Oxygen Replenishment

Encouraging diatom farming on sea and other large water bodies

a concept study

We talk of carbon dioxide increase in the atmosphere and it is mostly due to increased use of fossil fuels. As we burn more and more of this fuel increase in the percentage of this warming gas is inevitable. The corollary of this, increase in the percentage of this gas, is that percentage of Oxygen gas is reducing almost in the same percentage. One record shows in the nineteenth century that carbon dioxide was 325 ppm in air, which was considered as standard for further calculations, and now we find that this share is 389 ppm in 2008. That means, oxygen depletion is of the order of 64 ppm over the century and that is mostly attributed to the fossil fuel burning. This gradual reduction in Oxygen is yet not independently investigated so far but to my mind further lowering of this life giving gas may be responsible for many health problems so far not directly blamed on it. Another reason for increase in the percentage of carbon dioxide is generation of large quantity of cement. While producing cement calcium carbonate is roasted to get lime which simultaneously fuses with clay and makes the cement. This carbon dioxide is also released in the atmosphere. In this process no atmospheric oxygen is consumed. Ever increase in this warming gas is a concern of all the environmentalists today.

I want to publish this paper to give general idea about how the new concept of diatom farming or more properly may call it oxygen farm; in the ocean or any large water body can help solve this problem and at the same time offer large employment. But that is not all; in addition to that this concept if properly exploited can offer large number of products made out of this algae and similar other varieties of phytoplankton. By exploiting this concept properly, we can control gradual loss of oxygen, which is the main concern of all environmentalists.

Primary concept

By the natural effects as it is, this variety of life keeps growing in the ocean and other large water bodies and at present, it is the principal source of oxygen to atmosphere. When we were searching the principal source of oxygen to atmosphere, found that plant organism in the process of carbon fixation due to photosynthesis releases some oxygen and that way nature is replenishing the lost oxygen and maintains the balance. However, on further investigation found that during 24 hours, quantity of oxygen consumed by respiration is much more, than released during photosynthesis during day light and that means in effect large or multicellular plants are not true suppliers of oxygen to the atmosphere. Finally, we found that unicellular plants such as diatoms and that type of variety produce more oxygen in sun light than they consumed for respiration during 24 hours. Oxygen released in this way dissolves partially in the water in which they grow and if the plant is surfacing on water, some part of such released oxygen is discharged into atmosphere. This variety of plats grow very rapidly and they proliferate profusely continuously releasing considerable quantity of oxygen in air and that portion of oxygen they release in water is used by water plants and other life in that water however, when the portion of water on the surface evaporates oxygen held in that is also released to air. In this way, a continuous supply of fresh oxygen is maintained keeping atmospheric oxygen percentage at constant level.

Nature has an innate capacity to replenish continuously consumed oxygen and the process was going on until now when human interference has exceeded this limit. As human consumption of fossil fuel has increased, atmospheric oxygen level is reducing at the same rate as increase in the level of carbon dioxide. I presume hypothetically that the natural rate of plankton or diatom growth no more matched by the rate of increase of carbon dioxide due to this excessive consumption of oxygen by fossil fuels. Now I suggest time has come for human being to help nature increase the production of plankton by undertaking diatom farming or oxygen farm in the ocean or such large water bodies particularly in temperate zone where they grow more effortlessly. I have also suggested ‘inland’ farming at the end of this article as an alternative to ‘on ocean’ farming.

Farming technique

When this diatom grows naturally, observation showed that supply of Carbon dioxide to them for photosynthesis and oxygen for respiration and other nutrients such as silica and phosphorous when available they grow well. That means, in artificial diatom farming, take care to see that supply of these things is proper to them. Diatom begins to grow in the water but as their need of Carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and oxygen for respiration increases, they rise up at the surface for adequate supply from atmosphere. However, when Carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and oxygen for respiration supplied by bubbling air in the water body by some arrangement, such as windmill, to run the air pump, they may grow well even at slightly close to surface and not on the surface. Keeping water cleaned, of dead diatom and other waste material that may come in that place, by frequent filtering and to this power supply from the same windmills is possible. Offering support material for the diatom to hold on, I found rice husk and charcoal ash, a suitable medium since it supplies silica to diatom as they grow on it; rice husk and ash both is consumed in the process of growth of diatom. Some mechanical device such as hauler provided with filter mechanism periodically removes fully developed diatom colonies and removed for further processing on mainland. Filtered water recharged back to sea. Use of windmill makes power readily available and that way the complete unit becomes self sufficient in power. This cleaning of algae bloom from time to time is required to keep water as transparent as possible so that sun light can reach up to lower level where diatom colonies begin to grow. This also helps in keeping the farm from attracting big fish such as whale and shark.

Expected difficulties

This diatom and other plankton varieties we may grow; is food of many fishes including large ones such as whale and shark along with many smaller species. Obviously, we must understand that when large quantity of diatom is regularly grown in a particular place in ocean these fishes are most likely be visiting there. To avoid they scoop out the yield before the farmer do; only possible way is to remove the developed diatom colonies at quick frequencies; say on daily basis. Even then, some small fish is going to get a part of it. Whale and other big fish may visit only if the colonies are very large and by experience, one can know at what growth these fish is attracted and after careful study, the farmer shall keep the growth in suitable limit to avoid big fish. Other difficulties are, drifting of the farm due to waves in the ocean, storms, heavy rains on the ocean, and accidents due to ships colliding on the farm. A suitable lighting arrangement using power from the windmill may solve the last mentioned difficulty.

Fencing

To keep the diatom farm drifting from the allotted place a fencing of drums is the suggestion. Drum fencing, commonly used to keep in control oil spills at present, is by far the most suitable suggestion until now. Similar arrangement may be used and if better arrangement is invented, that shall replace it.

Possible places and countries to participate

Almost all countries bordering on ocean in the temperate zone are possible contenders. All seas near most of the countries such as USA, China, Australia, Canada and Russia are probable contenders. Growing diatom colonies in warm waters have not shown very promising results but there are some varieties on which scientists may do experiments and if that comes out successful, such oxygen giving diatom farms can grow almost anywhere.

Random calculations

While deciding the size and other parameters of such oxygen farm; first variable to consider will be quantity of oxygen to replenish. For number of molecules of oxygen consumed same number of molecules of carbon released in the form as carbon dioxide. In the reverse process of releasing oxygen, we will have to see that number of carbon molecules fixed to release same number of oxygen. Other values used to calculate are as given here, 14C = 16O2, C = 30% dry weight of algae produced; with these values calculations show that for releasing 100 tons of oxygen in air approximately 68000 tons of wet algae or 3400 tons of dry algae is produced. To produce that quantity of algae we need a farm of size roughly 50 hectors if the requirement is on per week basis. However, actual values we will find only by real time method. These values likely changed; depending upon variety of diatom, availability of nutrients, other factors such as predatory interference, storms, scooping method, and frequency of scooping and high wind will change the final production of oxygen from such farms.

Every nation will have to find out how much oxygen it consumes on fuel and that will decide the obligation for that country for investing in such oxygen farms.

Present work on similar concept

Even though no farm concept worked on at present to produce oxygen, we see that similar concept to produce large quantity of algae to produce fuel oil are under experimental stage in Australia. A glimpse of that may help understand what will be possible when worked on this project.

In a recent project funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Dr Jian Qin, of Flinders University, investigated the use of a well-studied green alga known as Botryococcus braunii, or Bb for short, as a supplier of biological hydrocarbons. Bb is a colonial alga of lakes and reservoirs, where it blooms into large, green, floating mats – and it is a remarkably oily little plant. Up to 75% of the dry weight of this particular species is a natural hydrocarbon that can be converted into petrol, diesel or turbine fuel or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons. In addition to producing this it also releases quantity of oxygen in air and that is an additional factor in its merit.

Dr. Jian Qin says in his paper that the research phase is almost completed and regular production run is likely undertaken soon. Steve Davidson adds, ‘We’ve finished the initial stage of this research funded by RIR&DC. Biotechnology Company SQC Pty. Ltd. has developed a Partnership with Flinders University to seek more funds through public and private sectors to further our research.’

Pollution Control - other options in view

Much of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere comes from the burning of fossil fuels. With concerns over global warming, new methods for the thorough and efficient capture of CO2 being sought out. An alternative to Carbon capture and storage, by attaching an algae pond, or photo bioreactor to any fuel burning plant, the carbon dioxide produced during combustion, first cooled by using heat exchanger and then fed into the algae system. Nutrients sourced from sewage, thus turning two pollutants into resources for the production of oxygen with biodiesel as derivative, with a land requirement much smaller than other crop sources. Carbon Capture and Storage in the form of algae residue can help control global warming considerably. Such oxygen farms expected to solve the problem of oxygen depletion at the factories such thermo power plants. Cement plants produce carbon dioxide as calcium carbonate breaks into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide and due to burning of coal powder to produce heat.

Carbon dioxide from the flue gases of the industry first cooled to normal temperature before feeding on the controlled atmosphere of algae growing photo bioreactors. Oxygen generated released to air free. Algae product sold; as manure to farmers and some quick revenue earned to pay for the expenditure of running this bioreactor.

Carbon Credit - Oxygen Credit

This project deserves admission in Carbon Credit convention. Moreover, should be included in the Kyoto protocol, so that farmers of this project will benefit and that may make this concept even profitable.

Inland farming

We see that when this farming done in sea; predators such as whale and shark are the menace in addition to that other hazards such as storms, drifting due to waves and heavy wind are difficult to control. In this context, I suggest use of otherwise unused large land mass available in plenty in places such as Siberia, Australian dessert, Canada, US and many others for this type of farming. For that, shallow lagoons made not more than 40 cm deep, seawater pumped in it, and all other process kept same. Here also windmill will supply the power for all operations. Even though there will be no danger of predators and even small fish to eat away the yield; periodical scooping recommended maintaining the freshness of the final yield of algae. Seawater pumped in the lagoon and from some other suitable point removed back to sea; this action may help keep the quality of the water constant.

Other prospects - Feasibility

While suggesting a new concept one should also consider the economic viability of such concepts; otherwise, this concept will prove to be only of academic value. Oxygen even though the main product is by obligation given to nature free and that means, we have to find out what other products will yield to make such projects feasible economically. We shall now see other prospects of this concept in this context. In this part, I suggest how to use the algae scooped and collected on regular basis.

Special types of diatoms such as Bb, that can give good quantity of fuel oil are exception but for other diatoms other uses for example, suitable for producing protein or as food for human being is also possible. If nothing, else, all algae are suitable as fishmeal, bird meal and manure and that use is of much importance. Side products like, grassland developed using this algae-manure can be useful for rearing deer. I specially recommend that, such oxygen farm if developed on prairie and in the surrounding region deer farm also developed, will work as the most profitable proposal. This has been proved that goat farming is less profitable than deer farming and that is because deerskin is almost twenty times more expensive and meat is five to ten times more expensive than mutton. Food to weight-gain ratio of deer is far better than that of goat and ram. Proliferation rate of deer is far better than that of goats. Per se to improve viability of this project deer farms will prove better than goat farm.

In due course, more profitability factors will become noticeable when actual implementation of this concept is taken in.

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