Comparison of oxygen and carbon dioxide balances in HRAP (high-rate algal ponds)

Abstract

We previously suggested a method to characterize the oxygen balance in High-Rate Algal Ponds (HRAPs). The method was based on a hydrodynamic study of the reactor combined with a tracer gas method to measure the oxygen transfer coefficient. From such a method diurnal variations of photosynthesis and respiration can be quantified and the net oxygen production rate determined. In this paper we propose a similar approach to obtain carbon dioxide balances in HRAPs. Then oxygen and carbon dioxide balances can be compared.