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An investigation of a fertilizer–tap water medium for mass algal production in outdoor plastic‐enclosed systems
Author(s) -
Geldenhuys D. J.,
Walmsley R. D.,
Toerien D. F.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260300202
Subject(s) - tap water , fertilizer , biomass (ecology) , scenedesmus , urea , algae , nutrient , chemistry , agronomy , zoology , food science , botany , environmental science , biology , environmental engineering , biochemistry , organic chemistry
The feasibility of using two fertilizers (urea plus superphosphate) in tap water as a medium for the mass culture of green algae ( Scenedesmus and Ankistrodesmus ) in outdoor plastic‐enclosed minipond systems was investigated. Experiments in which the basic fertilizer‐tap water medium was enriched with micro‐ and/or macronutrients revealed no nutrient deficiency symptoms in the algal biomass produced. Biomass production was found to be quantitatively related to the concentration of fertilizer added and maximal production (> 15 g/m 2 day) was achieved following the addition of 30 mg N/L (1.89 g N/m 2 day) and 4.5 mg P/L (0.28 g P/m 2 /day).