Progress in the Application of Algae Plants in Building Carbon Capture Technology
Abstract
Growing concerns over climate change and environmental pollution have increased interest in carbon capture technologies for the built environment. However, previous studies have mainly focused on conventional carbon capture materials such as carbonated concrete and engineered carbon capture systems., with relatively low attention paid to bio based carbon sequestration materials. This article takes microalgae, an emerging bio based carbon sequestration building material, as the starting point and conducts a comprehensive study on algae architecture through literature research. The main research objective of this article is to analyze the carbon sequestration principle of algae, summarize the forms of algae architecture, analyze the advantages of algae carbon capture, and explain the challenges it faces. This study found that algae have a much higher carbon capture efficiency than other organisms and are also easy to cultivate, which gives algae great potential in building carbon sequestration. There are two main forms of algae application in architecture, namely photobioreactor curtain walls and artificial trees. Among them, photobioreactor curtain walls mainly serve individual buildings, while artificial trees mainly serve the entire city. In addition, algae buildings have significant energy and environmental advantages compared to traditional buildings. However, as an emerging technology, algal architecture still faces many economic, technological, and social issues, such as high costs of experimentation and application, and inadequate regulatory measures. Future technological advances may help overcome these challenges and promote the wider application of algae-based carbon capture systems.
References
- Churcher, D. (2013).Life cycle assessment. BSRIA.
- Barcelo, L., Kline, J., Walenta, G., et al. (2014). Cement and carbon emissions.Materials and Structures, 47(6), 1055–1065.
- Bahman, N., Al-Khalifa, M., Al Baharna, S., et al. (2023). Review of carbon capture and storage technologies in selected industries: Potentials and challenges.Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology, 22(2), 451–470.
- Axelson, M., Oberthür, S., & Nilsson, L. J. (2021). Emission reduction strategies in the EU steel industry: Implications for business model innovation.Journal of Industrial Ecology, 25(2), 390–402.
- Asere, J. B., Sanusi, A. N., Auwal, M. J., et al. (2025). Distributed carbon capture in urban environments: Emerging architectures for building-integrated CO₂ removal.Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances, 24(1), 151–176.
- Sayre, R. (2010). Microalgae: The potential for carbon capture.Bioscience, 60(9), 722–727.
- Singh, U. B., & Ahluwalia, A. S. (2013). Microalgae: A promising tool for carbon sequestration.Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 18(1), 73–95.
- Sedighi, M., Pourmoghaddam Qhazvini, P., & Amidpour, M. (2023). Algae-powered buildings: A review of an innovative, sustainable approach in the built environment.Sustainability, 15(4), 3729.
- Metwally, W. M., & Ibrahim, V. A. R. (2024). The integration of bio-active elements into building façades as a sustainable concept.Buildings, 14(10), 3086.
- Hamed, E. A. E., Khan, S. A., Yousaf, A., et al. (2025). A comprehensive review of carbon capture, storage, and reduction strategies within the built environment.Materials, 18(24), 5646.
- Cervera, R., Villalba, M. R., & Sánchez, J. (2024). The artificial tree: Integrating microalgae into sustainable architecture for CO2 capture and urban efficiency—A comprehensive analysis.Buildings, 14(12), 4045.
- Egbo, M. K., Okoani, A. O., & Okoh, I. E. (2018). Photobioreactors for microalgae cultivation–An overview.Int J Sci Eng Res, 9(11), 65–74.
- Kim, K. H., Parrow, M. W., & Kheirkhah Sangdeh, P. (2025). Microalgae-integrated building enclosures: A nature-based solution for carbon sequestration.Frontiers in Built Environment, 11, 1574582.
- Al Dakheel, J., & Tabet Aoul, K. (2017). Building applications, opportunities and challenges of active shading systems: A state-of-the-art review.Energies, 10(10), 1672.
- Saad, M. S., Refaat, M., & Nessim, A. (2025). Integration of algae in buildings: Challenges and opportunities.Mansoura Engineering Journal, 50(6), 1–20.