Autonomous Benthic Algal Cultivator Under Feedback Control of Ecosystem Metabolism

作者：Blersch David M^*; Kangas Patrick C; Mulbry Walter

来源：Environmental Engineering Science, 2013, 30(2): 53-60.

DOI：10.1089/ees.2012.0045

• automation
• benthic algal cultivation
• ecosystem metabolism
• feedback control
• net primary production
• technoecosystem
• turbulence

An autonomous technoecological hybrid was developed that controls primary production of algae in a laboratory-scale cultivator. The technoecosystem was based on a benthic algal cultivator that combined engineered feedback control programming with ecosystem-level feedback parameters. The feedback control system was designed to measure primary production of benthic algal turf through continuous pH monitoring and then automatically manipulate flow turbulence to optimize for maximum productivity. Results showed that the system converged on optimum productivity at the lowest level of turbulence, a state of optimum efficiency for power acquisition as predicted for self-organizing systems. Observations on species composition of the dominant algae showed shifting relative abundance of species for automated feedback trials, suggesting that certain species contribute to system organization through interfacing with the feedback control system. This work presents an original design for an experimental technoecosystem, and has the impact of advancing an experimental concept for testing principles of organization for self-organizing systems.

• 出版日期2013-2