Photosynthetic unicellular micro-organisms include prokaryotic (cyanobacteria) and eukaryotic ones. They are responsible for half of the global photosynthesis, the other half being realized by plants and trees. Microalgae and cyanobacteria are currently being studied for biofuels, feed or food, valuable chemicals or for wasterwater treatment. In our research, we focus on their CO2 capture through photosynthesis, in the objective of climate change mitigation.
A first work has been realized in our team and published in 2022. It is a “thought experiment” consisting in a “negative emissions” process, i.e. removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The feasibility of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) using microalgae or cyanobacteria instead of plants was investigated and quantified.
A PhD started in our group in 2024, on the topic of quantifying the CO2 capture realized by a cyanobacterium. The experiments are realized either using a photobioreactor or a multicultivator.
