Macroalgae cultivation

Curonian Lagoon, Lithuania

Curonian Lagoon is the largest coastal lagoon in the Baltic Sea. It is a shallow, eutrophic and mostly freshwater estuary with the main inflow dominated by freshwater discharges from the Nemunas river. In recent decades, long-term increases in nutrients, phytoplankton abundance and macroalgae blooms has been observed.

To date, no assessment has ever been made of the potential positive environmental impacts and economic feasibility of using the Curonian Lagoon macroalgae. The use of this biomass could reduce the Lagoon eutrophication problems while at the same time generate new branches of economic activities.

The aim of the study is to identify and evaluate the suitability of Curonian Lagoon algae species for further use as raw material for different purposes: wastewater treatment agents, biogas production, nutrient supplements or alternative products.

More specifically, within the SUBMARINER project, CORPI will carry out the following activities:

• Analysis of environmental conditions and biodiversity of the Lagoon algae (macroalgae species identification).
• Assessment of the relevance of bio-pond technology and technical solutions to support algae cultivation. The demonstration study is based on bioponds systems and is intended to estimate how macro- and microalgae could contribute to domestic wastewater treatment.
• Estimation of potential economical benefit of applied technology.
• Analysis of socioeconomic perspectives.
• Development of a strategy for Curonian Lagoon algae utilization including potential technologies, identification of potential stakeholders, and conclusions for regional planning.