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Microalgal assemblages in a poikilohaline pond
Shuyi Wang1, William Lambert1, Sophia Giang1
1Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093-0202, USA.
Journal of Phycology
|March 19, 2016
Summary
This study identified key microalgal strains, Picochlorum, Picocystis, and Chaetoceros, from a California estuary for potential algal biofuels. These strains exhibit high chlorophyll content and lipid accumulation, crucial for sustainable biofuel production.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Biotechnology
- Environmental science
Background:
- Outdoor algal cultivation for biofuels requires strains with high growth rates in variable conditions.
- A southern California estuary pond, known for high chlorophyll, was selected as a model system.
- Microalgal assemblages were studied to identify dominant species and their ecological roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize microalgal populations in a variable salinity estuarine pond.
- To assess the growth rates and lipid accumulation potential of dominant microalgal strains for biofuel applications.
- To understand the influence of environmental factors on microalgal community structure.
Main Methods:
- 18S rDNA environmental clone libraries were used to profile microalgal assemblages.
- Pigment analysis quantified chlorophyll a contributions.
- Isolated strains (Picochlorum sp., Picocystis sp., Chaetoceros sp.) were tested for growth rates under varying temperatures and salinities.
- Lipid body presence was assessed during nitrogen starvation.
Main Results:
- Picochlorum sp. and Picocystis sp. dominated the pond year-round, contributing significantly to chlorophyll a.
- Picocystis sp. showed increased contribution at higher salinities.
- A bloom of the diatom Chaetoceros sp. occurred in June 2011.
- Chaetoceros sp. exhibited the highest growth rate but was sensitive to high salinity.
- All three strains accumulated lipids under nitrogen starvation.
Conclusions:
- Picochlorum sp., Picocystis sp., and Chaetoceros sp. are promising candidates for algal biofuels due to their growth and lipid accumulation potential.
- Environmental factors like salinity influence microalgal community composition and species dominance.
- Further research into optimizing growth conditions for these strains is warranted for successful biofuel production.
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