Dark hydrogen production by a green microalga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii UTEX 90

The production of hydrogen by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii UTEX 90, a marine green alga, was performed under dark fermentation. The effects of initial nitrogen and phosphorus concentration on the cell growth and the production of hydrogen and organic substances were investigated. In the growth stage, the maximum dry cell weight (DCW) was 3 g/l when the initial ammonium concentration was 15 mM. In the dark fermentation, the maximum hydrogen production was 3.5 μmol/ mg DCW when the initial nitrogen concentration was 7.5 mM. The nitrogen concentration had a greater effect on organic compound and hydrogen production than the phosphorus concentration during the dark fermentation. An investigation of the duration of dark fermentation showed that, at least until three days, dark fermentation should be prolonged for maximum hydrogen production.