Limits to Phototrophic Growth in Dense Culture: CO2 Supply and Light

Abstract

While a range of technologies for algal growth have been put forward, including open ponds and a range of photobioreactor designs, there remain however some fundamental constraints on algal growth that potentially limit the growth rates and/or yield of algal and cyanobacterial cultures, irrespective of the technological approach. Some of these represent intrinsic features of the biology of autotrophic cells while others relate to extrinsic (environmental) factors that potentially limit performance. In this chapter we assess some of the intrinsic constraints on photoautotrophic growth. We then specifically consider the two most important environmental factors that can potentially limit performance of photoautotrophic cells in dense culture – light and CO2 supply.