A simple approach for the efficient production of hydrogen from Taihu Lake Microcystis spp. blooms.

The death and subsequent decomposition of algal blooms is capable of depleting dissolved O2 to anaerobic levels, and this can de-inactivate hydrogenases. Inspired by this fact, a simple method for efficient H2 production from algal bloom biomass was developed. Direct transfer of Taihu Lake Microcystis spp. blooms into dark conditions resulted in H2 evolution, and yield was much greater than compared to Microcystis spp. cultured in the laboratory and reported previously in the literature. Further, efficient H2 production was inhibited significantly by light, which was most likely due to reduced O2 content and the stimulation of hydrogenase activity. Therefore, a simple approach for efficient H2 production from Taihu Lake Microcystis spp. blooms is presented. Furthermore, a post-treatment strategy for dealing with large quantities of refloated algal blooms is proposed.