Evaluation of growth, biomass, and pigment contents of Dunaliella salina cultivated in a deep aquifer well waters of Sistan

In this study, growth, biomass, concentrations of chlorophyll a chlorophyll b, and carotenoid content of Dunaliella salina were evaluated in five different treatments (T1: freshwater + 35 ppt salinity, T2: freshwater + 20 ppt salinity, T3: deep well water+ 35 ppt salinity, T4: 35 ppt concentrated deep well water, and T5: 20 ppt deep aquifer well water) in the same conditions, including light intensity (33.75 μmol.m².s¹), photoperiod regime (16 h light:8 h dark), temperature (25±1 ºC), pH (8), cultivation medium (Johnson), and aeration (24 h) for 24 days. The results showed that the lowest pH fluctuation was observed in the T3, T4, and T5. In addition, T3, T4, and T5 had a better situation in terms of growth, and the growth rate was increased until the 21st day of the experiment. Maximum cellular yield (R) for T3, T4, and T5 was recorded on day 21, which was 9 days longer than other groups (T1 & T2). The Minimum cell number, minimum optical density, minimum specific growth rate (SGR), minimum doubling time (DT), minimum dry biomass, and maximum Division per day (k) were recorded for T2. The maximum dry biomass was observed in T4. The highest and lowest mean of chlorophyll a concentration appeared in T4 and T2, respectively. While the maximum and minimum mean of chlorophyll b level was recorded in T2 and T1, respectively. The highest and lowest mean of carotenoids concentration was obtained in T1 and T2, respectively. Based on the results of this study, the cultivation of D.salina with deep aquifer well water is possible.