Development of algae-based technology to mitigate energy crisis in coal mining areas: a critical review

Abstract

Algal biofuels around the world represent a sustainable pathway to meet increasing demand for fuel and clean energy with reduced environmental impact. More than half of that mass consists of lipids or triacylglycerides which are also found in vegetable oils and are used to produce such advanced biofuels as biodiesel, green diesel, green gasoline and green jet fuel. Algal remediation technology helps in pH correction of acidic mine water and effluent and complete reduction of sludge formation, the use of algae for the removal of pollutants from wastewater and CO2 from air. Algae use sunlight, water with carbon dioxide to produce fuel through photosynthesis which is a potential future energy source. The objective of this paper is to utilise algae-based technology to mitigate water pollution by cleaning and absorbing the pollutants, reduce carbon emissions in coal mining polluted areas, eradicate malnutrition by adding more nutrients to the soil to increase soil fertility and food production, with minimisation of the energy crisis in and around coal mining areas where availability of water, fertility of soil, cooking fuel, environment are very poor. Besides this, algae which is left over can be used as biofertiliser, cattle, fish and poultry feeds which will help in creating employment.