Scientists Pioneer Sustainable Carbon Capture From Shrimp Waste
janrinok writes:
https://phys.org/news/2025-08-scientists-sustainable-carbon-capture-shrimp.html
Researchers at the University of Sharjah have developed an innovative method to transform shrimp waste, which is typically discarded in large quantities by the seafood industry, into a valuable carbon product capable of capturing carbon dioxide (CO).
This breakthrough offers a sustainable solution to both waste management and climate change mitigation.
Led by Dr. Haif Al-Jomard, the team has introduced a novel waste-to-carbon technology that utilizes shrimp shells, heads, and intestinal tracts to produce activated carbon.
This material demonstrates excellent CO adsorption capabilities, positioning it as a promising candidate for industrial carbon capture applications, adds Dr. Al-Jomard.
"Our study turns shrimp waste into a high-performance carbon product. This not only addresses the environmental challenges posed by seafood waste but also contributes to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change mitigation."
Published in the journal Nanoscale, the research outlines a process involving pyrolysis of shrimp waste to produce biochar, followed by acid treatment, chemical activation and ball milling. The resulting activated carbon exhibits strong CO capture performance and long-term stability across multiple adsorption-desorption cycles.
Shrimp, lobster, and crab shell processing generates up to 8 million tons of waste annually, much of which is discarded. The study utilized white shrimp waste-specifically shells and heads-sourced from Souq Al Jubail in Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, with the shrimp originally harvested in Oman. The waste was meticulously cleaned and air-dried before processing.
Professor Chaouki Ghenai, co-author and expert in Sustainable and Renewable Energy at the University of Sharjah, emphasized the economic and environmental benefits of the method. "This approach offers a cost-effective route to producing activated carbon, turning a problematic waste stream into a high-performance, efficient, and environmentally friendly product with wide-ranging applications."
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