ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE AND pH TOLERANCE OF INDUCED CO₂ IN ULVA RIGIDA C. AGARDH, 1823 (CHLOROPHYTA) UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS

A. O. Amosu^{1, 2 *}, D. V. Robertson-Andersson³, G. W. Maneveldt¹, J. L. Knapp⁴, L. Auersward⁵ and J. J. Bolton⁶

¹Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa.

²Current Address: Department of Agricultural Science, Lagos State University of Education, Otto/Ijanikin, PMB 007 Festac Town, Lagos, Nigeria.

³School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Westville, Durban 4000, South Africa.

⁴Department of Animal Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

⁵Branch Fisheries, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cape Town, South Africa.

⁶Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.

*Corresponding author’s email: aquatobi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The increase in integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), where seaweed (particularly Ulva rigida C. Agardh, 1823) is used as a feedstock and a wastewater scrubber in South African IMTA systems, has necessitated research into seaweed growth rates, which has subsequently increased production technologies. Seaweed growth can be increased by controlling the culture media. One of the means to control growth rate is through CO₂ gas addition to culture media via aeration. This has the potential added benefit of using waste CO₂ production from an alternative source to decrease overall carbon dioxide emissions. The consequence of elevated CO₂ concentration on the pH of culture medium and the equivalent functional reactions in the seaweed were examined using U. rigida in flow-through systems. Toxicity investigation of Hydrogen ion concentrations were carried out on U. rigida to examine their anatomy cum functional differences arising due to CO₂ exerted stress. Elevated CO₂ levels and the accompanying decrease in culture media pH (4.71 – 6.67) lead to a significant decrease in biomass with varied sporulation activities. In addition, U. rigida in flow-through systems showed a gradual degeneration in specific growth rate, from day 7, at varying rates until the end of the experiment in the following sequence pH 7.20 > 8.20 > 7.50 > 7.80. The treatment set at pH 7.20 yielded the greatest specific biomass and the greatest produce. The cultured input stocking rate of 5 g.l^-1 of seawater proved to be suitable for cultivation. The pH toxicity reaction was significant in predicting the suitability of seaweed cultured under CO₂ induced concentrations.