Start
Jan 23, 2014 - 17:00
End
Jan 23, 2014 - 18:00
Venue
Creativity Hall (Room 118) Chemical Engineering
Event Type
Speaker
Prof John Beardall Professor of Biology School of Biological Sciences Monash University Australia
Title
Limits to phototrophic growth in dense Algal cultures: CO_2 supply and light.
Abstract: Recent years have seen tremendous advances in the use of algae as sources of fine chemicals and in particular as a source of lipids for biofuel. All systems that are utilized for mass culture of algal biomass are subject to some fundamental constraints either from the intrinsic properties of cells or due to extrinsic factors especially light and CO_2 availability. In this talk I will assess some of the intrinsic limitations to photoautotrophic growth of algae and then consider in detail the ways in which light and CO_2 supply can constrain growth and product yield in algal mass cultures. I also describe the various approaches that have been used to overcome these constraints by manipulating the physiological performance of algae or the operational parameters of culture systems.I will also discuss the likely efficacy of and problems with schemes for promoting biological CO_2 sequestration by ‘ocean fertilization’ as well as the implications of global climate change for more controlled and established processes for using microalgal mass culture for CO_2 bioremediation.Biosketch: John Beardall is currently a professor at School of Biological Sciences Monash University Australia. He received his bachelor's and doctoral degrees from University of London. He has held several positions including a Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at the Università Politecnica delle Marche Ancona Italy in 2004 a Visiting Professor at the University of Xiamen China and at University of Malaya. He was the Tennant Lecturer in the Department of Botany at the University of Otago New Zealand in 2006 Professor Beardall is a recognized leader in physiology and biochemistry of aquatic plants and algae. He has a broad range of interests in plant science and has published extensively on /inter alia/ photosynthesis respiratory metabolism nutrient transport and energetics. He is also co-author of a textbook on plant biochemistry. He has a high research output for the field (>120 international journal articles and book chapters) and has also interacted strongly with industry having written 11 substantial reports for various organizations. Professor Beardall is an expert in algal photosynthesis and carbon assimilation. His main interests at present relate to understanding the likely impacts of global change on phytoplankton and seaweeds and on the productivity of the oceans. He also has interests in the use of algae for nutraceuticals and biodiesel production and as agents for bioremediation of metal-contaminated waters.