Parametric control of the yield characteristics and species composition dynamics of algal poly-culture
Nefedova, E.L.; Levinskikh, M.A.; Sychev, V.N.
Aviakosmicheskaia i Ekologicheskaia Meditsina 40(5): 45-49
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0233-528X PMID: 17357628 Document Number: 600937
There are several experimental models of biological life support systems (BLSS) designed to incorporate a chlorella pool. These BLSS can be optimized if populated by algal associations that could take up more functions within the closed cycling system than a single alga species. Introduction of a Spirulina and Chlamydomonas poly-culture with differing in gas exchange and biochemical composition resulted in a tighter closure of linkages within the system. The factors determining the size of a species population in intensive continuous poly-cultures are, first and foremost, pH and suspension flow rate. Experimental testing of this supposition brought us to the conclusion that parametric control of alga productivity and species composition dynamics makes it possible to create a steady intensive poly-culture as part of the LSS for humans. Flow rate and pH can be the parameters for control of the Spirulina and Chlamydomonas populations during continuous cultivation of this poly-culture.