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SARDI Aquatic Sciences
Algal Production Group
supplements, carotenoid pigments as well as industrial
The Algal Production Group’s research is focused on the
development of microalgal and macroalgal feedstocks,
applications such as surfactants and oleoresins. These
programs are funded by industry.
technologies and production systems to underpin and
Macroalgae R & D
sustain the growth of algal biomass industries in Australia.
The Algal Production Group is also actively involved in
Practical and cost effective Algal Production Systems
applied research into macroalgal production systems. In
(APS) are developed for use in aquaculture, food and feed,
2007 the research group developed a partnership with
nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, industrial applications,
carbon and nutrient constrained industry stakeholders to
remediation of nutrient enriched wastewaters, bioenergy
develop efficient macroalgal nutrient scrubbing systems.
and for biofixation of carbon. The group has been engaged
The solution was developed using native macroalgal species
in applied algal research since 2006 continuing to meet the
with high growth rates, environmental tolerance and with
needs of industry and government agencies within the state,
high uptake rates for nitrogen and phosphorus. The research
nationally and internationally. Collaborations with national
project was diversified in 2010 in partnership with eight
international institutions continue to be forged, resulting
industry partners to design and optimise land based raceway
in cutting edge research and development of innovative
production systems to mass culture endemic macroalgal
concepts, technologies and products.
species for food, nutraceuticals, bioactives, cosmeceuticals,
The Algal Production Group also has an active interest
in environmental research pertaining to photosynthetic
organisms. There is currently an active research program on
nutrient physiology of temperate seagrasses, and a strong
focus in quantifying primary productivity of phytoplankton
and microphytobenthos using in situ techniques.
The Algal Production Group is committed to delivering to
its clients, concept design, laboratory testing, proof-ofconcept, pilot, pre-commercial and commercial scale trials.
This is achieved using in-house skills, collaborations and
specialised infrastructure. Engagement with the client
may involve consultancy, research collaboration or ‘fee for
service’ research. The group also manages and operates
fee for service analytical laboratory (see ‘Algae and Biofuels
aquaculture feed and bioremediation of industrial effluents. A
novel outcome of this project was the development of a two
stage protein enrichment strategy in cultivated macroalgae
by media manipulation. This program is ongoing with a
refined focus on food and aquaculture feed.
Seagrass, microphytobenthos and phytoplankton
R&D
The Algal Production Group has quantified nutrient uptake
and developed nutrient budgets for seagrass meadows in
Gulf Saint Vincent (South Australia) and Port Phillip Bay
(Victoria). These studies involved diver deployed benthic
chambers within seagrass meadows using in situ 15N isotope
labelling / spiking to obtain ecologically relevant estimates
of seasonal variability in ammonium and nitrate uptake and
Facility’ capability statement).
allocation of these nutrients into the leaves, roots, epiphytes
Microalgae R & D
these studies enabled us to better understand ecosystem
and phytoplankton in the system. The outcomes from
To meet the longer-term and larger-scale feedstock
processes, develop whole plant nutrient budgets, contribute
requirements, research commenced in 2006 to develop
to the development of whole ecosystem nitrogen models
microalgae-based feedstock production for biofuels and
and assist managers with the formulation of environmental
other high value co-products. Australia has great potential
improvement plans.
for expansion of algal production systems, as it has large
areas of marginal land not suitable for agriculture, large
volumes of saline groundwater and experiences high
solar energy. Microalgae can be cultivated in high rate
algal ponds such as raceways and photobioreactors. Both
technologies are being researched at SARDI for various
species and product streams. The Algal Production Group
at SARDI has also undertaken an extensive bioprospecting
program isolating over 50 native microalgal strains selected
for various attributes. These strains are currently being
maintained in controlled environment conditions at SARDI.
In recent years the research program is focusing on
production of microalgal biomass for nutritional and health
The research on microphytobenthos and phytoplankton
was undertaken in the Coorong and the mouth of the River
Murray, South Australia. The study involved the use of in
situ benthic chambers with oxygen dataloggers to quantify
productivity of microphytobenthic community along a salinity
gradient. Phytoplankton productivity was quantified using the
14
C radiotracer technique. The results fed into an ecosystem
model that led to the development of a decision-support
framework for environmental flow management for the
Coorong, Lower Lakes and River Murray Mouth regions of
the Murray-Darling Basin.
The work on phytoplankton productivity was undertaken
as part of a 24 day voyage in the Southern Ocean
onboard RV Southern Surveyor investigating the role of
submarine canyons in upwelling, sediment transports
and productivity hotspots off the Bonney Coast and
Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Spatial variations in size
fractionated phytoplankton productivity in the upwelling
Advanced Research Projects Administration program.
2009-10: Collaborative project on ‘The metabolic and
genetic optimisation of microalgae for biofuel production’,
funded by the South Australian Department of Further
Education, Employment, Science and Technology.
zones of the two submarine canyons were mapped. The
2007-11: Collaborative project on ‘Large-scale microalgal
output from this study together with other parallel studies
biodiesel feedstock and value added biochemical products
undertaken during the voyage on benthic communities,
for a sustainable South Australian biofuels industry’, funded
fish diversity and hydrodynamics, significantly contributed
by the South Australian Premier Science and Research Fund
to our understanding of the role of submarine canyons
with industry co-investment.
in contributing to primary productivity in the two most
2008: ‘The role of submarine canyons in upwelling, sediment
productive upwelling zones off southern Australia.
transports and productivity hotspots off the Bonney Coast
Current and past projects
and Kangaroo Island, South Australia’, funded by the Marine
2014-ongoing: ‘Cultivation of marine microalgae
National Facility RV Southern Surveyor.
Nannochloropsis salina (CS-190) and Nannochloropsis
2007-08: ‘Evaluation, development and optimisation of
oceanica (CS-702) in outdoor raceways’, funded by industry.
photobioreactor systems for biodiesel production from
This project is currently ongoing.
microalgal feedstocks’, funded by AusIndustry and Australian
2007-ongoing: National Collaborative Research
Renewable Fuels Ltd.
Infrastructure Strategy ‘National Photobioreactor Facility’
2007: A collaborative project on a ‘Pre-feasibility study of
/ ‘Algae and Biofuels Facility’, funded by the Department
the use of a macroalgal phytoremediation system for the
of Education (Australian Government), Department of
treatment of Penrice effluent water’, funded by Penrice Soda
Innovation, Industry, Science & Research (Australian
Products Ltd.
Government) and Department of Further Education,
Employment, Science and Technology (South Australian
Government).
2006-09: ‘Sustainable production of biodiesel from
microalgae utilising saline waters from the salt interception
schemes and saline aquifers in the Lower Murray’, funded
2011-15: Collaborative project with the Victorian Department
by the Center for Natural Resource Management and the
of Primary Industries and five partners on ‘Developing tools
South Australian Department of Water, Land & Biodiversity
for the management of nutrient and sediment interactions
Conservation.
with seagrass ecosystems in Port Phillip Bay’, funded by
the Department of Sustainability and Environment (Victoria
Government).
2012-14: ‘Consultancy for the development of an integrated
mariculture project in Tacloban Province of the Philippines’,
funded by the industry.
2013: ‘Production trials of the wild strain and mutants of
Chloroparva sp. in outdoor raceways for lutein synthesis’,
funded by industry.
2010-12: ‘Development of a sustainable South Australian
macroalgal aquaculture industry’, funded by the South
Australian Premier Science and Research Fund with coinvestment from eight industry partners.
2010-11: ‘Collaborative project with CH2M Hill on ‘Utilisation
of nutrients in wastewater at Melbourne water sewage
treatment plants for algae to energy production’, funded by
Melbourne Water Corporation.
2006-08: ‘Microphytobenthic and phytoplankton productivity
along a salinity gradient in the Coorong and Murray Mouth’,
funded by the CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Fund: Water for
a Healthy Country Flagship.
2004-06: ‘Nutrient fluxes in the meadow forming seagrasses
Posidonia and Amphibolis from the Adelaide metropolitan
coast’, funded by the Adelaide Coastal Water Study.
Relevant publications (Authors in bold are present or part
members of the Algal Production Group)
Microalgal publications
1. Challagulla, V., Fabbro, L. and Nayar, S. 2015. Biomass,
lipid productivity and fatty acid composition of fresh
water microalga Rhopalosolen saccatus cultivated under
phosphorous limited conditions. Algal Research 8: 69-75.
2. Nayar, S., Bott, K. and Braley, M. 2013. Production
trials of the wild strain and the mutants of Chloroparva sp.
in outdoor raceways for lutein synthesis. South Australia
2009-12: ‘A collaborative project on ‘A pilot scale second
Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences),
generation biorefinery for sustainable microalgal biofuels
Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2013/000552-1. SARDI
and value-added products’, funded by the Department of
Research Report Series No. 733. 51 pp.
Resources, Energy and Tourism.
3. Zhang, W., Nayar, S., Franco, C., Clarke, S.R., Aitchison,
2009-11: ‘Development of JP8 surrogates from microalgae’,
T., Trout, N., Tan, L.F., Su, P., Kupke, B., Bott, K., Braley, M,
funded by the US Department of Defence under the Defence
Flink, B. and Tham, R. 2012. Developing a proof-of-concept
facility for microalgal biodiesel feedstock and value-added
Institute Research Report Series Number 233, Adelaide. 56
products to pioneer a sustainable South Australian biofuels
pp.
industry. Final report prepared for the Department of Further
13. Nayar, S., Bott, K., O’Loughlin, E. and Williams, K.
Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST),
2007. Production of biodiesel from microalgae: Historical
Government of South Australia. 218 pp.
overview and challenges. Microalgal Biofuels Group
4. Baxter, K., Elsum, G., Poon, J., Austin, D., Mackie, J.,
Technical Report 1 prepared for AusIndustry and Centre for
Byers, B. and Nayar, S. 2011. Energy balance, utilisation
Natural Resource Management. South Australian Research
of nutrients, and uptake of metals for wastewater from
and Development Institute Research Report Series Number
algae to energy production: An algal bioenergy technology
203, Adelaide. 95 pp.
assessment. Proceedings of the Water Environment
Federation, Energy and Water 2011. p. 374-403.
5. Austin, D., Mackie, B., Byers, S. and Nayar, S. 2011.
Utilisation of nutrients and uptake of metals in wastewater
for algae to energy production: Algal Bioenergy Technology
Macroalgal publications
1. Nayar, S. and Bott, K. 2014. Current status of global
cultivated seaweed production and markets. World
Aquaculture 45(2): 32-37.
Assessment; Final Report prepared for Melbourne Water
2. Nayar, S. and Froese, F. 2013. Are biofuels from
Corporation. CH2M Hill Australia Pty Ltd, Melbourne. 77 pp.
seaweeds a viable proposition? – Bioeconomic modelling
6. Zhang, W., Nayar, S., Franco, C., Clarke, S.R., Capelle,
E., Aitchison, T., Trout, N., Tan, L.F., Su, P., Kupke, B.,
of biogas production and co-generation in an Australian
context. Biofuels 4: 371-378.
Bott, K., Braley, M., Clarke, S., Thomas, R. and Tham, R.
3. Knott, J., Bott, K., Froese, F., Gurgel, C. and Nayar, S.
2011. Developing a proof-of-concept facility for microalgal
2012. Commercial potential of macroalgal culture: A review.
biodiesel feedstock and value-added products to pioneer
A report prepared for the Department of Further Education,
a sustainable South Australian biofuels industry. Second
Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST), Government
annual progress report prepared for the Department of
of South Australia. 60 pp.
Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology
4. Nayar, S., Clarke, S.C., Stone, D., Gurgel, C., Qin, J.G.,
(DFEEST), Government of South Australia. 23 pp.
Bott, K., Knott, J., Rodda, K. and Bansemer, M. 2012.
7. Zhang, W., Nayar, S., Franco, C., Clarke, S.R., Capelle,
Development of a Sustainable South Australian Macroalgal
E., Aitchison, T., Trout, N., Tan, L.F., Su, P., Kupke, B., Bott,
Aquaculture Industry. First annual progress report prepared
K., Braley, M., Clarke, S., Thomas, R., Rasmussen, P., and
for the Department of Further Education, Employment,
Tham, R. 2010. Developing a proof-of-concept facility for
Science and Technology (DFEEST), Government of South
microalgal biodiesel feedstock and value-added products
Australia. 175 pp.
to pioneer a sustainable South Australian biofuels industry.
5. Cheshire, A. and Nayar, S. 2008. A pre-feasibility study
Second annual progress report prepared for the Department
of the use of a macroalgal phytoremediation system for the
of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology
treatment of Penrice effluent water. Prefeasibility report
(DFEEST), Government of South Australia. 18 pp.
prepared for Penrice Soda Holdings Ltd, Adelaide. 26 pp.
8. Nayar, S., Bays, J. and Austin, D. 2010. Utilisation of
Environmental research - seagrass and phytoplankton
nutrients for algal energy production: Data gap analysis
publications
review. Technical Memorandum 1A prepared for Melbourne
Water. CH2M Hill, Melbourne. 8 pp.
9. Nayar, S., Bays, J. and Austin, D. 2010. Preliminary list
of endemic and non-endemic algal strains for bioenergy
applications. Technical Memorandum 1B prepared for
Melbourne Water. CH2M Hill, Melbourne. 33 pp.
10. Fernández, W., Bergvall-Kåreborn, B., Djordjevic, M.,
Lovegrove, K. and Nayar, S. 2009. Using design as a
boundary spanning object in climate change mitigation
projects. Australasian Journal of Information Systems 16:
51-69.
11. Bott, K. and Nayar, S. 2008. Biodiesel from microalgae.
Issues Magazine 84: 39-41.
12. Nayar, S. and Williams, K. 2007. Microalgal biodiesel
production initiatives in the USA, Europe, India and China:
A travel report. Microalgal Biofuels Group Technical Report
2 prepared for AusIndustry and Centre for Natural Resource
Management. South Australian Research and Development
1. Nayar, S. and Bott, K. 2015. Uptake and translocation
of ammonium and nitrate by temperate seagrass Zostera
nigricaulis in Port Phillip Bay. South Australian Research and
Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI
Publication No. F2014/000665-1. SARDI Research Report
Series No. 819. 51 pp.
2. Patterson, J.S., Nayar, S., Mitchell, J.G. and Seuront,
L. 2013. Population-specific shifts in viral and microbial
abundance within a cryptic upwelling. Journal of Marine
Systems 113-114: 52-61.
3. Nayar, S., Collings, G., Pfennig, P. and Royal, M. 2012.
Managing nitrogen into seagrass meadows near a coastal
city: Flow-on from research to Environmental Improvement
Plans. Marine Pollution Bulletin 64: 932-940.
4. Currie, D., McClatchie, S., Middleton, J. and Nayar,
S. 2012. Biophysical factors affecting the distribution of
demersal fish around the head of a submarine canyon off the
Bonney Coast, South Australia. PlosOne 7: 1-16.
5. Patterson, J.S., Nayar, S., Mitchell, J.G. and Seuront,
from the Adelaide metropolitan coastline. ACWS Technical
L. 2012. A local upwelling controls viral and microbial
Report No. 11 prepared for the Adelaide Coastal Waters
community structure within South Australian continental
Study Steering Committee. South Australian Research and
shelf waters. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 96: 197-
Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences) Publication No.
208.
RD01/0208-16, Adelaide. 118 pp.
6. Nayar, S., Collings, G.J. Miller, D.J., Bryars, S. and
14. Bryars, S., Collings, G., Nayar, S., Westphalen, G., Miller,
Cheshire, A.C. 2010. Uptake and resource allocation of
D., O’Loughlin, E., Fernandes, M., Mount, G., Tanner, J.,
ammonium and nitrate in temperate seagrasses Posidonia
Wear, R., Eglinton, Y. and Cheshire, A. 2006. Assessments
and Amphibolis. Marine Pollution Bulletin 60: 1502-1511.
of the effects of inputs to the Adelaide coastal waters on
7. Nayar, S., Collings, G.J. Miller, D.J., Bryars, S. and
the meadow forming seagrasses Amphibolis and Posidonia.
Cheshire, A.C. 2009. Uptake and allocation of inorganic
Task EP1 Final technical Report. ACWS Technical Report No.
carbon by temperate seagrasses Amphibolis and Posidonia.
15 prepared for the Adelaide Coastal Waters Study Steering
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 373:
Committee. South Australian Research and Development
87-95.
Institute (Aquatic Sciences) Publication No. RD01/0208-19,
8. Brookes, J.D., Lamontagne, S., Aldridge, K. T., Benger.
Adelaide. 48 pp.
S., Bissett, A., Bucater, L., Cheshire, A.C., Cook, P.L.M.,
Staff
Deegan, B.M., Dittmann, S., Fairweather, P.G., Fernandes,
When required, the Algal Production Group can draw on
M.B., Ford, P.W., Geddes, M.C., Gillanders, B.M. , Grigg,
additional research capabilities from SARDI staff from other
N.J., Haese, R.R., Krull, E., Langley, R.A., Lester, R.E., Loo,
strategic research areas of Aquatic Sciences and other
M., Munro, A.R., Noell, C.J., Nayar, S., Paton, D.C., Revill,
divisions of SARDI. SARDI also has a strategic relationship
A.T., Rogers, D.J., Rolston, A., Sharma. S.K., Short, D.A.,
with a number of universities and companies which can
Tanner, J.E., Webster, I.T., Wellman, N.R. and Ye, Q. 2009. An
respectively be used to provide additional research capability
Ecosystem Assessment Framework to Guide Management of
and commercialisation strategies.
the Coorong. Final Report of the CLLAMMecology Research
Cluster. CSIRO: Water for a Healthy Country National
Dr Sasi Nayar
Research Flagship, Canberra. 47 pp.
Sub-program Leader, Algal Production Systems &
9. Nayar, S. and Loo, M.G.K. 2009. Phytoplankton and
Facility Manager, Algae and Biofuels Facility
phytobenthic productivity along a salinity gradient in the
Dr Sasi Nayar leads the Algal Production Group and manages
Coorong and Murray Mouth. CSIRO: Water for a Healthy
the NCRIS Algae Biofuels Facility at the South Australian
Country National Research Flagship and South Australian
Research and Development Institute – Aquatic Sciences
Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences)
located at West Beach in Adelaide. He has a PhD in Marine
Publication No. F2009/000263-1, Adelaide. 19 pp.
Ecology and Ecotoxicology from the National University of
10. Fox, D.R., Batley, G.E., Blackburn, D., Bone, Y., Bryars,
S., Cheshire, A., Collings, G., Ellis, D., Fairweather, P.,
Fallowfield, H., Harris, G., Henderson, B., Kaempf, J.,
Nayar, S., Pattiaratchi, C., Petrusevics, P., Townsend, M.,
Westphalen, G., Wilkinson, J. 2007. Adelaide Coastal Waters
Study –Final report Volume 1: Summary of study findings
Novermber 2007. Report prepared for the South Australian
Environmental Protection Authority. Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research Organisation, Adelaide. 53 pp.
11. Nayar, S., Miller, D., Bryars, S. and Cheshire, A.C. 2006.
A simple, inexpensive and large volume pore water sampler
for sandy and muddy substrates. Estuarine, Coastal and
Shelf Science 66: 298-302.
Singapore (2003) and a Masters degree in Fisheries Science
from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
(1998). He has over 20 years’ experience in handling
ecological research projects in mangroves, coral reefs,
estuarine reefs, seagrass meadows, coastal and oceanic
waters in the tropics and temperate environment. He has
published 30 peer reviewed international journal papers,
16 of them on algal biology and ecology, 17 research
reports, 11 popular science articles and a book chapter.
As a principal investigator, he has been successful in
attracting greater than $30 million in grants from Federal
and State governments, and industry for 17 projects. He
has played a key role in securing $5 million from state
and federal governments to design and develop the NCRIS
12. Nayar, S., Collings, G., Miller, D. and Bryars, S. 2006.
Photobioreactor Facility (now called the Algae and Biofuels
Nutrient fluxes in the meadow forming seagrasses Posidonia
Facility) at SARDI, a unique state-of-the-art national facility.
and Amphibolis from the Adelaide metropolitan coast.
ACWS Technical Report No. 13 prepared for the Adelaide
Dr Liu Ge
Coastal Waters Study Steering Committee. South Australian
Aquatic Biochemist, Algae and Biofuels Facility
Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences)
Dr Liu Ge brings to this program expertise in natural
Publication No. RD01/0208-18, Adelaide. 75 pp.
products chemistry. He has considerable experience in
13. Collings, G., Bryars, S., Nayar, S., Miller, D., Lill, J. and
isolation and structure elucidation of bioactive chemical
O’Loughlin, E. 2006. Elevated nutrient responses of the
constituents using sophisticated techniques such as gas
meadow forming seagrasses Amphibolis and Posidonia,
and liquid chromatography (GC, HPLC), mass spectrometry,
and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). His research at
based support to numerous projects, data entry/database
the University of Adelaide led to the development of a dried
management and writing scientific literature.
blood spot technique for determining the omega-3 fatty acid
status from capillary blood which has been patented. He has
Ms Sonja Hoare
also worked for large pharmaceutical companies developing
Research Officer, Algae and Biofuels Facility
and optimising manufacturing processes for various
Ms Sonja Hoare has worked on temperate marine
pharmaceutical products. Dr Liu Ge has published 4 papers
ecosystems since 1998, gaining valuable skills and
in international peer review journals.
experience in a variety of areas. She obtained a Bachelor
of Science in Environmental Science (Marine Biology)
Mr Kriston Bott
at Flinders University. Since this time, she has been
Senior Technical Officer (Algal Culture), Algal
undertaking research activities for various programs
Production Group
within SARDI Aquatic Sciences. Much of this work has
Mr Kriston Bott has a Bachelor of Applied Science with a
been focused on the assessment and monitoring of South
major in Aquaculture from James Cook University. During
Australia’s marine habitats and has been carried out in
his time with SARDI he has provided technical assistance
estuarine and marine systems within South Australia’s
on numerous research projects including shellfish health,
gulfs, coasts, bays and rivers. She is currently responsible
bivalve genetics, abalone selective breeding and microalgal
for managing the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
production for biodiesel. Mr Bott is also involved with various
undertaking analyses of algal pigments, dissolved inorganic
aspects of microalgae culture, both batch and continuous
nutrients, sediment granulometry and total nitrogen-carbon-
production systems. He has managed the SARDI aquaculture
sulphur in sediment, water and biological samples.
microalgae photobioreactor and marine microalgal culture
collection for over 3 years. He is a co-author on 8 journal
articles published in peer reviewed international journals.
Mr Bott brings to this group significant experience in
management of microalgal culture facilities and running the
physiological experiments under controlled conditions.
Ms Michelle Braley
Technical Officer (Algal Culture), Algal Production
Group &
Laboratory Manager, Algae and Biofuels Facility
Ms Michelle Braley has worked on temperate marine
ecosystems since 2005, gaining valuable skills and
experience in a variety of areas including Marine
Environment & Ecology, Fisheries & Inland Waters and
Contact:
Catchment Ecology. She obtained a Bachelor of Science at
Dr Sasi Nayar
Flinders University and Honours in Marine Ecology at the
Phytoplankton Biologist and
University of Adelaide. For the past two years, Ms Braley
Sub-program Leader
has worked as a Research Services Officer in environmental
Algal Production Group
chemistry for the Marine Environment & Ecology Program.
SARDI Aquatic Sciences
In this role she focused on marine environmental chemistry,
PO Box 120, Henley Beach
providing support to numerous projects primarily in
SA 5022, Australia
the context of assessing environmental impacts (e.g.
Tel: +61 8 8207 5321
Aquaculture, Spatial Footprint of Wastewater) and risk
Fax: + 61 8 8207 5481
assessment of exotic marine pests (e.g. Caulerpa). From
Mobile: 0428 542 101
this she has developed skills in preparing and analysing
Email: sasi.nayar@sa.gov.au
sediments, water and biological samples for organic content
Web: www.pir.sa.gov.au
and composition, nutrient levels and sediment particle
size distribution. She also has experience in providing field