Algae are a prolific source of biochemicals with economic importance, including nutraceuticals, biofuels, animal feed, etc. The general aim of this study was to establish how the hydrodynamic conditions generated within specific types or designs of photobioreactors determine their respective algae growth. The specific objectives of this study were: (1) To determine and compare key hydrodynamic parameters in the Air Accordion photobioreactor and the conventional bubble column, including Residence Time, Vessel Dispersion Number, Bodenstein Number, Mixing Time and oxygen liquid mass transfer coefficient (kla); and, (2) To test how differences in the hydrodynamic conditions would result in significant difference in growths of the green alga Scenedesmus obliquuus between the photobioreactors. The results of the study showed that: (1) The Residence Time of 566 s for the Air Accordion significantly exceeded by 28% that of 444 s for the bubble column, signifying greater liquid mixing in the Air Accordion; (2) The Vessel Dispersion Number for the Air Accordion of 0.168 significantly exceeded that for the bubble column of 0.166, indicating greater degree of mixing in the Air Accordion than in the bubble column; (3) The Mixing Time in both the Air Accordion and the bubble column declined as the air flow rate increased, indicating that the tracer ions in both photobioreactors mixed more quickly. For each of the flow rates tested, however, the mixing time for the bubble column significantly exceeded that for the Air Accordion, indicating that liquid mixing in the Air Accordion occured significantly quicker than in the bubble column. At 1.0 LPM, the bubble column's Mixing Time of 10 s exceeded by 25% that of the Air Accordion of 8 s; (4) The oxygen liquid mass transfer coefficients in both photobioreactors increased as the air flow rate increased, indicating that the transfer of oxygen from the air bubbles into the liquid within the photobioreactors gained efficiency. For each of the air flow rates tested, however, the oxygen liquid mass transfer coefficient for the Air Accordion significantly exceeded that for the bubble column, indicating a significantly more efficient oxygenation of the liquid in the Air Accordion occurring than in the bubble column. At 1.0 LPM, the Air Accordion's oxygen liquid mass transfer coefficient of 0.00138 s⁻¹ exceeded by 48% that of the bubble column of 0.000931 s⁻¹; and (5) The growth of Scenedesmus obliquus in the Air Accordion significantly exceeded that in the bubble column for both 0.1 LPM and 1.0 LPM. The final algae density of 0.25 g DW/L in the Air Accordion significantly exceeded by 31% that of 0.18 g DW/L in the bubble column at 0.1 LPM. Similarly, the final algae density of 0.37 g DW/L in the Air Accordion significantly exceeded by 19% that of 0.31 g DW/L in the bubble column at 1.0 LPM. Thus, the growth of Scenedesmus obliquus in the Air Accordion photobioreactor -- with significanlty more favorable hydrodynamic characteristics in terms of Residence Time, Vessel Dispersion Number, Mixing Time and oxygen liquid mass transfer coefficient -- significantly exceeded algae growth in the bubble column of the same volume and under the same environmetal conditons.

The effect of power ultrasound on algae blooms (Microcystis aeruginosa) over a 30 minute period was assessed using 200 and 400 mL suspensions of optical density of 2.0 at 680 nm. The frequencies employed were 20, 40, 580 (40%, 80%, and maximum intensity), 864 (40%, 80% and maximum intensity) and 1146 kHz (40%, 80% and maximum intensity). Ultrasound can induce two different effects on algal cells; inactivation at high power (≥ 0.0022 Wcm-3) and de-agglomeration at low power (≤ 0.0042 Wcm-3). Ultrasonic effects were observed using haemocytometer, optical density, UV-visible spectrometer, fluorospectrometer and flow cytometry. Using a 40 kHz bath (0.0214 Wcm-3) led to de-agglomeration resulting in an overall increase in algae of -0.28% by haemocytometer and -4.20% by optical density. The highest inactivation achieved was 91.54% (haemocytometer) and 44.63% (optical density) using 1146 kHz (maximum intensity, 0.0248 Wcm-3) and 200 mL suspension. In terms of efficiency to achieve inactivation (i.e. inactivation % / power) the best result was observed at 864 kHz (40% power setting, 0.0042 Wcm-3) with 200 mL suspension giving 8226.19 by haemocytometer and 5011.90 by optical density. This initial part of the study allowed a comparison to be made of the ultrasonic parameters that would lead to optimum algae removal in terms of acoustic energy input. The haemocytometer results for cells number were generally higher than those indicated by optical density which is probably due to the fact that the former records only cell numbers remaining whereas the latter is an overall measure of algae concentration (ruptured cells will still register, because their contents remain in suspension). Studies on de-agglomeration and inactivation were also undertaken using small or medium-scale ultrasonic equipment that were models for industrial scale systems. The following volumes of algae suspension and equipment were employed: Sonolator (Sonic Corporation, 5L flow), 16 kHz and 20 kHz Dual Frequency Reactor (DFR, Advanced Sonics LLC, 1L static and 3.5 L flow), 20 kHz Vibrating Tray (Advanced Sonics LLC, 1.5L static) and 20 kHz ultrasonic probe (made at Southeast University, 4L static). The most effective inactivation effects were obtained with the DFR reactor in static mode and 60% power setting for 10 minutes which achieved reductions calculated at 79.25% using haemocytometry and 60.44% by optical density. The third part of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the basic mechanisms of the action of ultrasound on algae and to interpret this in terms of its potential for algal cell removal and control. Algal cell activity was assessed by three methods: using a UV-visible spectrometer (Shimazu, 2450PC), a fluorometer (Shimazu, RF5301) and a flow cytometer (BD FACS Calibur). Ultrasonic damage to Chlorophyll A was revealed through observation of the loss in UV-Vis spectrophotometer peaks around 600 nm together with the decrease in fluorometer results for peaks around 500 and 680 nm. Flow cytometer results were able to identify the number of both intact cells and damaged/ruptured cells thus giving greater insight into the mechanism of ultrasonic inactivation. The direct rupture of cells by power ultrasound was prevalent at low frequencies ≤ 40 kHz due to the mechanical effects of cavitation collapse and inactivation of algal cells by free radicals occurred at high frequencies ≥ 100 kHz and medium powers where mechanical effects are much reduced. In conclusion, this work has shown that power ultrasound can provide a suitable method to control algal growth in small and medium laboratory scales. Scale-up beyond this point is the subject of further research but the results herein clearly demonstrate the importance of choosing the correct ultrasonic parameters in terms of frequency, power and exposure time.

published_or_final_version / Ecology and Biodiversity / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Biological Sciences / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Ecology and Biodiversity / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Texas – the energy center of the world – is emerging as a pioneer in algae biodiesel research and production. There are a number of reasons for this. Texas is the largest emitter of CO₂ in the country, and efforts are being made to reduce the state's dependence on fossil fuels. Also, algae – robust and promising organisms – need non-arable land, lots of sunlight and brackish/waste water, along with CO₂. Texas has all of these in abundance, plus universities and algae start-ups that are doing crucial R / text

On the basis of three morphological characters (e.g., filament, width, chloroplast number, and type of cell end wall), six filament types of Spirogyra were collected along Bear Creek in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona. The occurrence and distribution of filament types showed seasonal and geographical patterns. Filaments were more frequently collected in early summer from pools at lower elevation. Growth of Spirogyra may be influenced by water temperature, pH, and water amount. Most filaments occurred more abundantly while water temperture and pH were relatively high. The number of filament types was greatest at sites with a semi-permanent water supply rather than in temporary and permanent pools. Of the six types of Spirogyra, Type V showed morphological and genetic changes through vegetative growth and sexual reproduction in a clonal culture in the laboratory. After 33 months culturing, a narrower filament-width group (Group II, 22.0 ± 1.1 μm) was produced in the original clone (Group I, 30.9 (+OR-) 0.7 μm). Groups I and II were homothallic and sexually compatible. Zygospores from the cross of I x II yielded germlilngs of Groups I, II, III (27.2 ± 1.0 μm) and a binucleate IV (44.9 ± 0.8 μm). Chromosome counts were: Group I (24), Group II (12), Group III (18), and Group IV (24, one nucleus). Relative nuclear-DNA fluorescence values increased as filament width and chromosome number increased. Cytologically, Group I is a tetraploid, Group II a diploid, and Group III a triploid. Systematically, Groups I, II and III key out to pirogyra singularis, S. communis, and S. fragilis, respectively, using Transeau's monograph on Zygnemataceae. These species are interpreted to be a species complex of S. communis (whose name has priority) with the ancestral haploid (x = 6) missing. Five years after isolation of the original strain in this species complex filaments corresponding to Groups I and II were found at the original collection site. The two field-collected groups were indistinguishable from the laboratory species complex in morphology and chromosome number. Homothallic conjunction within two field width groups yielded progeny similar to those from homothallic conjunction of groups in the laboratory species complex. Filament widths of progeny were generally within the width limits of respective parental groups. The four intergroup crosses between laboratory and field width groups were successful and yielded progeny representing Groups I, II, and III. The similarities in morphology, chromosome numbers, and reproductive behavior of laboratory and field width groups imply that the laboratory species complex of S. communis has a natural counterpart in the field.

With a surge in future demand for hydrogen as a renewable fuel, the specific aim of this study was to develop a novel strategy in photosynthetic hydrogen production from green algae, which is one of the cleanest processes among existing hydrogen-production methodologies currently being explored. The novel strategy designed was a spectral-selective PSI-activation/PSII-deactivation protocol that would work to maintain a steady flow of electrons in the electron transport system in the light-dependent part of photosynthesis for delivery of electrons to hydrogenase for photo-hydrogen production. The strategy would work to activate PSI to assist in driving the electron flow, while partially deactivating PSII to a degree that it would still supply electrons, but would limit its photosynthetic oxygen production below the respiratory oxygen consumption so that an anoxic condition would be maintained as required by hydrogenase. This study successfully showed that the implementation of the spectral-selective PSIactivation/ PSII-deactivation strategy resulted in actual and relatively sustained photohydrogen production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells, which had been dark-adapted for three hours immediately prior to exposure to a PSI-spectral selective radiation, which had a spectral peak at 692 nm, covering a narrow waveband of 681-701 nm, and was applied at 15 W m⁻². The optimal condition for the PSI-spectral-selective radiation (692 nm) corresponded with low cell density of 20 mg chlorophyll L⁻¹ ("chl" henceforth) with cells grown at 25⁰C. At this condition, the PSI-spectral-selective radiation induced the maximal initial hydrogen production rate of 0.055 mL H² mg⁻¹ chl h⁻¹ which statistically the same as that achieved under white light of 0.044 mL H² mg⁻¹ chl h⁻¹, a maximal total hydrogen production of 0.108 mL H² mg⁻¹ chl which significantly exceeded that under white light of 0.066 mL H² mg⁻¹ chl, and a maximal gross radiant energy conversion efficiency for hydrogen production of 0.515 μL H² mg⁻¹ chl L⁻¹ that statistically matched that under white light of 0.395 μL H² mg⁻¹ chl L⁻¹. The study also successfully demonstrated the reversibility feature of the novel strategy, allowing for the cells to alternately engage in photo-hydrogen production and to recover by simply switching on or off the PSI-spectral-selective radiation.

No description available.

The endogenous cytokinin levels in the brown alga Ecklonia maxima (OSBECK) PAPENF., and the effect of applications of the seaweed concentrate (Kelpak 66) prepared from this alga, on the growth and yield of various plants was investigated. Tentative identification of the cytokinins present in Ecklonia maxima using High Performance Liquid Chromatography revealed the presence of cis and trans-ribosylzeatin, trans-zeatin, dihydrozeatin and isopentenyladenosine. Seasonal and lunar variations in the endogenous cytokinin levels in fresh and processed Ecklonia maxima material were investigated. Lamina, stipe and holdfast regions of one, two and three metre plants harvested from February 1981 until January 1982 together with samples of processed material from the normal production run, collected over the same period were used in this investigation. Analysis revealed both qualitative and quantitative changes in the cytokinin levels which were closely correlated to the seasonal patterns of growth of Ecklonia maxima. During summer zeatin, ribosylzeatin and their dihydroderivatives were responsible for most of the detected activity. The cytokinin glucosides increased above the levels of free cytokinins during winter. The lunar cycle study of material harvested on a daily basis during April - May 1983 revealed marked fluctuations in the cytokinin levels in the various tissues of two metre plants which were closely correlated with the phases of the moon. Greenhouse trials were conducted to determine the effects of the commercially available seaweed concentrate (Kelpak 66) on the growth of Lycopersicon esculentum MILL. plants in nematode infested soil. Kelpak 66 at a dilution of 1 : 500 improved the growth of treated plants significantly, irrespective of whether it was applied as a foliar spray at regular intervals, or whether the soil in which the plants were grown was flushed once with the diluted seaweed concentrate. Root growth was significantly improved whenever the seaweed concentrate was applied. Associated with this improved root growth was a reduction in the infestation of Meloidogyne incognita (KOIFORD and WHITE) CHITWOOD. Finally, the effect of seaweed concentrate and fertilizer applications on the growth and endogenous cytokinin content of Beta vulgaris L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants was investigated. Seaweed concentrate at a dilution of 1 : 500 applied as a foliar spray improved the growth of treated plants significantly, irrespective of whether it was applied on its own or together with a chemical fertilizer. Root growth and the endogenous cytokinin content of these roots increased with seaweed concentrate application. Increases were also detected in the cytokinin content of fruits of Phaseolus vulgaris plants treated with seaweed concentrate. Associated with this increase in the cytokinin content was an increase in the dry mass of the fruit from treated plants. The significance of these findings and the possible relationship between the endogenous cytokinins present in Ecklonia maxima and the effect of the seaweed concentrate on plant growth is discussed. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1984.