The red alga Gracilaria tikvahiae is capable of extremely high rates of biomass production (> 20 g vs/m².day or 74 mt vs/ha.yr), but such yields require rapid seawater exchange rates (25 culture volumes/day) that would be uneconomical and nonenergy cost-effective in a land-based or coastal energy farm based on pumped water. The requirements for high seawater exchange reflect C0₂ limitation which is exacerbated in species such as Gracilaria that cannot utilize bicarbonate as a substrate for photosynthesis, since free C0₂ is almost unavailable at the high pH levels (> 9.0) attained in dense cultures at low exchange rates. Bicarbonate users, such as Ulva are better adapted to growth under such relatively stagnant conditions where ƸC0₂ is not rate-limiting. At extremely low seawater exchange rates (< 1 exchange/day) even ƸC0₂ may become growth limiting and high yields depend upon CO₂ enrichment.
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
Institute of Gas Technology.
Date Issued
1982
Note
Language
Type
Genre
Form
Extent
15 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
FA00007054
Additional Information
The red alga Gracilaria tikvahiae is capable of extremely high rates of biomass production (> 20 g vs/m².day or 74 mt vs/ha.yr), but such yields require rapid seawater exchange rates (25 culture volumes/day) that would be uneconomical and nonenergy cost-effective in a land-based or coastal energy farm based on pumped water. The requirements for high seawater exchange reflect C0₂ limitation which is exacerbated in species such as Gracilaria that cannot utilize bicarbonate as a substrate for photosynthesis, since free C0₂ is almost unavailable at the high pH levels (> 9.0) attained in dense cultures at low exchange rates. Bicarbonate users, such as Ulva are better adapted to growth under such relatively stagnant conditions where ƸC0₂ is not rate-limiting. At extremely low seawater exchange rates (< 1 exchange/day) even ƸC0₂ may become growth limiting and high yields depend upon CO₂ enrichment.
Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution 254
This manuscript is an author version with the final publication available and may be cited as: Ryther, J. H. and DeBusk, T. A. (1982). Significance of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate-carbon uptake in marine biomass production. In D. L. Klass (Chair), Energy from biomass and wastes VI. Symposium papers presented January 25-29, 1982, Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Date Backup
1982
Date Text
1982
Date Issued (EDTF)
1982
Extension
FAU
IID
FA00007054
Organizations
Attributed name: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Person Preferred Name
Ryther, John H.
Physical Description
15 p.
Title Plain
Significance of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate-carbon uptake in marine biomass production
Origin Information
1982
Institute of Gas Technology.
Chicago
Place
Chicago
Title
Significance of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate-carbon uptake in marine biomass production
Other Title Info
Significance of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate-carbon uptake in marine biomass production