. 1, 2014, pp. 41-53.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13203-014-0052-3.

The purpose of this article is to investigate the feasibility of converting algae biomass
into value-added products such as biofuels. Researchers studied a pilot-scale algae
photobioreactor setup at Duke Energy’s East Bend Station in Union, KY to test its
viability before moving to an industrial scale. Algae production was monitored with the
highest production during the summer months. Costs and efficiency of the system were
brought into consideration. The algae biomass can be converted not only to fuel but can
also be used in animal feed and organic fertilizer. The authors concluded that the market
for algae-based products needs to be expanded and advertised more so that the overall
process returns a larger profit.