Desarrollo de sistemas de cultivo de algas verdes Ulva spp. en manglares ecuatorianos

Abstract

The uses of macroalgae had been studied worldwide. It is used as food, remediator, fuel, fertilizer, medicine, and others. Ecuador’s coasts have around 167 macroalgae species but its biomass remains mostly unused due to ignorance of seaweed’s benefits and the lack of resources for its farming. This study aims to develop systems that grow green macroalgae in mangrove shores. The development of macroalgae farming in Ecuador would take advantage of an abundant but unused resource and provide an income source to local fishing communities. We built 2 farming systems, 1 net-like and 1 line-like, out of rope and PVC pipes, measuring 1.5 x 3 meters long. Systems were then placed in “El Morro” wildlife refuge, suspended by 6 m canes buried in the mangrove shore. Harvesting was done every 21 days, after which the wet and dry biomass was measured to calculate each systems’ productivity. Our results for the first harvest identified the green algae Ulva intestinalis and showed that the net-like system was the most efficient with a productivity of 0.98 g/m2 /d, compared to the line-like with a productivity of 0.22 g/m2 /d, although it takes 4 times more to harvest. Concluding that net system is more efficient in biomass production. Systems resulted a practical, economic, and effective tool for algae adherence and growing, in well illuminated and low total dissolved solids zones.