Method of facilitating or inhibiting growth of specific microorganisms
A method of exposing microorganisms to a condition wherein the condition facilitates or inhibits growth of a specific species of microorganisms or a specific consortium of microorganisms. The condition may also stimulate microorganisms to uptake a pollutant from a fluid and/or release the pollutant. Furthermore, the microorganisms may also be harvested and used as a foodstuff for human and animal consumption.
1. A method of facilitating or inhibiting growth of a species or consortium of microorganisms, the method comprising:
providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing a first fluid, and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and at least one moving belt operably configured to directly travel through both the first fluid and the second fluid;
growing microorganisms using the growing apparatus;
exposing the microorganisms to the first fluid within the first reservoir, wherein the microorganisms are exposed to a first condition;
exposing the microorganisms to light and air outside of the first reservoir; and
exposing the microorganisms to the second fluid, wherein the microorganisms are exposed to a second condition;
wherein one or more of the first condition or the second condition:
facilitates growth of a desirable species or consortium of microorganisms, or
inhibits growth of an undesirable species or consortium of microorganisms.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid contains a pollutant, the first condition stimulates the microorganisms to uptake the pollutant from the first fluid, and the second condition stimulates the microorganisms to release the pollutant.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, after exposing the microorganisms to the second fluid, exposing the microorganisms to the first fluid again.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one moving belt comprises a coating.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one moving belt moves in a continuous manner.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microorganisms are algae, bacteria, fungi, or a combination thereof.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition is an elevated temperature compared to the first condition.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition is an elevated temperature within a range of 30-90 degrees Celsius.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition is an illumination using increased light intensity.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition is exposure to a sorbent material.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition is radiation.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition is an elevated pH compared to the first condition.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition is a salt.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition is an organic chemical.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the organic chemical is not present in the first fluid.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition is an inorganic chemical.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition includes hormones.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition includes growth stimulants.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second condition includes antimicrobials.
20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising harvesting the microorganisms.
21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the growing apparatus further comprises a third reservoir containing a third fluid, the method further comprising:
exposing the microorganisms to the third fluid, wherein the microorganisms are exposed to a third condition,
wherein one or more of the first condition, the second condition, or the third condition:
facilitates growth of the desirable species or consortium of microorganisms, or
inhibits growth of the undesirable species or consortium of microorganisms.