2.2. Effect of CO2 supplementation and
seasonality on microalgal productivity simulated-climate of different
regions
Considering that flue gas availability could limit the achievement of
maximum algal biomass potential in some regions of South America, we
determined the effect of not supplementing CO2 onS. obliquus on productivity in simulated-climate of Buenos Aires,
Posadas and Fortaleza. Lack of CO2 supplementation
lessened annual mean biomass productivity from 10,56 ± 1,85 g ·
m- 2 · d-1 to 4,71 ± 0,89 g ·
m- 2 · d-1 (55% lower) in Buenos
Aires; from 10,61 ± 1,21 g · m- 2 ·
d-1 to 5,18 ± 0,78 g · m- 2 ·
d-1 (51% lower) in Posadas; and from 16,76 ± 0,94 g ·
m- 2 · d-1 to 7,14 ± 0,70 g ·
m- 2 · d-1 (57% lower) in
Fortaleza. The same level of reduction of biomass productivity was
observed in summer and winter if CO2 is was not supplied
(Figure 2).
Cultures not-supplemented with CO2 consistently
presented slightly higher levels of carbohydrates and lipids in their
biomass. However, both carbohydrates and lipids productivity was largely
offset by the slower growth rate of these cultures (Figure 3).