Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Fossil fuels are the largest contributors to global climate change, accounting for nearly 75% of total greenhouse gas emissions. A green energy solution can be found in autotrophs, which both sequester carbon in their growth and can be made into biodiesel.Chlorella vulgarishas been studied for lipid extraction and production, both of which were made more efficient through means of culturing the algae in different media and by evaluating the biodiesel produced via IR spectroscopies.Synechococcus,a genus of cyanobacteria that grows prolifically in Conesus Lake, may be an even better source of fuel thanC. vulgarisbecause it grows at a rate nearly twice as fast and is known to be a strong carbon sequester. (This species has not yet been specified, but is believed to be of thevulcanococcusspecies.) With increased inputs of Nitrogen and Phosphorus into lakes from agricultural runoff, the growth ofSynechococcuswas tested with added nutrients in BG-11 media.Synechococcusyield will be compared to previous growth studies. Finally, we will compare our results from the added nutrient trials toSynechococcusgrown in other media and algae to determine which produces the most yield, which correlates to more biodiesels.
Recommended Citation
Mertson, Sarah and Gretzinger, Nicole, "012-Growth of Synechococcus in Varying Nutrient Concentrations" (2024). GREAT Day Posters. 4.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2024/posters-2024/4
012-Growth of Synechococcus in Varying Nutrient Concentrations
Fossil fuels are the largest contributors to global climate change, accounting for nearly 75% of total greenhouse gas emissions. A green energy solution can be found in autotrophs, which both sequester carbon in their growth and can be made into biodiesel.Chlorella vulgarishas been studied for lipid extraction and production, both of which were made more efficient through means of culturing the algae in different media and by evaluating the biodiesel produced via IR spectroscopies.Synechococcus,a genus of cyanobacteria that grows prolifically in Conesus Lake, may be an even better source of fuel thanC. vulgarisbecause it grows at a rate nearly twice as fast and is known to be a strong carbon sequester. (This species has not yet been specified, but is believed to be of thevulcanococcusspecies.) With increased inputs of Nitrogen and Phosphorus into lakes from agricultural runoff, the growth ofSynechococcuswas tested with added nutrients in BG-11 media.Synechococcusyield will be compared to previous growth studies. Finally, we will compare our results from the added nutrient trials toSynechococcusgrown in other media and algae to determine which produces the most yield, which correlates to more biodiesels.