ON THE MASS CULTURE OF ALGAE

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Abstract
Simultaneous achievement of high density of population and high growth rate is an important requirement for the development of mass culture of algae. These can be achieved by design of the culture vessel so that only thin layers of algal suspension are exposed to light. High densities also require repeated additions of fixed N to the culture soln. and special precautions to maintain availability of Fe and other microelements. The biologically inert chelating agent, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid is useful for the latter purpose. With these precautions it was possible to achieve a density of 55 g./l. dry weight of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and a growth rate of 2.5 g./l./ day in an annular chamber 6 mm. thick, exposed to full sunlight and aerated with 5% CO2 in air.