Abstract

There is a huge urge currently for the new, cleanand renewable energy as well as the protection of environmentalresources for the sustainable livelihood of human. In recentdecades, microalgae received lots of attention for its carbondioxide capturing potential and as a valuable feedstock forbioenergy. This study aimed to analyze the effect ofgeographical coordinates on carbon dioxide sequestration bymicroalgae using mathematical models. Ten sites at threedifferent latitudes were chosen for the study based ongeographical location of the places in the Equator, Tropic ofCancer and Tropic of Capricorn. The key model inputparameters such as solar radiation and other climatic conditionsfor the identified potential sites were retrieved from NASA, USAdatabases and used as basis for estimating annual microalgalbiomass production and carbon sequestration potential. Thevariation in microalgal productivities and carbon dioxidesequestering potential were very minimal at countries present inthe Equator while the Tropic of Capricorn has relatively higherproductivities than the countries present in the Tropic of Cancer.This study provides a baseline data for theoretical estimates andeffect of photoinhibition on microalgal photobioreactorproduction systems in the selected study locations.