ASU Gets USDA Research Grant to Study Algal Crop Failure

The Arizona State University (ASU) (United States) obtained a research grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study the factors involved in algal crop failure. Algae (particularly marine algae) are sometimes known as the "third generation biofuel feedstock". The oil from the cultivated algae is usually processed into biodiesel fuel. During large scale mass-cultivations of algae, crop failures occur, resulting in productivity and economic losses.

One of the main causes for algal crop failure is contamination by predatory zooplankton. Although cultivation under extreme, environmentally selective conditions (to prevent zooplankton growth) can be a strategy for reducing contamination, there are not too many strains of algae which can thrive under such extreme conditions.

The University of Arizona website explains the team's research strategy as follows: (1) survey of zooplankton contamination in commercial algal production systems, as well as in ASU's own algae test-bed facilities, (2) determination of living and non-living influencers on zooplankton, aiming at developing an empirical model for assessment and prediction of potential impact of zooplankton contamination on overall algal culture stability and biomass production potential. A "Best Management Practices Plan" will be one of the outputs of the study. A rapid, sensitive monitoring and an early warning system will also be developed using state-of-the-art bio-imaging and DNA fingerprinting techniques.