A modeling study of carbon and light limitation in algal biofilms

In an effort to develop an understanding of the interaction of inorganic carbon and light limitation in algal biofilms, a mathematical model was developed, based on well-established mathematical descriptions of the biological, chemical, and physical processes involved. The results showed that the growth of algal biofilms is a very complex function of the inorganic carbon and light conditions, due to the interaction of inorganic carbon speciation with pH. These results are discussed in terms of the distribution of reaction rate through the biofilm and in terms of maximum potential growth rate for given bulk conditions.