The Phosphate Absorption Rates of Hydralife's Phytoplankton: To Inhibit the Development Of Toxic Algae / Cyanobacteria / Harmful Algae Blooms / HABs / Blue-Green Algae

The following includes phosphate consumption for some of our phytoplanktons. These phytoplanktons were selected because they are safe and healthy for your aquatic ecosystem, excellent food for zooplankton and have high consumption rates of phosphate including the ability to utilize luxury uptake which impedes the development of toxic algae and other nuisance algae. Phosphate is the primary fertilizer to facilitate a toxic algae bloom (cyanobacteria). With beneficial phytoplankton, you can fight bad algae by utilizing good algae instead of algaecides or chemicals.

Chlorella Vulgaris

Phosphorus Removal

Phosphorus, often the limiting nutrient in freshwater ecosystems, is strong target for chlorella's efficient uptake mechanisms. C. vulgaris absorbs phosphorus primarily as orthophosphate (PO₄³⁻), incorporating it into cellular components including nucleic acids, phospholipids, and ATP.

Chlorella can remove phosphorus at rates of 1-10 mg per gram of biomass per day, depending on initial phosphorus concentrations and growth conditions. Studies have documented removal efficiencies of 70-90% of total phosphorus from wastewater and agricultural runoff within several days of exposure to chlorella cultures.

Chlorella Vulgaris also has the ability to consume and store more phosphate than it needs to grow through polyphosphate chains. This ability is commonly referred to as luxury uptake.

A Hydralife Solutions bucket containing hundreds of gallons of concentrated beneficial phytoplankton to innoculate your lake and consume phosphate to naturally impede the growth of toxic algae.

Scenedesmus

Phosphorus Removal Rates: Scenedesmus can remove 80-95% of available phosphorus from water under optimal conditions, with uptake rates typically ranging from 5-15 mg/L/day. The algae stores phosphorus as polyphosphate granules, which can constitute up to 3-4% of its dry weight.

Luxury Uptake: Scenedesmus exhibits "luxury uptake" of phosphorus, meaning it can absorb and store more phosphorus than immediately needed for growth. This characteristic enhances its effectiveness as a bioremediator, as it continues removing phosphorus even when cellular requirements are met.

Selenastrum

Phosphorus Consumption

Phosphorus is essential for Selenastrum growth, needed for DNA, RNA, ATP, and phospholipid synthesis. The alga demonstrates efficient phosphorus uptake:

Orthophosphate (PO₄³⁻): Selenastrum can remove 1-5 mg/L of phosphate-phosphorus per day under optimal growth conditions. At low phosphorus concentrations, the algae exhibits luxury uptake, storing excess phosphorus as polyphosphate granules for future use.

Nitrogen-to-Phosphorus Ratios: Selenastrum typically maintains cellular N:P ratios between 10:1 and 20:1 by mass, though this can vary with environmental conditions. This means that for every gram of phosphorus removed, the alga simultaneously removes approximately 10-20 grams of nitrogen.

Ankistrodesmus 

Phosphorus Uptake

Phosphorus uptake rates typically range from 0.1 to 1 mg PO₄³⁻-P per gram of algae per hour under nutrient-sufficient conditions. During exponential growth, phosphorus can comprise 1-3% of the algae's dry weight. Importantly, Ankistrodesmus can also store excess phosphorus in polyphosphate granules, a process called "luxury uptake," allowing it to remove phosphorus beyond its immediate growth requirements.

This phosphorus removal capability is particularly valuable because excess phosphorus is a primary driver of eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in freshwater bodies. By effectively sequestering phosphorus, Ankistrodesmus helps maintain balanced aquatic ecosystems.

Nannochloropsis Limnetica:

Phosphorus Uptake

Uptake Rates: Nannochloropsis species typically demonstrate phosphorus uptake rates of 0.01-0.03 grams per gram of biomass per day. While this may seem modest compared to nitrogen, it's important to remember that phosphorus requirements for algae growth are significantly lower, with typical N:P ratios around 16:1 (the Redfield ratio).

Luxury Uptake: N. limnetica can engage in luxury consumption of phosphorus, storing excess phosphate in cellular compartments as polyphosphate granules when concentrations are high. This stored phosphorus can then support growth during periods of phosphorus limitation.

Chlamydomonas: 

Phosphorus Removal

Phosphorus is the critical nutrient that Chlamydomonas removes from water efficiently. This is important because phosphorus is the limiting nutrient to toxic algae blooms and nuisance algae. Therefore, when phosphorous is utilized by a good algae instead of a toxic cyanobacteria we can essentially feed zooplankton while inhibiting the development of harmful algae blooms. Chlamydomonas phytoplankton require phosphorus for energy metabolism, DNA synthesis, and cell membrane structure. Chlamydomonas cells typically contain 0.5% to 1% phosphorus by dry weight and can achieve phosphorus removal rates of 0.01 to 0.05 mg per billion cells per hour under favorable conditions.

The algae's ability to store excess phosphorus as polyphosphate granules allows them to remove more phosphorus than immediately needed, providing a buffer against future scarcity and enhancing their water purification capacity.