Carbon dioxide fixation by microalgae cultivated in open bioreactors

Abstract

The biofixation of carbon dioxide (CO 2) by microalgae has been proven to be an efficient and economical method, mainly due to the photosynthetic ability of these microorganisms to use this gas as a source of nutrients for their development. The aim of this work was to study the growth of Spirulina LEB18 and Chlorella kessleri microalgae, exposed to controlled and non-controlled conditions, with the injection of different concentrations of CO 2. The cultures was carried out in 6 L open raceway ponds, under controlled conditions at 30 °C and 39 μE m −2 s −1 and under non-controlled conditions, protected by a tunnel of transparent film. The experiments were subjected to CO 2 injections at concentrations of 0.038, 6, 12 and 18% (v/v). The highest concentration of biomass (4.95 g L −1) and maximum daily fixation (0.21 g g −1 d −1) were obtained for Spirulina LEB18 in culture that was prepared in non-controlled conditions with an injection of 6% (v/v) of CO 2. C. kessleri had maximum ( p < 0.0008) specific growth rate (0.84 d −1) when grown with 18% (v/v) of CO 2 in non-controlled conditions of cultivation.