SGER: The Effect of Small-Scale Fluid Motion on Growth and Aggregate Formation of Freshwater Algae

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0127887HondzoThe objective of this research is to investigate the growth dynamics of the green alga Selenastrum capricornutum and the blue-green alga Synechococcus leopoliensis in a well-defined flow system. This research will test the hypothesis that the growth and aggregate formation of these algae depends not only on optimal water temperature, light regime, and nutrients, but also on hydrodynamic mixing conditions. To test this hypothesis, experimental studies of these algae will be conducted under laminar, turbulent, and turbulent-intermittent fluid flow conditions in order to characterize the growth, aggregate formation and morphometry as functions of intrinsic fluid flow parameters. Fluid flow conditions will be generated using both a rotating cylinder apparatus and an oscillating grid apparatus. This research could provide data for improved model development for the prediction of alga blooms in freshwater systems.