Biosequestration of atmospheric CO2 and flue gas-containing CO2 by microalgae

• Microalgae are the agent for carbon biosequestration.
• CO2 from flue gas is potential carbon source for microalgae cultivation.
• The effect of inhibition derived by toxic pollutants in flue gas towards microalgae.
• The advantages and disadvantages of microalgae cultivation system.

The unceasing rise of greenhouse gas emission has led to global warming and climate change. Global concern on this phenomenon has put forward the microalgal-based CO2 sequestration aiming to sequester carbon back to the biosphere, ultimately reducing greenhouse effects. Microalgae have recently gained enormous attention worldwide, to be the valuable feedstock for renewable energy production, due to their high growth rates, high lipid productivities and the ability to sequester carbon. The photosynthetic process of microalgae uses atmospheric CO2 and CO2 from flue gases, to synthesize nutrients for their growth. In this review article, we will primarily discuss the efficiency of CO2 biosequestration by microalgae species, factors influencing microalgal biomass productions, microalgal cultivation systems, the potential and limitations of using flue gas for microalgal cultivation as well as the bio-refinery approach of microalgal biomass.