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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Global seaweed farming and processing in the past 20 years
ClearContribution of seaweed farming to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and microplastics pollution
Researchers reviewed how seaweed farming can help fight two major environmental problems: seaweed absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere without competing for agricultural land, and seaweed-derived polymers can be used to make biodegradable plastics that break down without generating persistent microplastics. Scaling up seaweed-based bioplastics remains limited by production costs, but the potential environmental benefits make further research worthwhile.
Recent Advances in Seaweed Biorefineries and Assessment of Their Potential for Carbon Capture and Storage
This review covers recent advances in seaweed biorefinery technologies for producing biofuels, high-value chemicals, and carbon capture, examining the technical challenges that limit large-scale production. Seaweeds are highlighted for their rapid growth, lack of competition with food crops, and potential for CO2 sequestration.
Biotechnologies for bulk production of microalgal biomass: from mass cultivation to dried biomass acquisition
This review covers the current technologies for mass-producing microalgal biomass, from large-scale cultivation to harvesting and drying methods. Researchers discuss the challenges that keep production costs high, including contamination control and energy-intensive processing steps. The study highlights microalgae as a sustainable bioresource for food, pharmaceuticals, and feed, while noting that further innovation is needed to make commercial-scale production economically viable.
The empirical evidence for the social-ecological impacts of seaweed farming
This systematic review assessed empirical evidence for social and ecological impacts of seaweed farming globally, finding that while benefits like improved water quality and coastal livelihoods are well-documented, many other claimed benefits lack strong empirical support.
A baseline studies programme for sustainable and resilient seaweed cultivation in Faroese fjords
Researchers developed a baseline environmental studies programme for seaweed cultivation in Faroese fjords, scoping potential impacts on the marine environment and recommending a monitoring programme to support sustainable and resilient aquaculture development in the Faroe Islands.
Harnessing seaweed farming for climate mitigation in South Korea: evaluating carbon dioxide removal potential and future research directions
Researchers evaluated the potential of seaweed farming as a carbon dioxide removal strategy in South Korea. They found that seaweed cultivation can sequester carbon through biomass storage and dissolved organic carbon release, while also substituting carbon-intensive products. The study suggests that scaling up seaweed aquaculture could contribute meaningfully to climate mitigation goals, though more research is needed on long-term carbon storage pathways.
Seaweed as a sink for microplastic contamination: Uptake, identifications and food safety implications
This review examines how seaweed, a widely consumed food, absorbs and accumulates microplastics from ocean water. Research shows seaweed can account for up to 45.5% of total dietary microplastic intake in some regions, with particularly high levels in South Asia. The findings are concerning for human health because seaweed is eaten directly and is also increasingly used in health supplements and food additives.
Food safety in the seaweed food supply chain : Inventory of production, consumption and chemical and physical hazards
This Dutch food safety report inventories the chemical and physical hazards — including microplastics — present in seaweed cultivated for human consumption. As the seaweed food market grows, understanding contamination risks including plastic particles is important for protecting consumer health.
A comparative environmental life cycle assessment of hatchery, cultivation, and preservation of the kelpSaccharina latissima
Researchers conducted a comparative environmental life cycle assessment of hatchery, cultivation, and preservation stages for the brown seaweed Saccharina latissima at a pilot facility in Sweden, accounting for nutrient bioremediation and carbon capture benefits. The study evaluated the environmental sustainability profile of seaweed cultivation as part of potential contributions to the circular bioeconomy.
Seaweed restocking along the Chilean coast: History, present, and inspiring recommendations for sustainability
This review examines three decades of strategies to restore commercially harvested seaweed stocks along the Chilean coast, where intensive kelp extraction has depleted natural beds. While biological feasibility has been demonstrated for several species, scaling these pilot approaches cost-effectively to fishing communities remains the key challenge.
Exploring Seaweed Cultivation in the Marine Environment and Its Interaction with Microplastic
This review examines interactions between seaweed cultivation in marine environments and microplastic pollution, exploring how seaweed can both accumulate microplastics and potentially be used in bioremediation strategies to reduce plastic contamination in coastal waters.
Seaweed-based films for sustainable food packaging: properties, incorporation of essential oils, applications, and future directions
This review analyzed seaweed-based films for sustainable food packaging, covering their mechanical and barrier properties, the incorporation of essential oils for antimicrobial activity, and applications across different food commodities.
Microplastics contamination in seaweed: impacts on human health and mitigation approaches
This review found that microplastics contaminate many types of edible seaweed, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms. Since seaweed is consumed worldwide, these microplastics can enter the human body and potentially cause oxidative damage, cell toxicity, and neurotoxicity. More research is needed to fully understand the health risks of eating microplastic-contaminated seaweed.
Food packaging based on biodegradable polymers from seaweeds: a systematic review
This systematic review examines the use of seaweed-based biodegradable polymers as alternatives to conventional plastic food packaging. The research explores how seaweed materials can provide effective food packaging while breaking down naturally in the environment. Replacing petroleum-based plastics with biodegradable alternatives is one strategy for reducing the microplastic pollution that enters our food and water.
Recent Advances in Seaweed Biorefineries and Assessment of Their Potential for Carbon Capture and Storage
Not relevant to microplastics research; this paper reviews the potential of seaweed-based coastal marine biorefineries for producing third-generation biofuels and capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Seaweed Polysaccharide in Food Contact Materials (Active Packaging, Intelligent Packaging, Edible Films, and Coatings)
This review examines how seaweed-based polysaccharides are being developed as alternatives to conventional plastics for food packaging applications, including active packaging, intelligent packaging, and edible coatings. Researchers found that these natural materials can extend food shelf life by providing antimicrobial and antioxidant properties while being biodegradable. The study highlights seaweed polysaccharides as a promising sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging in the food industry.
Food safety hazards in the European seaweed chain
Researchers reviewed food safety hazards in the European seaweed supply chain, ranking 22 potential hazards based on available evidence. Arsenic, cadmium, iodine, and Salmonella were identified as major hazards, while micro- and nanoplastics were among the hazards where significant data gaps exist. The study recommends collecting more data on these under-researched hazards, noting that factors like seaweed type, cultivation location, and processing methods all influence contaminant levels.
Emerging technologies for conversion of sustainable macroalgal carrageenan biomass into L-lactic acid: A state-of-the-art review
This review examines how macroalgae (seaweed) can be converted into lactic acid for making polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic alternative. Using non-food biomass like seaweed to produce biodegradable plastics could help reduce dependence on fossil-based plastics that generate persistent microplastic pollution.
Novel seaweed-based bioplastic: A prospective Life Cycle Assessment
This PhD thesis uses life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of making bioplastic from brown seaweed. Seaweed-based bioplastics could offer a lower-impact alternative to conventional plastics, potentially reducing the generation of persistent microplastics in the environment.
Harvesting the benefits of nutritional research to address global challenges in the 21st century
Researchers reviewed progress in aquaculture nutrition over the past 20 years, highlighting improvements in feed conversion efficiency and the expanded use of diverse feed ingredients. The study identifies ongoing challenges including the need for better understanding of nutrient requirements across aquaculture species and the importance of addressing global food security through continued nutritional research.
The environmental impact and economic feasibility assessment of composite calcium alginate bioplastics derived from Sargassum
Researchers assessed the environmental impact and economic feasibility of producing calcium alginate bioplastics from Sargassum seaweed, presenting a novel approach that could address both plastic pollution and invasive seaweed problems in the Caribbean.
An Overview of the Alternative Use of Seaweeds to Produce Safe and Sustainable Bio-Packaging
This review explores how compounds derived from seaweed, particularly polysaccharides like alginates and carrageenans, can be used to create biodegradable packaging as an alternative to conventional plastics. Researchers found that seaweed-based biopolymers offer both functional packaging properties and potential health benefits, while avoiding the microplastic pollution caused by petroleum-based plastics. The approach represents a promising step toward reducing ocean plastic contamination by replacing single-use plastics with marine-sourced biodegradable materials.
The contribution of aquaculture systems to global aquaculture production
This review examines how global aquaculture has grown since 2000 through better feeds, improved management, and intensification, and discusses the environmental challenges that remain. While not directly about microplastics, aquaculture environments are increasingly contaminated with plastic particles, which can accumulate in farmed fish and shellfish that millions of people depend on for food.
Rehashing Our Insight of Seaweeds as a Potential Source of Foods, Nutraceuticals, and Pharmaceuticals
This review summarizes research on seaweed as a source of beneficial compounds including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and other health-promoting substances. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because seaweeds grow in marine environments increasingly contaminated with microplastics. Understanding the health benefits of seaweed also requires considering the potential risks of microplastic contamination in these marine food sources.