Light management strategies to maximize Ulva productivity in Imtaras systems

The integration of fish farms with seaweed in recirculation systems is a promising line of action for the diversification and sustainability of aquaculture, and will contribute to the reduction, use and recovery of waste and by-products. The incident irradiance on the surface of the seaweed cultures, expressed as µmol of photosynthetic photons per square meter and second (µmol m-2 s-1), is frequently the determining factor in the growth and photoinhibition processes, and one of the main challenges to increase the productivity and reduce the land surface required for seaweed production in the IMTA-RAS system. The engineering of these IMTA-RAS systems has been studied (UlvaPRO Subproject 2, https://futur.upc. edu/25161329?locale=en), emphasizing the adequate management of light in algae culture tanks to obtain the best macroalgae production, both from the quantitative and qualitative point of view. Here we presented the main results obtained in an IMTA-RAS system (S. senegalensis-Ulva ohnoi). The studies conducted included: -The distribution of light in seaweed tanks in function on irradiance, stocking densities and chlorophyll content of the Ulva; -The effects of light distribution on growth and photoinhibition processes in Ulva; -The effects of light distribution on nutritional quality and food safety of the Ulva
Postprint (published version)