An investigation onto Cd toxicity to freshwater microalga Chlorella sorokiniana in mixotrophy and photoautotrophy: A Bayesian approach.

Aquatic ecosystems are composed by a myriad of dissolved organic materials that can be assimilated by microalgae, while they can perform photosynthesis, this is refereed as mixotrophy. However, ecotoxicological tests usually consider only the photoautotrophic metabolism. This research investigated the ecotoxicological differences between photoautotrophy and mixotrophy in Chlorella sorokiniana exposed to cadmium (Cd).

Physiological and Ecological Aspects of Chlorella sorokiniana (Trebouxiophyceae) Under Photoautotrophic and Mixotrophic Conditions.

Mixotrophy is a metabolic strategy in which an organism is autotrophic and heterotrophic simultaneously. Considering that the aquatic environment provides several organic sources of carbon, it is probably common for microalgae to perform mixotrophy and not only photoautotrophy, but little is known about microalgae mixotrophy. The present work aimed at investigating the growth, photosynthetic activity, morphology, and biochemical composition of the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana in mixotrophic and photo-mixotrophic conditions, comparing it with photoautotrophy.

Microalgae population dynamics in photobioreactors with secondary sewage effluent as culture medium.

Nitrogen and phosphorus present in sewage can be used for microalgae growth, possibiliting cost reduction in the production of microalgae at the same time that it decreases the eutrophication potential of the effluent. This research aimed at monitoring the native community of microalgae and coliform bacteria in a secondary effluent from anaerobic municipal sewage treatment. Two treatments (aerated and non-aerated) were performed to grow microalgae under semi-controlled conditions in semi-closed photobioreactors in a greenhouse.