1. Lars Brunner
SAMS
Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

2. Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

3. Scottish S eaweed Research Association
survey from 1947 -1955
Aerial photography + grab sampling
100,000+ quadrats, 8500 km of coastline
Density ton/ hectare range from 48 (Orkney)
to 7 (Fraserburgh) estimate of total
standing stock ~10 million tons
Likely to be underestimate S CUBA analysis
shows 2-4 times qty of grab sample
Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

4. Large brown macroalgae, or kelp, grow
very rapidly and can be fermented to
produce alcohols (ethanol, butanol etc.)
Both macroalgal and microalgal biomass
can also be anaerobically digested (AD) to
produce methane
They lack lignin and have a low cellulose
content, they are a better material for
complete biological degradation to
methane than land plants such as forestry
Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll and agricultural wastes.
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

5. Practical work
Loch Beag, Moidart
Droppers deployed on mussel farm
lines
Species outplanted;
Saccharina latissima
Saccorhiza polyschides
Scottish Marine
Alaria esculenta
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

6. CT room (or room with constant
13-16 °C range)
UV filtered, filtration graded
seawater
String, coils and bins
The seed stock!
Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

7. Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

8. Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

9. Scottish Marine
Institute, A mixture of threaded (shown here) and hooped droppers
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

10. Seaweed culture now established in Scotland
Tiny plants 2mm
seeded to string
Each plant at harvest,
6 8 months later, 1- 2m
Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA 3 months
Scotland, UK

11. As an IMTA tool?
Can create harvestable crop in right
location in 6 months possibility for
multiple yearly crop
Diffuse nutrient absorption
Can be used as feedstock for biofuel, or as
market develops for high value
pharmaceutical and food crops
Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

12. Seaweed to biofuel: not a new idea, but
time to revisit the technology
As long ago as 1974, Americans
looked for a renewable source of
methane (natural gas) from the seas
Their data showed that high levels
of methane could be readily
produced from seaweed
At the time offshore farms were a
failure due to engineering issues
Scottish Marine Since then inshore seaweed
Institute,
Oban, Argyll aquaculture has developed globally
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK on a massive scale

13. Algal Algal energy
energy
Anaerobic
digestion
Instant use or
storable
energy source
Bench trials at
S AMSto
analyse
Scottish Marine production
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

14. Why not wild harvest
for our macrolagae?
This shallow water resource is
essential habitat, home to a wide
biodiversity of flora and fauna and
nursery grounds for many
important species.
Norway harvests about 170kt/pa
but there are questions over
environmental impact and
sustainability.
Little control over product
quality (by-catch, rubbish, age
structure)
In terms of making a contribution
Scottish Marine to fuels: wild harvest is likely to be
Institute,
Oban, Argyll unsustainable and insignificant
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

15. How much would we have to grow to make a valuable contribution in
terms of UK energy needs and helping reach the 2050 carbon offsetting
targets?
Seaweed farms to meet the Seaweed farms to meet the
electrical needs (4,000kwh) of domestic gas requirements of
Scottish Marine
Institute,
10% of Scottish homes Mull
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Area of Mull (87,500 ha)
Scotland, UK
Figures from A. Hughes, see also DECC Carbon offsetting 2050 Project report

16. Large Scale Biogas & Bioethanol
Production
To produce biofuel from macroalgae :
improve performance of both
marine bacteria for methanisation and bioethanol
production
latest AD technology
Effects of kelp harvesting ecosystems and biofuel
production on the terrestrial environment
Key objective improvements in crop yield.
Selective breeding
Expansion of existing culture banks
Strain selection and maintenance facilities similar for
Scottish Marine terrestrial plants and animals
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

17. Macrocystis
culture
Multiple longline
growth sites in
both North and
South of country
High levels of
research funding
Commercial farms
in place
Production
Scottish Marine
Institute, targets set
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

18. Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

19. Scottish Marine
Institute,
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
Scotland, UK

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