Algae-Based Systems for Indoor Air Purification: Evaluating Their Effectiveness In Reducing Indoor Pollutants algae-based-systems-for-indoor-air-purification-evaluating-their-effectiveness-in-reducing-indoor-pollutants Volume 2, Issue 1 ARTICLES 2025 1 Algae-based systems have emerged as innovative solutions for improving indoor air quality in urban environments. Utilizing photosynthesis, microalgae absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) and convert it into oxygen, while also reducing concentrations of harmful pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM). When integrated into building façades or indoor air filtration systems through photobioreactor (PBR) modules, these systems not only purify indoor air but also enhance architectural sustainability.

Recent studies have shown that algae-based systems can significantly lower indoor CO₂ levels, with experimental setups achieving reductions of approximately 55% under controlled conditions. In addition to their environmental benefits, these systems may also support improved respiratory health. However, despite encouraging results from laboratory and pilot-scale studies, several challenges remain—particularly in terms of scalability, performance consistency under fluctuating light and airflow conditions, and overall economic viability in real-world applications.

This paper assesses the current effectiveness of algae-based indoor air purification systems by synthesizing empirical findings and theoretical perspectives. It outlines both the benefits and limitations of these technologies, evaluates their potential within sustainable building design, and offers recommendations for future research aimed at optimizing system performance and integration.

]]> Ainsworth, J. (2021, July 1). Can algae purify air? AlgenAir. https://algenair.com/blogs/news/can-algae-purify-air

Al Horr, Y., Arif, M., Kaushik, A., Mazroei, A., Katafygiotou, M., & Elsarrag, E. (2016). Occupant productivity and office indoor environment quality: A review of the literature. Building and Environment, 105, 369–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.06.001

Bender, A., Kucukvar, M., & Tatari, O. (2018). Cost and benefit analysis of implementing photobioreactor system for self-sustainable electricity production from algae. Energy Reports, 4, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2017.11.001

Dalay, L., & Aytaç, G. (2024). Improvement of indoor air quality through CO₂-capturing algae-integrated architecture [Conference paper]. The 10th World Congress on New Technologies (NewTech’24), Barcelona, Spain. https://doi.org/10.11159/icepr24.127

George, A. S. (2023). Liquifying urban lungs: Assessing the air purification potential of photobioreactor “liquid trees” in highly polluted cities. Partners Universal Innovative Research Publication, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10111964

Gonzalez-Martin, J., Kraakman, N. J. R., Pérez, C., Lebrero, R., & Muñoz, R. (2021). A state-of-the-art review on indoor air pollution and strategies for indoor air pollution control. Chemosphere, 262, 128376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.128376

Han, M., Park, J., Kim, I., & Yi, H. (2023). A microalgae photobioreactor system for indoor air remediation: Empirical examination of the CO₂ absorption performance of Spirulina maxima in a NaHCO₃-reduced medium. Applied Sciences, 13(24), 12991. https://doi.org/10.3390/app132412991

Irga, P. J., Tropy, F. R., & Burchett, M. D. (2013). Can hydroculture be used to enhance the performance of indoor plants for the removal of air pollutants? Atmospheric Environment, 77, 267–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.02.015

Liu, G., Xiao, M., Zhang, X., Gal, C., Chen, X., Liu, L., Pan, S., Wu, J., Tang, L., & Clements-Croome, D. (2017). A review of air filtration technologies for sustainable and healthy building ventilation. Sustainable Cities and Society, 32, 375–396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2017.04.011

Lu, Q., Ji, C., Yan, Y., Xiao, Y., Li, J., Leng, L., & Zhou, W. (2018). Application of a novel microalgae-film based air purifier to improve air quality through oxygen production and fine particulates removal. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 93(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.5852

Maltsev, Y., Maltseva, K., Kulikovskiy, M., & Maltseva, S. (2021). Influence of light conditions on microalgae growth and content of lipids, carotenoids, and fatty acid composition. Biology, 10(10), 1060. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10101060

Mata, T. M., Oliveira, G. M., Monteiro, H., Silva, G. V., Caetano, N. S., & Martins, A. A. (2021). Indoor air quality improvement using nature-based solutions: Design proposals to greener cities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8472. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168472

Mata, T. M., Felgueiras, F., Martins, A. A., Monteiro, H., Ferraz, M. P., Oliveira, G. M., Gabriel, M. F., & Silva, G. V. (2022). Indoor air quality in elderly centers: Pollutants emission and health effects. Environments, 9(7), 86. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9070086

Metsoviti, M. N., Papapolymerou, G., Karapanagiotidis, I. T., & Katsoulas, N. (2020). Effect of light intensity and quality on growth rate and composition of Chlorella vulgaris. Plants, 9(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9010031

Minh, T. T., Tien, N. H., Giang, L. V., Loc, H. H., Hien, V. T. D., & Tran, T. (2021). Green technologies for air pollution treatment by microalgae in tubular photobioreactor. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 926(1), 012098. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/926/1/012098

Novoveska, L., Nielsen, S. L., Eroldoğan, O. T., Haznedaroglu, B. Z., Rinkevich, B., Fazi, S., Robbens, J., Vasquez, M., & Einarsson, H. (2023). Overview and challenges of large-scale cultivation of photosynthetic microalgae and cyanobacteria. Marine Drugs, 21(8), 445. https://doi.org/10.3390/md21080445

Semang, S. S., & Razali, M. A. (2022). Indoor air quality performance in buildings – A review. Journal of Advanced Mechanical Engineering Applications, 3(1), 43–49. https://publisher.uthm.edu.my/ojs/index.php/jamea/article/view/11484

Talaei, M., & Prieto, A. (2024). A review on performance of sustainable microalgae photobioreactor façades technology: Exploring challenges and advantages. Architectural Science Review, 67(5), 387–414. https://doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2024.2305889

Uguz, S., Anderson, G., Yang, X., Simsek, E., Osabutey, A., Yilmaz, M., & Min, K. (2024). Photobioreactor systems for mitigating ammonia and carbon dioxide from a broiler house. Environmental Technology, 45(27), 5899–5911. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2024.2311082

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). The impact of indoor air quality on public health. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq

Vitaliano, S., Cascone, S., & D’Urso, P. R. (2024). Mitigating built environment air pollution by green systems: An in-depth review. Applied Sciences, 14(15), 6487. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14156487

World Health Organization. (2021). Global air quality guidelines: Particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228

]]> Indoor air quality; microalgae; photobioreactor; CO₂ reduction; sustainable architecture https://jba.ibupress.com/articles/algae-based-systems-for-indoor-air-purification-evaluating-their-effectiveness-in-reducing-indoor-pollutants