Barbados is currently undertaking studies to seek out new opportunities and ways to use Sargassum seaweed.
Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Adrian Forde, disclosed that samples of live Sargassum seaweed were taken from Barbados, Belize and Jamaica to identify the active principles of cadmium, mercury and higher-than-normal levels of arsenic.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Ministry’s Warrens, St. Michael office on Wednesday, Mr. Forde said the levels were higher than international levels, and again emphasised that the algae should not be ingested.
However, he noted that efforts were underway to find a suitable use for the seaweed, which was currently decomposing at Bath Land, St. John, after being removed from beaches.
“We are doing certain studies by Dr. Terrol Thompson, who runs the Bloom programme sponsored by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. It sponsored 50 entrepreneurs to come up with the full usage of Sargassum and other organic material,” Mr. Forde said.
He explained that they were also looking at substrate studies to determine the biomethane potential of Sargassum, or its energy potential, with the intention of doing a waste-to-gas or waste-to-energy facility. He further noted that the study had produced three substrate forms of the Sargassum, so far.
“They are using Sargassum and mixing it with the vinasse because the idea is to get the colorific value to be able to have that viability to transition from the waste to the bioenergy. They are also testing it with other types of green organic material, that is river tamarind, different types of grass; Sargassum is being tested by itself also. There are a series of tests being carried out by Dr. Thompson and his team to see what waste-to-energy potential the Sargassum has. If it is going to be a waste to biofuel, or if it can be used for the generation of electricity….
“They are also looking at pyrolysis, which is a form of carbonisation of the Sargassum, where you are looking at char as a bi-product or activated charcoal, which can be used in filters. They are doing tests to see if you can get Sargassum converted into these things. That is the type of discussions we are having right now,” Mr. Forde said.
He further noted that The University of the West Indies was also running a rum and Sargassum test to determine if the Sargassum mixed with the vinasse could obtain the colorific value needed to drive a waste-to-energy industry.
Stressing that Government was undertaking the necessary studies, and tests to ensure that the full value from the Sargassum could be achieved, the Minister stated: “We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the Sargassum can be used in a circular way, if possible.”