Modeling of growth of the macroalga Ulva sp. in a controlled photobioreactor based on nitrogen accumulation dynamics

ABSTRACTMacroalgal biomass production models that capture nutrient dynamics, temperature, light and salinity are important for the design and operation of large-scale farms. The goal of this study is to understand how the nitrogen fertilizing regime, relating to dose (µM N week−1), amplitude (µM N)...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Meiron Zollmann, Alexander Liberzon, Alexander Golberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
Series:Applied Phycology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26388081.2023.2224423
_version_ 1827309033552347136
author Meiron Zollmann
Alexander Liberzon
Alexander Golberg
author_facet Meiron Zollmann
Alexander Liberzon
Alexander Golberg
author_sort Meiron Zollmann
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACTMacroalgal biomass production models that capture nutrient dynamics, temperature, light and salinity are important for the design and operation of large-scale farms. The goal of this study is to understand how the nitrogen fertilizing regime, relating to dose (µM N week−1), amplitude (µM N) and duration (hours) of fertilization, affects the dynamics of nitrogen content and biomass production of Ulva sp. We hypothesize that the nitrogen fertilizing regime controls the Ulva Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE), defined here as the fraction of fertilizer nitrogen that is utilized and allocated to yield N, and, accordingly, also nitrogen assimilation in the biomass and the growth rate. We test this hypothesis by measuring internal nitrogen and biomass weight and by calculating NUE under various fertilization regimes in controlled photobioreactors. Based on these experimental data, we developed a biomass productivity model that predicts nitrogen and biomass dynamics temporally over three weeks of cultivation. This study highlights efficient fertilizing regimes and enables the development of a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between external N, internal N and biomass production of Ulva sp. under varying external N levels, which is important for real-world agricultural applications. This study provides a better understanding of the external N-internal N-biomass triangle leading to an improved dynamic cultivation model, enabling better control of nutrient application and biomass production in macroalgal farming for a sustainable marine bioeconomy.
first_indexed 2024-03-08T18:56:03Z
format Article
id doaj.art-ab7ba8ad6ee4463ea17dce281ed746bb
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2638-8081
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-24T19:22:10Z
publishDate 2023-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series Applied Phycology
spelling doaj.art-ab7ba8ad6ee4463ea17dce281ed746bb2024-03-25T17:25:36ZengTaylor & Francis GroupApplied Phycology2638-80812023-12-014112114010.1080/26388081.2023.2224423Modeling of growth of the macroalga Ulva sp. in a controlled photobioreactor based on nitrogen accumulation dynamicsMeiron Zollmann0Alexander Liberzon1Alexander Golberg2Porter School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, IsraelSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, IsraelPorter School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, IsraelABSTRACTMacroalgal biomass production models that capture nutrient dynamics, temperature, light and salinity are important for the design and operation of large-scale farms. The goal of this study is to understand how the nitrogen fertilizing regime, relating to dose (µM N week−1), amplitude (µM N) and duration (hours) of fertilization, affects the dynamics of nitrogen content and biomass production of Ulva sp. We hypothesize that the nitrogen fertilizing regime controls the Ulva Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE), defined here as the fraction of fertilizer nitrogen that is utilized and allocated to yield N, and, accordingly, also nitrogen assimilation in the biomass and the growth rate. We test this hypothesis by measuring internal nitrogen and biomass weight and by calculating NUE under various fertilization regimes in controlled photobioreactors. Based on these experimental data, we developed a biomass productivity model that predicts nitrogen and biomass dynamics temporally over three weeks of cultivation. This study highlights efficient fertilizing regimes and enables the development of a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between external N, internal N and biomass production of Ulva sp. under varying external N levels, which is important for real-world agricultural applications. This study provides a better understanding of the external N-internal N-biomass triangle leading to an improved dynamic cultivation model, enabling better control of nutrient application and biomass production in macroalgal farming for a sustainable marine bioeconomy.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26388081.2023.2224423Biorefinery feedstockmacroalgae-based bioeconomyNitrogen Use Efficiencyprecision agricultureproduction modelUlva
spellingShingle Meiron Zollmann
Alexander Liberzon
Alexander Golberg
Modeling of growth of the macroalga Ulva sp. in a controlled photobioreactor based on nitrogen accumulation dynamics
Applied Phycology
Biorefinery feedstock
macroalgae-based bioeconomy
Nitrogen Use Efficiency
precision agriculture
production model
Ulva
title Modeling of growth of the macroalga Ulva sp. in a controlled photobioreactor based on nitrogen accumulation dynamics
title_full Modeling of growth of the macroalga Ulva sp. in a controlled photobioreactor based on nitrogen accumulation dynamics
title_fullStr Modeling of growth of the macroalga Ulva sp. in a controlled photobioreactor based on nitrogen accumulation dynamics
title_full_unstemmed Modeling of growth of the macroalga Ulva sp. in a controlled photobioreactor based on nitrogen accumulation dynamics
title_short Modeling of growth of the macroalga Ulva sp. in a controlled photobioreactor based on nitrogen accumulation dynamics
title_sort modeling of growth of the macroalga ulva sp in a controlled photobioreactor based on nitrogen accumulation dynamics
topic Biorefinery feedstock
macroalgae-based bioeconomy
Nitrogen Use Efficiency
precision agriculture
production model
Ulva
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26388081.2023.2224423
work_keys_str_mv AT meironzollmann modelingofgrowthofthemacroalgaulvaspinacontrolledphotobioreactorbasedonnitrogenaccumulationdynamics
AT alexanderliberzon modelingofgrowthofthemacroalgaulvaspinacontrolledphotobioreactorbasedonnitrogenaccumulationdynamics
AT alexandergolberg modelingofgrowthofthemacroalgaulvaspinacontrolledphotobioreactorbasedonnitrogenaccumulationdynamics