Contamination in Open ponds for Algae Cultivation
Adapted from – Algae Fuels Community @ CleanTick – http://www.cleantick.com/users/franc/pages/challenges-in-algae-fuel-commercialisation
One of the issues that is being encountered in open pond-algal cultivation is the contamination. Contamination of ponds can be a result of: a) Infiltration from local algae and other organisms b) Dust particles, leaves and other airborne materials
For instance, although the algal species grown commercially in outdoor ponds generally grow under highly selective conditions (Chlorella Spp., Nannochlorpsis and P. tricornutum are grown at high nutrient concentrations, Spirulina is grown at high bicarbonate concentrations and a high pH, and D. salina is grown at very high salinities) contamination by other unwanted algal species is common. Thus, while the capital costs for setting up an open pond algae farm are low, the threat of contamination of the desirable algal oil producing species, by invasive species remains high. The contaminants not only belong to non-biological sources but also from the various biological and other algae species that might become invasive.
More – http://www.cleantick.com/users/franc/pages/challenges-in-algae-fuel-commercialisation
