Growth and Carbon Budget of Spirulina pacifica, with a Special Reference to Light

Algae > Volume 13(1); 1998 > Article

Algae 1998;13(1): 119-122.

Kunshan Gao

Institute of Hydrobiology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Energy and Environmental Sciences, Shantou University

ABSTRACT

In order to get a basic knowledge about the growth and carbon budget of Spirulina pacifica, the alga was cultured under different light regimes (40,100 and 200 μmol photon m super(-2)·s super(-1) and its growth, organic carbon content and carbon incorporation were investigated. The alga grew faster at the intermediate level of light compared to the high and low regimes, with the maximum growth rate being 0.5 doublings per day and the end biomass density 2 g per L; it also grew well in diluted seawater. The removal of inorganic carbon and the accumulation of total organic and extracellular organic carbon increased with increased light intensity. The organic carbon content of Spirulina pacifica did not show significant difference among the cultures maintained under different light regimes. The mean organic carbon content was 30% (w/w) of the dry alga.

Key words: blue-green alga, carbon, growth, Spirulina pacifica