Evaluation of the suitable environmental conditions for selected freshwater microalgae species with the potential for the production of biodiesel

Abstract

The importance of using renewable green energies is being debated globally since harmful effects due to continuous combustion of fossil fuels have been realized. Biodiesel is one of the substitutions for fossil fuels. Production of biodiesel from microalgae is categorized under third generation biofuels which are considered to be viable alternative energy resources. This study was focused on investigating growth kinetics of freshwater microalgae, cultivated in synthetic wastewater under laboratory conditions in order to identify the species with the highest potential for the production of biodiesel. Three freshwater microalgal species were isolated from water samples collected from two reservoirs, Victoria reservoir in Central Province (7˚ 14ˊ N, 80˚ 47ˊ E) and Ulhitiya reservoir in Uva Province (7˚ 27ˊ N, 81˚ 3ˊ E) of Sri Lanka. Light intensity, aeration and temperature were varied during the cultivation of algal species in a synthetic wastewater medium. According to the results, Chlorella sp. showed the highest growth rate compared to Monoraphidium sp. and Scenedesmus sp. under all three environmental conditions provided.

Keywords

• biodiesel, microalgae, growth kinetics, wastewater