Study of a bloom of the oil-rich alga Botryococcus braunii in the Darwin River Reservoir

Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1979 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260220808· OSTI ID:7042647

Wake, L V; Hillen, L W

A bloom of the freshwater alga Botryococcus braunii Kutzing appeared in the Darwin River Reservoir in 1976. At the time of algal sampling, the bloom was estimated at 1500 ton and possibly double this mass at a maximum cell concentration. The alga is characterized by a high liquid hydrocarbon content, sufficient to cause flotation of the algal colonies. This report is an examination of the waters of the reservoir and of the characteristics of the alga. Observations are included on the formation of a material known as Coorongite, a rubbery complex produced by the drying of colony aggregates at the shoreline. Earlier reports of blooms of B. braunii are reviewed in relation to this study. 42 references.

• Research Organization: Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Melbourne, Australia
• OSTI ID: 7042647
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States) Vol. 22:8; ISSN BIBIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALGAE
AQUACULTURE
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
BIOSYNTHESIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DRYING
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANTS
SURFACE WATERS
SYNTHESIS
WATER RESERVOIRS