Effect of elevated carbon dioxide and phosphorus on nitrogen uptake, lipid content, and growth of <i>Tetraselmis sp.</i>

Abstract

Effect of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and phosphorus levels on nitrogen uptake, lipid content, and growth of Tetraselmis sp. were investigated. Cultures of Tetraselmis sp. were added with CO2 and phosphorus at concentrations above those currently used in aquaculture practices in a factorial experiment. Three levels of CO2 (no addition, 5% v/v, and 10% v/v of the incoming air for aeration) and three levels of phosphorus added as NaH2PO4 (5, 10, 20 mg L’1) in modified F medium with NH4+ as the primary nitrogen source were used. Optical density (680 nm) and residual NH3-N in the culture medium were monitored daily over a culture period of 6 days. Relative growth rate (k'), nitrogen uptake (pg NH3-N cell’1 day1), and lipid content (% dry weight) were calculated and determined at the end of the culture period. No interactive effect between phosphorus and CO2 levels was observed in all variables measured (p > 0.05). Highest growth rate (k = 1.82±0.04), nitrogen uptake (0.316±0.008 μg NH3-N cell1 day1), and lipid content (10.95±0.15 %DW) were exhibited at 10% CO2 supplementation. Growth and nitrogen uptake were similar in treatments with elevated levels of phosphorus, but lipid yield (9.41±0.27 %DW) was lowest at 20 mg L1 of phosphorus supplementation (p < 0.05). These results showed the critical role of CO2 in nitrogen uptake, lipid content, and growth of Tetraselmis sp. It also indicates the potential of this algal species for waste water remediation, biofuel production, and carbon sequestration.