Evaluation of photosynthetic efficacy and CO2removal of microalgae grown in an enriched bicarbonate medium.
Bicarbonate species in the aqueous phase is the primary source for CO2for the growth of microalgae. The potential of carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation by Chlorella pyrenoidosa in enriched bicarbonate medium was evaluated. In the present study, effects of parameters such as pH, sodium bicarbonate concentration and inoculum size were assessed for the removal of CO2by C. pyrenoidosa under mixotrophic condition. Central composite design tool from response surface methodology was used to validate statistical methods in order to study the influence of these parameters. The obtained results reveal that the maximum removal of CO2was attained at pH 8 with sodium bicarbonate concentration of 3.33 g/l, and inoculum size of 30 %. The experimental results were statistically significant with R2value of 0.9527 and 0.960 for CO2removal and accumulation of chlorophyll content, respectively. Among the various interactions, interactive effects between the parameters pH and inoculum size was statistically significant (P < 0.05) for CO2removal and chlorophyll accumulation. Based on the studies, the application of C. pyrenoidosa as a potential source for carbon dioxide removal at alkaline pH from bicarbonate source is highlighted.
Environmental Engineering Division, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, 632014, India.
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Abinandan
Environmental Engineering Division, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, 632014, India. shanthakumar.s@vit.ac.in.
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Shanthakumar
Carbon concentrating mechanism; Chlorella pyrenoidosa; Dissolved inorganic carbon; Mixotrophic condition; Response surface methodology