The exploration of seaweed biomass as a fuel for energy production

In the long history of coastal people, it has proven to be multiple uses of seaweeds. Commonly used of seaweeds became as fertilizers and soil conditions, as animal and fish feed, as biomass for fuel, as cosmetics, as integrated aquaculture, wastewater treatment for the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds or for the removal of toxic metals from industrial wastewater. In coastal areas with significantly high sources of algae, withered leaves and parts of the root system of the plants, regularly washed up on the shores, where they accumulate in thick layers mixed with sand and organic residues. Despite the many benefits and seaweed contribution to the protection of coastal ecosystems, coastal municipalities every year at the beginning of the summer season are removing these deposits. Once removed from the shores, this seaweed biomass generally ends up in the landfills. The management of rich seaweed residues on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea in Sweden is aimed at the identification of the seaweed species among the coastal area and its transformation into a green alternative energy source. The present study deals with the exploration of the Baltic Sea biomass as a fuel for energy production. The sources of aquatic bioenergy are analysed, while technologies used to convert aquatic plants to biofuels will be also examined in the near future.