Potential of Cyanobacterial Blooms for Sustainable Biodiesel Production

Oğuz Çam A., Köker Demo L., Özbayram E. G., Zengin Z., Albay M., Akçaalan Albay R.

13th International Conference on Toxic Cyanobacteria, Hania, Yunanistan, 4 - 08 Mayıs 2025, ss.37, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Hania
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Yunanistan
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.37
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Potential of Cyanobacterial Blooms for Sustainable Biodiesel Production Ayça Oğuz, Latife Köker, Gözde Özbayram, Zuhal Zengin, Meriç Albay, Reyhan Akçaalan 1Department of Marine and Freshwater Resources Management, Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, Istanbul University, Fatih, 34134 Istanbul, Türkiye Cyanobacterial blooms have a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems, reaching high population densities under favorable environmental conditions and forming visible scum on the water surface (Akcaalan et al., 2014). However, this substantial biomass offers great potential for the production of economically viable products such as biodiesel and bioactive natural compounds (Madusanka and Manage; 2018; Duman et al., 2019). Thus, the exploitation of cyanobacterial blooms could provide both environmental and economic benefits. To explore this potential, water samples were collected from two artificial rainwater harvesting ponds in Gümüşyaka and Çakıl (Istanbul, Türkiye) between June and October 2024. Phytoplankton counts were performed to identify the dominant species, and biodiesel yield and quality were analyzed, focusing on the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content. The results showed that cyanobacteria represented more than 80% of the total algal abundance in both ponds. In Çakıl, Microcystis sp. was identified as the dominant species, while Aphanizomenon sp. and Planktothrix agardhii were dominant in Gümüşyaka. FAME content analysis showed that biodiesel yields ranged between 45% and 60% in Çakıl and between 40% and 50 % by weight in Gümüşyaka. In addition, the fatty acid composition met biodiesel quality standards (EN 14214 and ASTM D6751). These results showed higher FAME content compared to laboratory-scale cultures, suggesting that the natural stress conditions in these environments increased FAME production. The study highlights the significant potential of biomass derived from cyanobacterial blooms for sustainable and economically viable biodiesel production. This approach not only supports the bioenergy sector, but also helps mitigate the environmental impacts of harmful algal blooms.

Keywords: Cyanobacteria Bloom, Biodiesel, FAME, Rainwater Harvesting Ponds