Opportunities for valorisation of pelagic Sargassum in the Dutch Caribbean

López-Contreras, Ana M.; Geest, Matthijs van der; Deetman, B.; Burg, Simone van der; Brust, Hanneke; Vrije, Truus de

doi:10.18174/543797

Cited by 10 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…The most used methods for seaweed biomass storage are those that aim to the material stabilization by reducing the water content or that lower the pH to prevent degradation (ensiling). Methodologies for sargassum biomass storage have been reviewed recently [49].…”

Section: Storage Of the Biomassmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This section is a modified version of a previous study [49]. Ensiling is a procedure commonly used to store agricultural products (such as grasses) during the winter season, and it can be used, as well, for seaweed storage.…”

Section: Ensilingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, the UNEP [36] proposes a six-step value chain (harvesting, storage, transportation, processing and packaging, distribution, and sales and marketing). Variants of this chain were proposed by Oxenford et al [47], who provide an extensive review of the main challenges and potential solutions for the sustainable use of Sargassum; and by Lopez-Contreras et al [49], who highlight the valorization of sargassum into biofuel (biogas) and agricultural products (fertilizer or animal feed supplement). This section describes the applications that can be of interest, or are currently under development in Mexico.…”

Section: Current and Potential Applications Of Sargasso Biomass For A...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a study conducted in the French Caribbean, the French Tropical Technical Institute recommended avoiding the direct application of sargassum to the soil due to the total arsenic contents of sargassum 100-200 mg/kg [65]. Other studies suggest using the remaining sludge from the anaerobic digestion of sargassum as potential nutrient-rich fertilizer [49,64,66,67].…”

Section: Agricultural Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the case of anaerobic digestion of Sargassum spp., few experiments have been conducted reporting CH4 yields of 81-104 mL CH4/g VS applying a fungi pretreatment [49]; and 541 mL CH4/g VS using a hythane (hydrogen + methane) process [77]. In contrast, the anaerobic digestion of sargassum collected at the Turks and Caicos island did not produce CH4, probably due to high phenolic content and lack of carbohydrate solubilization [31].…”

Section: Agricultural Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sargassum in Mexico: from environmental problem to valuable resource

López-Contreras

Valenzuela²,

García³

et al. 2022

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In recent years, large amounts of floating species of Sargassum seaweeds have arrived on the coasts and beaches of some Caribbean islands, the Gulf of Mexico, Northern Brazil, and West Africa. These beaching events appear to be recurring almost every year and cause major environmental, health, and economic problems in the affected areas. These Sargassum influxes threaten the already fragile coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds; they also disrupt the livelihoods of communities, especially those associated with the tourism and fishing sectors. This study aimed to develop strategies for valorization of the sargassum biomass that arrives to the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico. The present study is the result of the project "ValoSarg", financed by the Dutch program Kansen voor Morgen in 2021. This project was carried out as a collaboration between Mexican researchers at IPICYT, Wageningen University and Research and the company AllOptimal b.v. The project was coordinated by Wageningen University and Research under the supervision of the Agriculture advisor of the Dutch Embassy in Mexico.This report includes a compilation of data on sargassum origin, composition, policies, management, and uses from a variety of resources, with a focus on the Mexican situation. We have consulted scientific literature, (governmental) public reports, internet resources; and discussed with parties involved in sargassum research or use, in order to formulate strategies for building new value chains for valorization of sargassum biomass.Besides the fundamental research by Universities or Research Centers on many sargassum-related topics, such as biology, biorefinery or applications, in Mexico, several commercial activities relate to sargassum harvesting, valorization and innovations. Most of these activities are being developed by small companies Sargassum as feedstock for biogas production 3.1

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Section: Storage Of the Biomassmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ensilingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Current and Potential Applications Of Sargasso Biomass For A...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Agricultural Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Agricultural Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sargassum in Mexico: from environmental problem to valuable resource

López-Contreras

Valenzuela²,

García³

et al. 2022

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Seaweed as climate mitigation solution: Categorizing and reflecting on four climate mitigation pathways

van den Burg,

Koch,

Poelman

et al. 2023

WIREs Climate Change

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Global concerns about climate change were once again expressed at the COP27 in Sharm El‐Sheikh. Seaweed is frequently presented as a solution for climate mitigation. For a proper appraisal of its contribution to mitigating climate change, it is necessary to distinguish between, and critically scrutinize, the various pathways seaweed‐based climate mitigations can take. This article identifies four different climate mitigation pathways and critically reflects on each. First, carbon sequestration, occurring when grown seaweed is left in the seas or, second, purposefully sunk. Third, carbon emission reduction, resulting when seaweed‐based products replace products with a higher carbon footprint, either fossil based products or other organic material. Fourth, carbon emission avoidance, taking place when seaweed products are used to avoid greenhouse gas emissions in other production processes. Each of these pathways requires specific methods to quantify their magnitude and comes with critical questions to ask. The sequestration pathway requires monitoring of net carbon production and the amount of carbon that is eventually exported to the deep sea. Pathways 3 and 4 require Life Cycle Assessment and/or Carbon Footprint with system boundaries set to include the production system itself and installation thereof. We propose an unequivocal categorization in a belief that confusion on the benefits of seaweed will eventually impede development of seaweed‐based solutions.This article is categorized under: The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Benefits of Mitigation

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The Social Construction of International Environmental Policies in the Caribbean: The Case of Sargassum

Parra-Leylavergne

2023

Environmental Politics and Theory

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Opportunities for valorisation of pelagic Sargassum in the Dutch Caribbean

Cited by 10 publications

References 89 publications

Sargassum in Mexico: from environmental problem to valuable resource

Sargassum in Mexico: from environmental problem to valuable resource

Seaweed as climate mitigation solution: Categorizing and reflecting on four climate mitigation pathways

The Social Construction of International Environmental Policies in the Caribbean: The Case of Sargassum

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