00:00It looks a bit like a giant aquarium that desperately needs to be cleaned.
00:06But this water tank is supposed to be green.
00:10Billions of algae live in this 1000 litre bioreactor and their job is to absorb carbon dioxide.
00:19It actually interacts from the top, it interacts with the ambient air and it uses the carbon dioxide from the
00:26ambient air.
00:27And in the presence of sunlight and also the light which we have given for the purpose in the night,
00:34it creates biomass using the photosynthesis process and it releases fresh oxygen from the reactor.
00:43We are on the campus of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies or KUFOS.
00:49They call the giant aquarium here a liquid tree.
00:52Like a real tree, it supplies the surrounding area with fresh oxygen.
00:57I feel like this is a very innovative approach.
01:02Like biology and technology meets together in this.
01:06So I think when I sit here, I feel like I am inhaling more air.
01:11It will bring a very crucial impact on some urban cities and all.
01:19There are not a lot of trees and all.
01:21And it is precisely large cities that need urgent solutions.
01:27Increasing traffic, dust and dirt from construction sites.
01:30Some days particulate matter pollution is so high that it's difficult to breathe.
01:37Microalgae could help remove carbon dioxide from the air.
01:40Like plants, they absorb CO2 and use it as food.
01:44This removes the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere.
01:47Unlike plants, these single-celled organisms do not need energy for roots or leaves.
01:53Microalgae can therefore absorb carbon more efficiently than plants.
01:57When we compare it with that of these land plants, the algae can use a special type of mechanism for
02:03the carbon sequestration.
02:04So this type of method is termed as CCM, carbon dioxide concentration mechanism.
02:10So this carbon dioxide concentration mechanism is effectively implemented in this type of algae.
02:18If the temperature and algae growth are right, this liquid tree can absorb up to 180 grams of CO2 per
02:25day.
02:26Significantly more than your average tree.
02:30Binoy Thomas has been researching microalgae at Catholic College in Patanam Thitt for more than 20 years.
02:38Here, he looks after more than 100 different strains of algae.
02:41His team finds the resilience of microalgae particularly fascinating.
02:47The microalgae can withstand even in the extreme conditions too.
02:52Because these type of organisms can, you know, unicellular, these unicellular organisms can, you know, multiply rapidly and the rapid
03:00fission take place.
03:01And even in the extreme conditions, you know, even the wastewater, even in the extreme temperature conditions, they can withstand
03:09because of this cell's nature.
03:13Zara Biotech, a private company, is testing several types of bioreactors.
03:18Different models are already being used across Kerala.
03:21But the basic technology behind them works in much the same way everywhere.
03:26An external motor will take the external air and push through the algae through a CO2 diffuser and bubble will
03:33form.
03:33And that bubble will offset by algae and take this carbon dioxide in presence of sunlight and water.
03:40But algae are living organisms.
03:42They don't simply grow on their own.
03:45Light and temperature need to stay as stable as possible.
03:49Otherwise, their efficiency drops.
03:52That's why their growth and health have to be monitored constantly.
03:56We monitor the expiry of algae, which is around 30 to 35 days.
04:02After that period, there is a settlement of dead algae, so it needs to be collected and accordingly, a new
04:07medium is replaced.
04:12As microalgae grow, their cells multiply and form a dense mass, effectively storing the carbon dioxide they've captured in their
04:20structure.
04:20There is a biomass formed at the end of this carbon absorption.
04:25And that biomass is being tested in our labs and being converted into valuable resources like
04:31bilite cookies that's been available in the market and the algae poultry feed and different types of other valuable resources.
04:41The cookies are already available to buy.
04:44Abhinav is one of their biggest fans here on campus.
04:46And not just because he likes the taste.
04:51Normally, the biscuits we eat, the ones easily available outside, provide energy.
04:55But they also contain fat and other additives.
04:58This one is fat-free and rich in protein, so it's a healthier option for breakfast.
05:06Using microalgae to clean the air is still in its early stages.
05:10It's unclear how many devices or what size would be needed to make a real difference in a city's air
05:16quality.
05:17Still, entrepreneurs remain optimistic about its potential.
05:23Currently, a lot of start-ups are coming with amazing sensors and filters to offset the carbon and all things.
05:30And they are always looking for sustainability for 50 years.
05:33Maybe after the upcoming five years, maybe create a huge impact of pollution.
05:38So we can't say that this is a single solution, but this is actually a complementary climate infrastructure, we can
05:44say.
05:44Along with other things, it will add value.
05:48The best solution would be to reduce pollution in cities, promote cleaner transport, and reduce soil sealing to make room
05:55for trees.
05:56Which, after all, are much easier to maintain than microalgae in bioreactors.
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