Sufficient CO2 concentration is crucial for high biomass formation of marine microalgae

Paper in proceeding, 2015

The effect of low and high CO2 concentration for the growth of marine green microalgae genera Chlorella and Picochlorum were investigated. Chlorella sp. A, Chlorella sp. B, Chlorella sp. C and Picochlorum sp. strains were grown in a batch culture under 20:4 hours of light:dark photoperiods and with either 0.035 % (ambient air) or 2.0 % of CO2 supply. Picochlorum sp. and Chlorella sp. C achieved the highest maximum growth rate (d-1) 1.06 and 1.05, respectively, when cultured with a high CO2 supply (2.0 %). Cultures supplied with low CO2 (0.035 %), did not enter into exponential growth phase, but formed biomass in a steady linear growth pattern, suggesting significant carbon limitation. Thus, it is clear that the supply of CO2 is critical for high rates of microalgal biomass production, and optimal CO2 ¬supply rate should be identified that also improves carbohydrate formation.