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Title: Cross-study analysis of factors affecting algae cultivation in recycled medium for biofuel production

Abstract

Current high costs of commercial-scale algal biofuel production prevent the widespread use of this renewable fuel source. One cost-saving approach is the reuse of algae cultivation water after biomass harvesting, which reduces water pumping and treatment costs. However, dissolved compounds, cell debris, and microorganisms remaining in the water could affect subsequent algae generations. Previous studies demonstrate a variety of effects of recycled medium on algae growth, yet their results have not been collectively analyzed. Here, in this study, we integrate data across 86 studies to determine the relative importance of different factors influencing algae growth in recycled medium. We found that algae taxa can have the greatest influence, while the harvesting method is less influential on growth outcomes. This meta-analysis identifies favorable taxa and thus provides a tool for algae cultivation decision-making when medium reuse is an important driver. Results can also aid in estimating relative algae yield and growth rates for technoeconomic assessments that incorporate water recycling.

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1];  [1]
  1. Duke Univ., Beaufort, NC (United States). Marine Laboratory
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO); USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
2281650
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1460892
Grant/Contract Number:  
EE0007091
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Algal Research
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 24; Related Information: S.E. Loftus, Z.I. Johnson, Algae growth in recycled cultivation water: database for meta-analysis, figshare (2017) http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.4311851.v2.; Journal ID: ISSN 2211-9264
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
09 BIOMASS FUELS; 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; Algal biofuel; Microalgae cultivation; Growth medium recycling; Crop rotation; Algae harvesting; Meta-analysis

Citation Formats

Loftus, Sarah E., and Johnson, Zackary I. Cross-study analysis of factors affecting algae cultivation in recycled medium for biofuel production. United States: N. p., 2017. Web. doi:10.1016/j.algal.2017.03.007.
Loftus, Sarah E., & Johnson, Zackary I. Cross-study analysis of factors affecting algae cultivation in recycled medium for biofuel production. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2017.03.007
Loftus, Sarah E., and Johnson, Zackary I. Thu . "Cross-study analysis of factors affecting algae cultivation in recycled medium for biofuel production". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2017.03.007. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/2281650.
@article{osti_2281650,
title = {Cross-study analysis of factors affecting algae cultivation in recycled medium for biofuel production},
author = {Loftus, Sarah E. and Johnson, Zackary I.},
abstractNote = {Current high costs of commercial-scale algal biofuel production prevent the widespread use of this renewable fuel source. One cost-saving approach is the reuse of algae cultivation water after biomass harvesting, which reduces water pumping and treatment costs. However, dissolved compounds, cell debris, and microorganisms remaining in the water could affect subsequent algae generations. Previous studies demonstrate a variety of effects of recycled medium on algae growth, yet their results have not been collectively analyzed. Here, in this study, we integrate data across 86 studies to determine the relative importance of different factors influencing algae growth in recycled medium. We found that algae taxa can have the greatest influence, while the harvesting method is less influential on growth outcomes. This meta-analysis identifies favorable taxa and thus provides a tool for algae cultivation decision-making when medium reuse is an important driver. Results can also aid in estimating relative algae yield and growth rates for technoeconomic assessments that incorporate water recycling.},
doi = {10.1016/j.algal.2017.03.007},
journal = {Algal Research},
number = ,
volume = 24,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Mar 30 00:00:00 EDT 2017},
month = {Thu Mar 30 00:00:00 EDT 2017}
}

Journal Article:

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Cited by: 36 works
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Works referencing / citing this record:

Reused Cultivation Water Accumulates Dissolved Organic Carbon and Uniquely Influences Different Marine Microalgae
journal, May 2019

  • Loftus, Sarah E.; Johnson, Zackary I.
  • Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Vol. 7
  • DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00101