Tonia Príncipe ( Ph.D. student):DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESSES FOR MONITORING, TREATING AND MANAGING WATER INPUTS AND OUTPUTS IN THE FIELD OF MICROALGAE AQUACULTURE. AIM AND PRELIMINARY STUDIES

Microalgae aquaculture activity in the Canary Islands is strictly controlled. Apart from regulating which microalgae species can actually be cultivated and how, the local legislation also establishes standards for the quality of the aquaculture process water. However, no monitoring plans for microbiological and physical-chemical characteristics of the water outputs (resulting from microalgae biomass processing) are currently available to support companies in complying with the requirements. Additionally, protocols to evaluate the quality of the water inputs, which is critical to ensure optimal conditions for microalgae cultivation, are also currently missing.
This PhD research aims to develop and implement reliable protocols and reproducible processes for monitoring, treating and managing of water inputs and outputs from microalgae aquaculture activity using the facilities of the Canarian Institute of Technology as a case study. In a first stage, a three-year long monitoring plan for microbiological and physical-chemical characteristics of four types of waters inputs (freshwater, tap water, seawater and desalination brine) was designed in order to guarantee production of high-quality microalgae biomass and assess the efficiency of selected water treatment systems at pilot scale in an operational environment.
The development of specific monitoring plans is expected to provide companies with appropriate tools to control the quality of inputs waters and consequently optimize microalgae production.