Publication: Microalgas y elementos químicos clave en la industria energética : I. El caso del litio : captura y fraccionamiento. II. Diversidad y adaptación exitosa : el caso del uranio
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2022-09-29
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Universidad Complutense de Madrid
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Abstract
La actividad humana ha creado disrupciones en los sistemas terrestres. Hay una gran pérdida de biodiversidad, acidificación de masas de agua, eutrofización y calentamiento global. Los cambios son tales que se ha acuñado el término “Antropoceno” para aludir al tiempo geológico actual. El futuro es incierto, pero se prevé que muchos ecosistemas se vean afectados. Los productores primarios son la base de los ecosistemas. Dentro de los productores primarios destacan las microalgas, los microorganismos fotosintetizadores, por su ubicuidad, diversidad e importancia ecológica. Además, suponen una gran ayuda a la hora de intentar paliar los efectos del calentamiento global al ser capturadores de dióxido de carbono. Desde la Revolución Industrial, la Humanidad ha emitido a la atmósfera cantidades ingentes de carbono, provocado por la quema de combustibles fósiles para obtener energía, y que ha originado desequilibrios que están desembocando en el calentamiento global. En la actualidad, se está apostando por la eliminación de los combustibles fósiles en la generación eléctrica y la movilidad, lo que no obstante lleva aparejado un incremento en la utilización de ciertos elementos químicos, como el uranio y el litio. Estos elementos cuentan a su vez con problemas medioambientales. El uranio es necesario para la energía nuclear de fisión, una fuente de energía eficiente y de bajas emisiones de CO2. Pero la minería y el procesamiento del uranio producen largas masas de agua ácida tóxica, creando ambientes extremos al aire libre. El litio es un elemento clave en la fabricación de baterías, pero también en el desarrollo de la energía nuclear de fusión. Sin embargo, serán necesarias nuevas formas de obtener y reciclar el litio para poder responder a la demanda con el menor perjuicio a los ecosistemas. A su vez, también se requieren nuevos métodos de enriquecimiento isotópico que hagan el proceso de obtención del isótopo 6Li más eficiente y sostenible, donde las microalgas podrían tener un papel protagonista dada su amplia utilidad biotecnológica...
Human activities have created disruptions in terrestrial systems. There is a great loss in biodiversity, water bodies acidification, eutrophication and global warming. The changes are such that the term “Anthropocene” was coined to refer to the current geological time. The future is unclear, but it is predicted that many ecosystems will be affected. Primary producers are the foundation of ecosystems. Within primary producers, microalgae - photosynthesizing microorganisms -, are relevant due to their ubiquity, diversity and ecological importance. Furthermore, with respect to climate change they are a great help since microalgae capture carbon dioxide while growing. Since the Industrial Revolution, humankind has emitted to the atmosphere massive amounts of carbon caused by the fossil fuel combustion to obtain energy, provoking an imbalance that results in global warming. At present, power generation and mobility are directed towards carbon-free sources. However, this means an increase in the utilization of certain chemical elements such as uranium and lithium. These elements have their own environmental concerns. Uranium is needed for nuclear fission energy, an efficient and low-carbon energy source. However, mining and uranium processing create great bodies of toxic acid water, causing extreme environments in the open air. Lithium is a key element in the manufacturing of batteries, but also in the nuclear fusion energy development. Nevertheless, new ways of obtaining and recycling lithium will be needed to respond to the demand with the least possible environmental damage. At the same time, new isotopic enrichment methods are required to make the process of 6Li isotope obtainment more efficient and sustainable, where microalgae might have an important role given their broad biotechnological usefulness...
Human activities have created disruptions in terrestrial systems. There is a great loss in biodiversity, water bodies acidification, eutrophication and global warming. The changes are such that the term “Anthropocene” was coined to refer to the current geological time. The future is unclear, but it is predicted that many ecosystems will be affected. Primary producers are the foundation of ecosystems. Within primary producers, microalgae - photosynthesizing microorganisms -, are relevant due to their ubiquity, diversity and ecological importance. Furthermore, with respect to climate change they are a great help since microalgae capture carbon dioxide while growing. Since the Industrial Revolution, humankind has emitted to the atmosphere massive amounts of carbon caused by the fossil fuel combustion to obtain energy, provoking an imbalance that results in global warming. At present, power generation and mobility are directed towards carbon-free sources. However, this means an increase in the utilization of certain chemical elements such as uranium and lithium. These elements have their own environmental concerns. Uranium is needed for nuclear fission energy, an efficient and low-carbon energy source. However, mining and uranium processing create great bodies of toxic acid water, causing extreme environments in the open air. Lithium is a key element in the manufacturing of batteries, but also in the nuclear fusion energy development. Nevertheless, new ways of obtaining and recycling lithium will be needed to respond to the demand with the least possible environmental damage. At the same time, new isotopic enrichment methods are required to make the process of 6Li isotope obtainment more efficient and sustainable, where microalgae might have an important role given their broad biotechnological usefulness...
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Tesis inédita de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Veterinaria, leída el 20-06-2022