COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FOUR COST EFFECTIVE LABORATORY METHODS FOR QUANTIFICATION OF MICROALGAE BIOMASS IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT WASTEWATER AND NUTRIENT MEDIA

This study explores the practical utility, in terms of cost, correlation, and precision, of four recognized low-cost laboratory techniques in freshwater, seawater and wastewater media. Optical density (A₆₆₅) and dry weight (volatile suspended solids) methods were the most precise and cost effective techniques at $ 1.50/sample and $ 2.65/sample, respectively. Furthermore, these two techniques demonstrated excellent correlation to cell count and chlorophyll a estimation therefore indicating the redundancy of conducting the more expensive alternatives.