Algae application in civil construction: A review with focus on the potential uses of the pelagic Sargassum spp. biomass. (1st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rossignolo, João Adriano; Felicio Peres Duran, Afonso José; Bueno, Cristiane; Martinelli Filho, José Eduardo; Savastano Junior, Holmer; Tonin, Fernando Gustavo
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 303(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-01
• Subjects: Sargasso -- Chromista -- Blue economy -- Sustainability -- Golden tides; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114258
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Pelagic Sargassum, usually found at the Sargasso Sea and the Western portion of the North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, has been detected in many new locations through the tropical Atlantic. The huge biomass found from the African coast to the Caribbean was called the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt and is responsible for the stranding of tons of algae on coastal regions. Despite the environmental, social, and economic impacts, sargassum is a valuable source for multiple uses at the industry, such as alginates, cosmetics, recycled paper and bioplastics, fertilizers, and as raw material for civil construction. This work presents a systematic literature review on the use of algae at the civil construction sector, with a focus on the valorization of the pelagic Sargassum spp . biomass, by identifying the potential applications related to the use of other algal species. The review considered other genera of marine algae and marine angiosperms, resulting in a total of 31 selected articles. The marine grass Posidonia oceanica was the most used species, found in eight published papers, followed by the red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii with four studies. Two articles were available on the use of pelagic Sargassum spp . (S. fluitans and S.natans) for construction materials (adobe and pavement), with potential good results. The literature presented results from the use of marine algae and sea grasses for particleboards, polymeric and cemented composites, adobe, pavement, facades, and roofs. This article provides a state-of-the-art review of algal application in the civil construction sector and points out the main directions for the potentialities on the insertion of the Sargassum spp. biomass into the production chain of the sector. Highlights: The use of sargassum in civil construction may reduce impacts of beach stranding. Potential uses are proposed by considering the correlated use of other algae species. The selected works indicate a wide range of algal application in civil construction. The analysis of potential uses of sargassum biomass vary based on their composition.