The Living Concrete Experiment: Cultivation of Photosynthetically Active Microalgal on Concrete Finish Blocks

Julia Nerantzia Tzortzi (), Rola A. Hasbini (), Matteo Ballottari and Francesco Bellamoli
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Julia Nerantzia Tzortzi: Department of Architecture, Built Environment & Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Rola A. Hasbini: Department of Architecture, Built Environment & Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Matteo Ballottari: Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
Francesco Bellamoli: Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Climate change is a global critical issue. High carbon dioxide emissions and concentrations are important factors. In the construction field, concrete contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, a pioneering team of researchers has developed a new “living concrete” construction finish material capable of scrubbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The material consists of ASTM (ASTM is the acronym for American Society for Testing Materials)-certified concrete block(s) with Chlorella vulgaris cultivated on the surface. Chlorella vulgaris is a common micro-algae with photosynthetic activity; these species require water, nutrients, light, and carbon dioxide to live while releasing oxygen in return. The “living concrete” block was developed in dedicated laboratories; its photosynthetic activity was quantified. Proposed as an external application assembly to a new or an existing building envelope—up to 3 m high, i.e., anthropogenic street-level emissions, or installed on roof(s) in horizontal mode—this concrete/biological composite material reverses carbon dioxide emissions and may present itself as a valid solution for climate change issues in urban moderate climates.

Keywords: micro-algae; Chlorella vulgaris; concrete block; living concrete; urban moderate climate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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