ISSN:
1573-5176
Keywords:
High Rate Algal Pond
;
mathematical model
;
quantum requirement
;
light absorption
;
attenuation
;
productivity
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract A model is presented to predict algal biomass concentration and productivity in a High Rate Algal Pond (HRAP) at all possible combinations of incident photon flux density (PFD), pond depth and hydraulic retention time (HRT). The total extinction coefficientk t and the absorption coefficient ka of algal biomass were measured at 1 nm intervals. Thek t values were used to calculate the underwater light climate, which included the spectral narrowing of the photon flux density with increasing depth. The number of quanta absorbed (QA) from the photosynthetic available radiation (PAR) was calculated using thek a /k t ratio and incident PFD at 1 nm intervals. Algal oxygen production is related to QA by the quantum requirement (QR), which was determined fromk a ,and the slope of the photosynthesis versus irradiance curve (α). Based on this calculation we propose a new concept: the compensating absorption rate (CAR), which represents the rate of photon absorption necessary to balance oxygen consuming processes. The model calculated productivities using literature data on HRT, pond depth and incident PFD, that compared well with the actual measured productivities. To achieve optimal HRAP productivities under fluctuating climatological conditions, we propose a pond management strategy based on model simulations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00003650
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