Sustainable biofuel production using algae.  Dr. Sarina J. Ergas, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Due to mounting concerns about climate change, a number of methods are being investigated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including reforestation, increased use of renewable fuels and CO2 sequestration. Algal CO2 utilization and biofuel production has attracted a great deal of this attention as algae are productive utilizers of CO2 and can generate biomass for production of biodiesel, methane, or other fuels and co-products.  This research will investigate the growth of algae for biofuel production using wastewater from Mote Aquaculture Park (MAP), a state-of-the-art freshwater aquaculture system in Sarasota Florida that produces over 140 metric tons of Siberian sturgeon per year.  By growing algae on MAP wastewater, we not only generate biofuels but also make aquaculture more sustainable by allowing the facility to use less water while discharging less nutrients into the environment.  The REU student will assist with batch and bench-scale bioreactor algal growth experiments, measurement of water quality in and out of the bioreactors, and conducting experiments to determine CO2 uptake by algae under different conditions.  Students with some laboratory experience and mechanical skills are preferred.

More information: Dr. Ergas's website