How would we implement our project in the real world ?
Introduction
Our project's objective is to enhance the value of green algae that wash up and proliferate on beaches. We will thus produce H2S from the degradation of the green algae’s cell wall. The gas will then be converted into sulfuric acid.
The A³ project stems from a local issue but remains applicable to other countries such as Denmark, Ireland, Italy, the United States, India and China, because green tides are a scourge that worsens every year in the world.
In 2008, for example, Jiaozhou Bay in China experienced an impressive proliferation of up to 20 million tons of Ulva spp. covering 30,000 km². This phenomenon reproduces and intensifies every year [1][2].
Currently, the green algae collected on the beaches of Brittany are only very rarely valued. Thousands of tons are washed up each year (Fig. 1 and 2) but less than 10% are used by companies.
Fig 1. Average surface covered by green algae in Brittany over the period 2007-2018. NB: 1 hectare = 2.5 acres [7]
Part of the algae is transported to the only treatment plant in Brittany in order to be spread on agricultural land. Nevertheless, this solution is not sufficient in the long run since the land must be covered in algae only once every 5 years to avoid damaging the soil. The other part, still present on the beaches, is left as it is due to lack of means and storage capacity. The municipalities must then prohibit access to their beaches for sanitary reasons (proliferation of bacteria and release of a toxic gas). In addition to the health issue, it is also a real economic issue. The municipalities lose money whether the algae are collected or not. Indeed, the non-existence of valorization or the decrease of tourist frequentation [4] leaves the municipalities without solutions in front of this free raw material as far as the eye can see.
Who are our proposed end-users? How do we envision others using our project?
Initially, our project was thought and built for the Brittany municipalities. They will be able to use our solution both to valorize green tides but also to store the surplus of algae collected which cannot be received by the only algae treatment plant. In this way, by passing through our system with our modified bacteria, the municipalities will finally be able to benefit from green tides. They will be able to make up for their loss of money (millions are spent every year on collection) by producing sulphuric acid and then selling it. This will encourage municipalities and companies to collect the stranded algae. The product we offer them is very cost-efficient. Moreover, sulfuric acid is used in very large quantities worldwide. Approximately 270 million tons are used each year worldwide and the market for this substance is expected to reach $13 billion worldwide by 2027. [3] At the same time, we will propose to the municipalities to partner with local laboratories or companies. The latter would benefit from the remaining biomass of green algae previously valorized. Algae are very interesting because they contain high concentrations of valuable molecules (minerals, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and vitamins). We know that today many researches are set up to use algae for energy (biogas, bioethanol, electricity), chemicals (materials, plastics, paper), nutritional (food supplements, animal and human food), cosmetics or pharmaceutical purposes [4]. Thus, the remaining biomass from our project will be collected without being lost.
According to a study by Allied Market Research [5], the market for green algae products is expected to reach $3,451 million worldwide by 2025. Our project will position the region of Brittany as an indispensable part of this new market and propose a model for a local green algae industry to promote employment.
In addition, laboratories and companies use algae that come from algaculture (cultivated macroalgae). Those companies and laboratories could greatly benefit from the remaining biomass, plus the enzymes that we use. Indeed, our transformed E.coli, modified and optimized to effectively degrade the algae cell wall, will be an asset to accelerate the experiments already underway.
Our project also brings a sustainable economic solution to companies using sulphuric acid. Industrial manufacturing requires elemental sulfur as a raw material, which comes from the desulfurization of natural gas and petrol [6]. Thus, we propose an alternative to the raw materials currently used in the sulfuric acid manufacturing process for industrialists. Using algae to produce sulfuric acid would prevent industries from depleting fossil sources.
We think our project as a solution and a product that could be used by local companies and municipalities but also by international companies and countries, such as China, which is invaded by green tides.
Finally, our project could also change its design, particularly with regard to the choice of enzymes used to also adapt to the treatment of brown and red algae on a global scale.
What are the safety aspects we would need to consider?
Working with sulfuric acid and H2S is very dangerous and can be lethal in some circumstances. This is why we have carefully researched about H2S and H2SO4 and their use. You can find this information on our safety page. Moreover, it is important to draw inspiration from local scientific know-how to propose controlled and safe industrial processes.
What other challenges would we need to consider?
The A3 project should be seen as a temporary solution for the treatment of green algae, or as a step towards a less intensive agricultural policy with less impact on the regions. Our project would allow recycling of what is initially a waste, while waiting for legislation to allow a shift to a more respectful way of agricultural production. Indeed, our project should not be considered as biased. This is a real challenge for us. Our project must not take sides when it comes to associations, farmers and politicians and should provide a solution until a consensus decision is reached.
Another challenge to consider: the algae collected on the beaches are generally gorged with water, sand and salt and therefore unusable afterwards. We will therefore have to find an efficient and economically viable method to overcome these problems.
The public mistakenly thinks that green algae are harmful and useless. Finally, we also need to demonstrate the good aspects of green algae to the public. We must now consider public opinion and especially the point of view of the inhabitants of Brittany when our project can be implemented.
Beyond Brittany, we must extend the perspectives of our project internationally and investigate with other countries affected by green tides.
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