Abstract
To make large-algae cultivation systems sustainable, commercial fertilizer inputs should be minimized. One means of achieving this is to maximize the recycle of nutrients used in algae cultivation. In addition to recycling nutrient-containing water from algae harvesting and dewatering, after harvesting algal biomass can be used as a substrate for anaerobic digestion, which can then generate mineralized nutrients to be used for further cultivation. In this study, the effect of recycling media and using mineralized nutrients during Scenedesmus cultivation was investigated. The recycled media proved to be able to support cell growth with nutrient replenishment, and it could be recycled for cultivation up to four times. Algae biomass was subjected to anaerobic digestion, and the liquid digestate and the total digestate were tested as nutrient sources. The digestate was rich in ammonium ions and proved to be a sufficient replacement for urea. When both urea and ammonium ions were available in the media, the assimilation of urea by algal cells slowed down compared to the case where urea was the only nitrogen source.
Highlights
Nutrient supplementation is critical for algae cultivation
In addition to recycling nutrient-containing water from algae harvesting and dewatering, after harvesting algal biomass can be used as a substrate for anaerobic digestion, which can generate mineralized nutrients to be used for further cultivation
Algae biomass was subjected to anaerobic digestion, and the liquid digestate and the total digestate were tested as nutrient sources
Summary
Nutrient supplementation is critical for algae cultivation. Commercial fertilizers (such as urea, triple superphosphate, potash, and Sprint 330) or lab grade chemicals can provide the nutrients required for algae growth; as the cultivation scale expanding, the amount of nutrient required becomes significant and bulk fertilizers become more practicable. When the cultivation is performed in a continuous mode, algae cells have to be harvested intermittently, which generates algae biomass and media-containing residual nutrients. Carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and inorganic compounds, which are potential nutrients for further algae cultivation. To alleviate the dependence on commercial fertilizers, recycled media and algae biomass residues (e.g., after processing of the biomass to obtain useful products) should be considered as secondary nutrient sources for the cultivation system.
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