An overview of biological processes and their potential for CO^sub 2^ capture

The extensive amount of available information on global warming suggests that this issue has become prevalent worldwide. Majority of countries have issued laws and policies in response to this concern by requiring their industrial sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as CO^sub 2^. Thus, introducing new and more effective treatment methods, such as biological techniques, is crucial to control the emission of greenhouse gases. Many studies have demonstrated CO^sub 2^ fixation using photo-bioreactors and raceway ponds, but a comprehensive review is yet to be published on biological CO^sub 2^ fixation. A comprehensive review of CO^sub 2^ fixation through biological process is presented in this paper as biological processes are ideal to control both organic and inorganic pollutants. This process can also cover the classification of methods, functional mechanisms, designs, and their operational parameters, which are crucial for efficient CO^sub 2^ fixation. This review also suggests the bio-trickling filter process as an appropriate approach in CO^sub 2^ fixation to assist in creating a pollution-free environment. Finally, this paper introduces optimum designs, growth rate models, and CO^sub 2^ fixation of microalgae, functions, and operations in biological CO^sub 2^ fixation. [web URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479716305928]