ALGASAL+: Sustainable and competitive cultivation of native algae associated with brine discharges from desalination plants for the improvement of the natural environment. Valorization of the final product in the food industry
Pleamar program
The Canary Islands and the south of the Iberian Peninsula have a unique potential in Europe for the development of terrestrial marine plant aquaculture, due to their geoclimatic characteristics that allow maximizing the productivity of photosynthetic algae. In these same regions, desalination plants proliferate, essential for obtaining drinking water in environments with increasing water scarcity. The ALGASAL⁺ project proposes the coupling of vegetable aquaculture production plants to desalination plants, through the use of brine generated by desalination as a means of cultivation for algae, as well as through the joint use of infrastructures for seawater harvesting and discharge management. This is intended to improve the efficiency of the use of resources (water, nutrients, energy) and the environmental footprint of terrestrial plant aquaculture and the quality of the brine discharge generated before its return to the marine environment.
Line of action:
Marine ecosystemsStatus:
En ejecuciónExecution date:
2024End date:
2026Project web page:
https://www.programapleamar.es/proyectos/algasal-cultivo-sostenible-y-competitivo-de-algas-nativas-asociado-vertidos-de-salmuera-deThe general objective of the ALGASAL⁺ project is to promote sustainable and competitive aquaculture of native algae, taking advantage of brine discharges from desalination plants, contributing to the improvement of their impact on the environment.
Its specific objectives seek to disseminate knowledge about the biological capital of local algae with capacities to adapt to hypersalinity conditions in regions with limited water resources.
It is also intended to improve scientific-technical knowledge on the cultivation of algae in hypersaline conditions and on sustainable aquaculture with native microalgae and macroalgae, taking advantage of brine discharges from desalination plants.
In addition, this project aims to take advantage of and value the brine waste from desalination plants by using it as part of the algae cultivation medium.
Likewise, the blue biotechnology sector will be promoted in communities with less economic development such as the Canary Islands and Andalusia, generating technology transfer and improving knowledge in sustainable aquaculture in these communities.
Finally, ALGASAL⁺ seeks to value the final biomass obtained in the food industry, thus contributing to food security in the European Union.
University of Almería
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Spanish Algae Bank
ALGASAL+: Sustainable and competitive cultivation of native algae associated with brine discharges from desalination plants for the improvement of the natural environment. Valorization of the final product in the food industry
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