Control of microalgal growth and competition by N:P ratio manipulation = N:P ratio 조절에 의한 미세조류 생장과 경쟁 제어

Abstract

Microalgae can grow autotrophically with the supply of light, carbon dioxide andinorganic nutrients in water through photosynthesis. Generally, microalgal growth is limited bythe concentrations and relative ratio of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) among the nutrients inthe aquatic environment. Each microalga has its specific optimum N : P ratio resulting indominance in a particular water having similar nutrient composition. Algal bloom is an immensegrowth of certain microalga commonly cyanobacterium and can be sequestrated by reducing thelimiting nutrient, generally P in the freshwater. Moreover, dominance of a less toxic bloomingstrain can be established by manipulating N : P ratio in the water. On the other hand, microalgalbiomass of a certain species can be enhanced by increasing limiting nutrient and adjusting the N :P ratio to the target species. The above-mentioned eco-physiological features of microalgae can bemore completely interpreted in connection with their genomic informations. Consequently,microalgal growth regulation which can be achieved on the basis of its eco-physiological andfurther genomic insights would be helpful not only in the control of algal bloom, but also for anincreased yield of algal biomass.