Small but mighty: How UArizona researchers are harnessing the power of algae to capture carbon
April 20, 2022
Astrobiologist Daniel Apai and biosystems engineer Joel Cuello work with algae in the lab.
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Astrobiologist Daniel Apai (right) and biosystems engineer Joel Cuello (left) work with algae in the lab. Their team aims to harness the power of coccolithophores, which are a single-celled marine algae that use atmospheric carbon dioxide and calcium from saltwater to create intricate shells made of calcium carbonate. The shells are made from a very stable, chalk-like mineral. They can be grown efficiently, then stored to trap carbon dioxide.
Chris Richards