Sargassum spp: The gold algae

Sustainably transforming the Caribbean-wide Sargassum spp. crisis into social, environmental and industrial solutions and opportunities.

Sargasso is the common name for the macroalga Sargasum spp., a member of the Phaeophyceae (brown algae) class. The excessive proliferation of this macroalgae in recent decades, as a result of various factors, such as increased ocean temperature, toxic discharges, or changes in water column dynamics, is creating one of the biggest ecological disasters of this decade. This negative impact is most noticeable along the Caribbean coasts. Massive arrivals are causing the extinction of coastal species, tourism issues, and have even been linked to certain pathologies in people living in areas affected by seaweed putrefaction. Nowadays thousands of tons of sargasso are suffocating the Caribbean coasts.

The severity of the marine environment pollution brought on by industrial emissions, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that seep into groundwater, and the rise in environmental exploitation, have exacerbated climate change in recent decades. Sargassum spp. blooms have increased because of the imbalances this has brought about in the dynamics of ocean ecosystems. Sargasso collection in the ocean is imperative to avoid it from making landfall or accumulation, time when it creates all the known issues.

Most Caribbean countries where sargasso arrives collect it carelessly and dump it in landfills, where it rots and pollutes the soil and groundwater. Another major issue is that sargasso invasions are rapidly increasing and spreading along all of America's coasts, due to new Sargassum spp. growing points appearing in the Atlantic Ocean. And it is expected that this situation will worsen in the coming years.

The destruction of both, the economy and the ecosystem, occurs where sargasso arrives and accumulates. Due to the impossibility and danger of using the beaches when sargasso is present, hotel chains report losses of more than 50%, causing a significant economic loss in these communities, whose primary economic contribution is tourism. However, it does not only have an economic impact in the tourism area; fishermen are unable to fish because their boats cannot navigate the mountains formed by this macroalgae.

Environmentally and sanitarily, it is causing the appearance of anoxic zones and making the environment uninhabitable for many species, studies in Mexico determined that sargasso had killed more than 78 different marine species. And the gases that it releases when it is not treated correctly (methane, hydrogen sulfide, etc.) are directly related to the increase in respiratory diseases in the habitants who live in contact with this problem. A Sargassum spp. monitoring platform has even been developed to detect and track the presence of this macroalgae. Furthermore, on this page, it’s possible to see how the problem has worsened in recent years (Sargassum Monitoring – Official Maps & News)

In addition, as previously stated, we face a serious problem with inorganic fertilizers and the severe pollution they produce. Coupled with the massive price increase in the last year (doubling the cost). What generates the urgent need to find substitutes for these compounds. However, both problems have a common solution, which is what is proposed and envisioned to be accomplished with this project.

In short, the solution is to transform Sargassum spp. waste/residues into products of interest and commercial value. Being biostimulants (as substitutes for synthetic fertilizers) the first product investigated in the project's initial stage.

To accomplish this, first, a sargasso pre-treatment protocol has been developed to eliminate accumulated heavy metals, thereby removing one of the first barriers to sargasso valorization.

The second step is to investigate and optimize sustainable extraction methods on a laboratory scale, to create extracts with active properties. The chosen technique combines maceration with non-polluting solvents where temperature, extraction ratio and extraction time changes. It is also intended to investigate the use of enzyme-assisted extraction and ultrasound extraction, to increase the yield, reduce the time and the solvents quantities. All these laboratory processes will be carried out to be environmentally and economically viable when scaled up to an industrial level.

We will focus on eliciting and biostimulant activities in the first year of the project, because crops are one of the most affected by climate change, and chemical fertilizers are one of the causes of the climate change. Is intended to test whether the product can make crops grow in inhospitable environments such as deserts. As a result, in addition to replacing chemical fertilizers, we would be providing a product that restores cultivating areas that are currently uncultivated.

The same procedure would be followed to continue researching all the industrial applications derived from sargasso (plastics, cosmetics, food, etc). This project aims to bring together the academic and industrial fields, so both can benefit and forge a long-term partnership. We want to establish a new industry in the Dominican Republic based on the principles of the blue bioeconomy, which generates value for the ecosystems and the population, solves the sargasso problematic and has a scientific foundation to ensure quality.

The Dominican Republic's traditional coastal population is one of the most vulnerable in the country. They rely heavily on tourism and traditional fishing, have limited access to education, and are highly dependent on the quality of their environment. The arrival of the sargassum has posed an even bigger threat to this population group. It has destroyed jobs, harmed fishing, and increased health risks.

Sargassum spp. collection is imperative because its accumulation on the coasts is no longer sustainable, both ecologically and socially. However, its transformation is also required, because there is so much material that if it is not handled properly, it can cause a bigger problem. We prevent this mismanagement from occurring with the system we established in the first place. Second, we create stable jobs for people from the coastal communities that are affected by this problem. Students and academic/research centers benefit from working together on a project designed for industrial scale, which allows young students to gain field experience. Finally, focusing on the first expected product (biostimulant), farmers and growers will be able to use it to reduce crop production costs (another major issue nowadays) while increasing resistance, and reduce spills and pollution caused by synthetic fertilizers. Furthermore, if the expected laboratory tests are confirmed, it may be possible to convert land that is currently uncultivable into arable land using this compound.

The company that is funding and supporting this project (SOS Carbon) is already established in the Dominican Republic (also with an international presence), has obtained specific environmental permits, and is familiar with both the operational area and the sargasso. Furthermore, the other collaborating entities (universities, research centers, private companies, etc.) are all specialized in the various fields related with the project. With this, we ensure that all necessary and adequate information, as well as materials and methods, are always available. Furthermore, all these entities are based in the Dominican Republic. The Catholic University of Valencia (Spain) is the only institution outside of the Dominican Republic, but it was chosen to give the project an international perspective and to facilitate its awareness and presence in other countries. It was also chosen because Europe is the largest importer of algae and algae-derived products, as well as one of the most active players in this field, due to the potential for sustainable development and future industries.

Regarding my background, I have a bachelor's degree in oceanography (marine sciences) and two master's degrees in blue biotechnology. Moreover, I am currently pursuing a Phd in biotechnology and biomedicine, with an industrial mention as part of the idea of combining academic and industrial fields. I was also awarded a scholarship to attend a waste management and circular economy training course, in order to have the best knowledge for sustainable scaling-up and be able to apply it on the industrial transformation of Sargassum spp.

My passion has always been science, and when I started to be more involved in it, I became aware of the communication gap that existed between science and industry. Furthermore, I have always been passionate about marine sciences and everything the ocean can contribute to us and what we can contribute to the ocean, which is why I have dedicated all of my training to specializing in this field. During my career, I had the opportunity to work on a project to obtain antibiotics from algae, where I saw the tremendous potential of these organisms, and later during my master's degree, I worked on a project to valorizate aquaculture remains for cosmetic uses. Following this, I saw an opportunity to combine both fields, and that nature already provides us with everything we seek.

When I first learned about the principles of the blue bioeconomy, I realized that if we can apply them, we can create a very significant change for the environment and society. Which is why I am currently putting all of my efforts into furthering my education in this field and increasing my knowledge and value on it.

Additionally, this project is notable not only for the environmental innovation it presents, but also for its goal of establishing an industry in a developing country. We will contribute to its growth, create stable jobs, develop knowledge and empowerment of the affected and vulnerable populations, and fosters collaboration among entities. The entire project will be carried out in the Dominican Republic, so that the country that suffers from the problem will benefit from it.

Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the severity of the problem, particularly for tourism and the coastal population. Hotel chains and tourist groups have declared losses of more than 50% due to Sargassum spp. accumulations, implying that a large portion of the population that relies on tourism will lose its source of income. Likewise, fishermen are unable to fish because boats cannot cross the sargassum mountains. There have also been studies in other areas of the Caribbean that show a significant increase in respiratory diseases where there is rotting sargassum.

Additionally, it is intended that during this project, the number of environmental and social studies be increased, in order to establish in detail all of the associated problems, as well as to create knowledge and educate the population on the subject.

We don't just want to solve an environmental problem; we want to transform it into opportunities for all stakeholders by building an entire value chain around it.

The proposed process valorizes a residue, specifically Sargassum spp, the seaweed that has been arriving to the Caribbean Coast, killing species, polluting the environment and destroying the tourism sector. As a result, not only is a natural residue that is causing problems given an outlet, but it is also avoided that the problem is transferred to another location after its collection; additionally, the raw material is used in accordance with the ideals of the blue and circular bioeconomy. Therefore, the current trend of having to create everything from scratch is abandoned, and a natural material that already exists and is waste is used to create products with high added value. Furthermore, when they return to the environment, they will not harm him.

The first thing to note about this solution is that it is environmentally sustainable, which means that in addition to producing beneficial products for industries, and thus for humans, it does not harm the environment. Furthermore, the compounds obtained are intended to replace many of the chemical components that are currently some of the main causes of climate change, ecosystem deregulation, and even associated with pathologies and human diseases, in addition to being sustainable during the production process (fertilizers, spf, cosmetics ingredients, etc).

This solution also focuses on integrating the scientific-academic and industrial fields. Establishing from the start laboratory protocols for scaling-up and ensuring process sustainability and maximum optimization.  Thanks to this, it is ensured that the products obtained have the quality and the expected benefits, due to the research bases behind.

By integrating the academic and industrial communities, we help students obtain better training and job opportunities while also promoting inter-institutional cooperation. Long term, it is intended to significantly replace toxic products (fertilizers, pesticides, cosmetic chemicals, and so on), resulting in a butterfly effect throughout the ecosystem (less toxic discharges, reduction of health problems, decrease in species mortality, etc.)

The expected impacts can be divided into two categories: Social and Environmental.

Socially, the project is already employing people from vulnerable communities and will create more stable jobs in this groups, as all scaling-up process involves people from the communities where the invasive seaweed is collected. Furthermore, as part of the industrial benefit, it has an academic focus, with the goal of increasing agreements with educational institutions and facilitating young students' access to the processes. So that they can, through empowerment, internships and formal employment, gain experience and understanding on how to deal and solve this crisis.

Moreover, the environmental positive impact will be significant in both the climate adaptation and mitigation. In addition to removing the Sargassum spp. from the coasts, which will allow the affected natural environment to stop being harmed and therefore progressively recover, the residue will be processed and managed. So that it does not cause further problems (currently much of the sargasso that is collected in the Caribbean is taken to landfills where it contaminates the soil). Not only will these waste collection and management processes be beneficial for the environment, but biostimulants are one of the key products that this processing focuses on during the first year of the project. The goal of this first phase of the project's research is to create a biostimulant that can replace the fertilizers that are currently used in the Dominican Republic, and eventually replace them globally.

Fertilizers are one of the major causes of marine pollution, and one of the most difficult problems to solve; because they are used worldwide and are required for one of the most basic industries on which humans rely: agriculture. However, sargasso extracts can be a great substitute for these, as the various metabolites and compounds extracted from this macroalga are expected to give plants greater resilience against unfavorable temperatures, pests and disease.

Sargassum spp. has been classified as an environmental crisis in the Caribbean region due to the problems it causes to the ocean and land ecosystems, communities, and tourism. The problem is transferred to the land and soil due to the presence of heavy metals in its composition (mostly arsenic). This is one of the most significant issues that arises when it is intended to be used and transformed. First, we are investigating a pretreatment that will allow the concentration of heavy metals in sargasso to be reduced to normal levels in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

As a second step, a protocol has been created that will be confirmed by laboratory tests. An optimized compound extraction process has been developed to reduce the volume of solvent required and to use a closed cycle. As a result, everything that is used is transformed into a commercial product, and no waste is produced in the process (everything is used). All of this will be investigated in the first phase of the laboratory using industrial scaling-up as the central axis. To be able to establish the best options from the start, as well as those that are ecologically and environmentally sustainable.

The European Union devotes an entire chapter to Sargassum spp. in its report on the blue bioeconomy for 2022, both to the problem it poses and to the challenges of its use (eb889d94-74a6-2c15-e136-4d2204118c6a (eumofa.eu)). According to this plan, the main problems with taking advantage of and valuing sargassum today are: the inability to ensure a supply and sustainability in collection, a lack of information on how environmental changes affect sargasso and its composition, and uncertainty in the chemical composition of sargassum due to a lack of comprehensive characterization and quantification studies. The proposed project addresses all these concerns and provides solutions so that sargasso can be used and exploited in a sustainable and safe way. Furthermore, a new industry is being created in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. Which generates revenue and promotes economic development, by primarily assisting vulnerable coastal communities. The entire project is based on blue biotechnology and blue bioeconomy principles.

Currently serves:  This solution has already managed to create a PhD position with an industrial mention and a collaboration of an international group of universities. In addition, protocols are already being established for the implementation of student internships and the creation of scientific-industrial dissemination days.

It is predicted that the project will have the first year a direct benefit for:

Students: It is expected that at least 10-20 students will be involved in the research, management, and scaling-up processes.

Workers: In addition to the workers already employed in the collection of the seaweed in the ocean, it is estimated that 15-30 people could be employed in the biostimulant processing plant (the first compound of interest to be produced), and this number will grow as the plant expands the production.

Farmers: There are 319,376 registered agricultural production units in the Dominican Republic, all of which could benefit from the product generated. Because it would lower costs, increase crop survival, and eliminate the environmental issues associated with current fertilizers. Furthermore, if the product is exported, the number of beneficiaries will skyrocket.

Consumers/Population: Sustainable and responsible agricultural crop production has a direct impact on the population. Improved crops are obtained at more affordable prices, and, most importantly, the reduction in environmental impact improves the quality of life in the communities involved.

Tourism sector: by having a blue-to-land circular solution, the costs associated to sargassum management and tourism loss from the sargassum consequences could be lowered, making the chain more sustainable and appealing to scale Caribbean-wide. More than 27 million tourists arrive to the Caribbean each year. The Caribbean heavily relies on tourism with some countries having a dependency on it GDP on of up to 70%.

These would benefit only during the first year and from the production of biostimulants. However, once the processes and production are in place, it will be possible to continue researching new applications and commercial products. Increasing the number of students, communities, workers, and other beneficiaries.

The SOS Carbon team (the one that supports this project) has been working in these potential barriers since 2018 when the organization started as an R&D project in the Mechanical Engineering Department, paving the way into my area of focus for the transformation of the invasive seaweed waste.  Thanks to this nowadays in the Technique area, we have many agreements with institutions that can supply us with all the research and processing materials we require. Applications for industrial use of the organic biostimulant have already begun legally, and environmental certificates have been obtained (which are intended to be extended once the product is developed). Culturally, because this process is both industrial and academic, detailed information and knowledge can be provided to both the local farmers and large agricultural corporates, allowing all benefits to be seen and understood. In terms of the market, we are already in discussions with merchants and buyers who have expressed interest in the future product. Due to being cost-effective and presenting superior properties to current ones, combined with the environmental benefit, generates people's interest.

So, the only issue that could arise is economic, as an initial investment is required to begin development. However, with the income from Sargassum spp. collection services to the tourism sector and external funding by agreements and collaborations, it is expected that this will be able to cover the initial expenses until the product begins to be marketed and thus the economic flow stabilizes. 

We have signed agreements with various collaborators who are interested in joining the ecosystem of organizations we lead to work in the development and commercialization of the biostimualnt. Universities such as La Universidad Catolica de Valencia (UCV-Spain), La Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE-Dominican Republic), El Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo (INTEC-Dominican Republic), La Universidad Federico Henríquez y Carvajal (UFHEC-Dominican Republic), as well as public institutions such as the Dominican Customs Laboratory (DGA) and the Biotechnological Research Institute (IBII), among other regional groups. We also have the Ministry of Environment's support, because it is a long-term project that addresses one of the Dominican Republic's most serious environmental issues. Some private enterprises and entities are also collaborating or in process to stablish the collaboration, such as hotels, tourism groups, fertilizer distributors, farmers, etc.

All of these entities contribute to the project we lead in numerous ways, such as by providing students for internship and collaboration, various services, equipment and laboratory space, financial support, land for the product test, etc.

Key partners: SOS Carbon is the primary supplier as it collects the sargasso in the ocean, while fresh and in large quantities through cost-effective technology. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, there are various collaborations in this process for the collection and environmental protection processes (hotel chains, tourist groups, etc.) as well as for the research and development processes (UNIBE, INTEC, UCV, Customs Laboratory, etc.). And other partners with whom we are currently negotiating collaboration agreements (companies dedicated to the sale and testing of fertilizers, farmers, etc.)

Key Activities: The first step will be to conduct laboratory studies and tests to optimize the process and ensure proper industrial scaling. Different extraction methods and conditions will be tested, and the extracts and Sargassum spp. will be characterized and quantified. Field tests will begin once the optimal, economically and environmentally viable scaling extraction method has been determined. Biostimulant research will be prioritized, as chemical fertilizers are one of the most significant sources of contamination today and must be replaced as soon as possible. Various factors, such as germination speed, crop growth, and the fruits obtained, will be studied in these field tests to observe possible changes in composition due to the use of biostimulant. Furthermore, the elicitor properties of the obtained extract will be examined, to see if it makes the crops more resistant to temperature changes, unfavorable substrates, a lack of water, etc.

Value Propositions: A waste stream is managed, and a valuable product is created. The product's costs are reduced by using an already existing material that is also a waste. It is possible to obtain an ecological and environmentally friendly product that can replace the toxic chemicals currently on the market. A product with properties that do not currently exist on the market is created. Laboratory tests and analyses are also performed to provide a detailed breakdown of the product's composition and to ensure its environmental quality.

Customer Relationships: The first final product (biostimulant) will be sold to both large and small farmers, who will be able to purchase it directly or through distribution partners with whom we are already forming relationships. Customers will increase to the entire population once the industrial process is established, and the products derived from sargasso grow (food, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, etc.). Again, the purchase can be made directly or through distribution partners.

Customer Segments: The first product is targeted directly at farmers and people involved in primary production, and it will benefit all consumers who benefit from this production. By establishing contacts with existing distributors in the fertilizer market, these will become direct customers, making it easier for the product to be distributed more widely.

Key Resources: The primary resource is Sargassum spp., which SOS Carbon is able and ready to supply in enough quantities, to ensure stable production and meet the demand. There are also facilities and laboratory equipment, which are currently covered by the various partnerships with which we collaborate. Finally, once this initial phase of research is completed, a plot of land and a factory will be required to establish industrial production. The academic field is another important resource. Because this project is intended for collaboration with academic institutions, channels of scientific dissemination such as conferences, symposiums, and other scientific pathways will be used to inform about both, the sargasso problem and the valuable resources obtained from its transformation.

Channels: The relationships we are building with local fertilizer companies will allow us to initially facilitate distribution. Furthermore, the company has previously exported sargasso both fresh and dried (a first processing step) to other countries, so it has established export channels that could be used to export the product. Once again, the academic field will provide more exposure to the product and will be able to scientifically demonstrate all of its benefits, serving as a showcase for interested buyers.

Cost Structure: The most expensive part will be the initial investment required to establish the production plant at an industrial level, as well as the costs of the first productions as the systems reach a sustainable process through the sale of the product.

Revenue Streams: Once the production plant is established and the first products are sold, income from these sales will be generated, allowing the initial investment to be repaid. Moreover, this will allow to continuing researching new products, to put them into production and create more value chains.

The payment method will differ depending on whether the product is exported, sold to a distributor, or sold directly to the customer. It is also expected that once the product is established in the market, and its benefits plus the academic research process are recognized, investors will be interested in collaborating to expand the production fields.

In addition to maintaining the revenue produced by the sanitation services provided to the tourist chains

As previously stated, the project already has various entities that support and finance it, in addition to the Sargassum spp. harvesting providing a base financial benefit. When the research and development and scaling-up phases are completed, the project will begin to receive revenue from product sales (initially biostimulant), allowing it to become economically self-sufficient. As a bonus, once the biostimulant has been developed, and there is a base stability, it is intended to continue with laboratory protocols and collaborations to continue with the development of more products that, once on the market, will generate more income. The project is designed to be fully solvent once established and to evolve and grow as stages are completed.