Return to top of page. Traditional microalgae production methods Microalgae have long been grown under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Temperature, pH and other important variables can be well controlled. The laboratory photobioreactor is closed to keep out unwanted contaminants. The scale is achieved, but control is not.
Ponds are open to the atmosphere.
Many variables, like temperature, cannot be well controlled. Contaminants can easily invade these open systems. After decades of experimenting in open ponds, only a few microalgae have been grown successfully. These are species that can thrive in harsh environments that are hostile to competing species. Thousands of microalgae have been grown at small scale in the laboratory, so we know they can be grown under controlled conditions.