Properties and characterization of biodiesel from selected microalgea stains

The demand for alternative fuels has increased in the past several years[1]. Biofuels are gaining importance as significant substitutes for the depleting fossil fuels. The fact that biofuels are renewable fuels with very low emissions of CO2 in the lifecycle offers them a competitive advantage[2]. However, the first produced biodiesel derived from edible oil seed crops (first generation feedstocks), lurking a serious risk of disturbing the overall worldwide balance of food reserves and safety. The second generation feedstocks for biodiesel production obtained from non-edible oil seed crops, waste cooking oil, animal fats, etc., but these feedstocks are not sufficient to cover the present energy needs. Recent focus is on microalgae as the third generation feedstock[3]. Mi l d t t f l d b t th i lt ( ) b kih(l ) df h Microalgae do not compete for land, but they can grow in salty sea), brackish (lagoons) and fresh (lakes) water. Moreover, microalgae have high photosynthetic efficiency using solar energy, water and carbon dioxide to produce higher quantities of biomass than other feedstocks. In the present research work, two indigenous fresh water (ChlorF1, ChlorF2) and two marine (ChlorM1, ChlorM2) Chlorophyte strains have been cultivated successfully under laboratory conditions using commercial fertilizer (Nutrileaf 30-10-10, initial concentration=70 g/m3) as nutrient source. The produced biodiesel from the microalgae biomass achieved a range of 2.2 - 10.6% total lipid content and an unsaturated FAME content between 48 mol% and 59 mol%. The iodine value, the cetane number, the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and the oxidative stability of the ultimate biodiesels were determined, based on the compositions of the four (4) microalgae strains and compared with the specifications in the EU and US standards, EN 14214 and ASTM D6751 respectively

New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (April 2015)

The Collective Article ‘New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records’ of the Mediterranean Marine Science journal offers the means to publish biodiversity records in the Mediterranean Sea. The current article is divided in two parts, for records of native and alien species respectively. The new records of native fish species include: the slender sunfish Ranzania laevis and the scalloped ribbonfish Zu cristatus in Calabria; the Azores rockling Gaidropsarus granti in Calabria and Sicily; the agujon needlefish Tylosu¬rus acus imperialis in the Northern Aegean; and the amphibious behaviour of Gouania willdenowi in Southern Turkey. As regards molluscs, the interesting findings include Ischnochiton usticensis in Calabria and Thordisa filix in the bay of Piran (Slovenia). The stomatopod Parasquilla ferussaci was collected from Lesvos island (Greece); the isopod Anilocra frontalis was observed parasit¬izing the alien Pteragogus trispilus in the Rhodes area. The asteroid Tethyaster subinermis and the butterfly ray Gymnura altavela were reported from several localities in the Greek Ionian and Aegean Seas.The new records of alien species include: the antenna codlet Bregmaceros atlanticus in Saronikos Gulf; three new fish records and two decapods from Egypt; the establishment of the two spot cardinal fish Cheilodipterus novemstriatus and the first record of the marble shrimp Saron marmoratus in semi-dark caves along the Lebanese coastline; the finding of Lagocephalus sceleratus, Sargocentron rubrum, Fistularia commersonii and Stephanolepis diaspros around Lipsi island (Aegean Sea, Greece); the decapod Penaeus Hathor in Aegean waters; the decapod Penaeus aztecus and the nudibranch Melibe viridis in the Dodecanese islands; the finding of Pinctada imbricata radiate in the Mar Grande of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy) and the Maliakos Gulf (Greece)

A framework for risk analysis of the shellfish aquaculture: The case of the Mediterranean mussel farming in Greece

Mediterranean mussel farming in Greece developed considerably during the last 40 years reaching a gross commodity product up to the limits of the country's production capacity (35–40,000 tonnes/year). Despite the achievements in the sector's growth, little or no effort has been attributed yet to risk assessment and moreover to risk management of the activity. The present effort aims at developing a working framework for the shellfish aquaculture of Greece to be used as a tool by the sector's decision makers to advance strategies for risk elimination or avoidance. The work was based on a generic risk management standard tool, the Joint Australian and New Zealand Risk Management Standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 that has been adapted to the specific national characteristics of all levels of the mussel farming business -activities and the industry function. The framework supported by data sets regarding development, production, profits and losses, retrieved by surveys through distributed questionnaires or interviews during site-visits, as well as by collecting data from national and international authorities. Data input covered technology, farm size, farmer risk-attitude, risk-management strategies, risk-perceptions and socioeconomic profiles. Major risks and risk management options were identified providing aid for remediation risk policies to the stakeholders. © 2021 Shanghai Ocean University

Managing the Risks of the Greek Crisis in Aquaculture: A SWOT Analysis of the Mediterranean Mussel Farming

A SWOT analysis of the mussel aquaculture based on the current vision for national targets of the Greek economy (2012-2020) give to the industry a future direction. The flexible and independent structure of the mussel farming (local natural seed collection, no additional food expenses, flexible labour, mostly locally constructed equipment) as well as the export orientation of the final product gives a competitive advantage in comparison to other aquaculture or primary production Greek industries. Despite that, the sector needs restructuring, mainly to achieve the benefits of the economies of scale. Organizing local production and marketing activities into larger schemes would decrease production costs and add some value to the final product

Semi-quantitative risk assessment of Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis L.) harvesting bans due to harmful algal bloom (HAB) incidents in Greece

The risk ranking of the severity and the consequences of site closures due to Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) incidents was estimated through the development of a numerical risk matrix for the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis L. commercial exploitation, in Greece. Results showed that site closures due to HABs that lasted more than 4 to 6 weeks during the harvest season (spring to late summer) could be catastrophic. © 2020, © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Optimisation of T-ISO biomass production rich in essential fatty acids: 2. Effect of different light regimes on the production of fatty acids

It is well documented that culture conditions affect the fatty acid content of microalgae. We report in this study the fatty acid profiles and n - 3 HUFA productivity of T-ISO, a popular haptophyte in the aquaculture industry, cultured under three photoperiods (24:0, 16:08 and 12:12 h L:D) combined with three photon flux densities (PFD: 120, 220 and 460 µmol photon m-2 s-1), at 25 °C. Sampling took place in both the exponential and post-exponential (light-limited) phase. In general, fatty acid proportions were effected by a strong interaction of L:D× PFD resulting in metabolic changes difficult to be modelled. At the 12:12 and 24:0 h L:D the fatty acid pattern can be summarised as PUFA>SAFA>MUFA, while at 16:08 h L:D as SAFA>PUFA>MUFA reflecting a differential acclimation of the strain under light-dark cycles. At the 12:12 h L:D the PUFA content of biomass was significantly higher than at the other photocycles. PUFA content differences were located in the n - 3 fraction with the n - 6 content being rather constant. The n - 3/n - 6 and DHA/EPA ratios under 24:0 h or 12:12 h L:D were optimal according to the literature for fish and shellfish nutrition requirements. In contrast, the 16:08 h L:D regimes, especially at low PFD, produced inadequate ratios. The production of n - 3 HUFA in T-ISO is essentially influenced by the total photon flux available per day in a similar manner with growth. The capacity of the strain for storing lipid is limited under the conditions tested; consequently, the fatty acid content follows the biomass yield and productivity pattern. Hence, in the context of aquaculture a light regime of 12:12 h L:D and a PFD within the photolimitation-photoinhibition range offers advantages for the culture of T-ISO. If the high investment could be substantiated, continuous cultures under 24:0 h L:D at the same PFD range could serve as an optimisation basis using advanced photobioreactors

Empirical approach to risk management strategies of Mediterranean mussel farmers in Greece

Risk perception and risk responses of Greek mussel farmers are important for understanding their risk behavior and the likely success of different risk mitigation strategies. This allows policy makers and actuarial companies to decide what risk management products to offer to address specific types of risks. Results from an empirical survey showed that ex-farm prices and health/disability status of farmers are perceived as the most important sources of risk. Risk management decisions were strongly influenced by the attitudes of mussel farmers rather than their socioeconomic status or perception of risk sources. Financial reserves and an alternative source of stable income are both preferred by mussel farmers as risk management strategies, while optimizing farm management to produce at the lowest possible cost is commonly practiced to eliminate losses. Farmers recommend that for certain types of risks that lead to total losses, e.g. anoxia, tsunamis, harmful algal blooms (HABs), insurance contracts should be provided by the public sector, as in similar situations in agriculture. For other needs, customized insurance contracts should be provided by the actuarial market. © 2021 John A. Theodorou et al., published by Sciendo