Potential of carbon uptake by microalgae species used in aquaculture: first steps to development of a "clean development mechanism”

Abstract

The aim of this work was to determine the rate of CO2 uptake of the microalgae species Nannochloropsis oculata, Chaetoceros affinis, Chaetoceros muelleri, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Skeletonema costatum, Thalassiosira weissflogii, Thalassiosira pseudonana, Tetraselmis chuii, Tetraselmis tetrathele and Isochrysis galbana, used in aquaculture. Measurements of primary production (14C method; dissolved, particulate and total production) were accomplished in cultures growing in logarithmic phase, under different light intensities and without any nutrient restriction. T. weissflogii and N. oculata presented the largest carbon uptake rates, being indicated for further scaling experiments in order to develop a “Clean Development Mechanism” to the absortion of atmospheric carbon dioxide.