Algae Expiration

Most forms of algae we care about are simple, single-celled organisms that respire similarly to most plants. Yet despite algae using CO2 for respiration, the CO2 solution killed all forms of algae we tested within hours: Black Beard, Green Spot, Green Dust, Staghorn, Hair and Diatoms.

Originally, we suspected that the algae death observed was caused by a lack of respiration. That is, the CO2 solution denying a cycle for O2 respiration, followed by an “O2 solution” (aerated water) denying CO2 respiration, killing the algae. 

But algae death occurs far too quickly (<9 hours) for it to be respiratory…