Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system for reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater can include a vertical reactor that can include a flexible sheet material, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of an algal biofilm. The vertical reactor can include a shaft, where the shaft can be associated with and can support the flexible sheet material, and a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material can be selectively actuated. The system can include a fluid reservoir containing a portion of wastewater through which the flexible sheet material is configured to pass as well as a stressor operably configured to stimulate the algae to produce an extracellular polymeric substance. A method of reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater includes moving an algal biofilm through the wastewater and moving the algal biofilm through a gas.

Abstract: A system for reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater can include a vertical reactor that can include a flexible sheet material, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of an algal biofilm. The vertical reactor can include a shaft, where the shaft can be associated with and can support the flexible sheet material, and a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material can be selectively actuated. The system can include a fluid reservoir containing a portion of wastewater through which the flexible sheet material is configured to pass as well as a stressor operably configured to stimulate the algae to produce an extracellular polymeric substance. A method of reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater includes moving an algal biofilm through the wastewater and moving the algal biofilm through a gas.

Abstract: A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant. Exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir or the second fluid may change a growth rate of the algae.

Abstract: A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant. Exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir or the second fluid may change a growth rate of the algae.

Abstract: A method of treating microbial biomass includes mixing the microbial biomass in a liquid to form a suspension, the microbial biomass having an initial color, and exposing the suspension to light to form treated microbial biomass, the treated microbial biomass having a treated color. The treated color is lighter than the initial color. The microbial biomass can also have an initial taste and odor that are stronger than a treated taste and odor of the treated microbial biomass.

Abstract: A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant.

Abstract: A belt for an algal growth system includes a flexible sheet material configured to facilitate growth of a biofilm. The flexible sheet material is mounted on a first frame in a first mounted geometry, the flexible sheet material having a substantially vertical orientation when mounted on the first frame such that a first height of the first mounted geometry is greater than a first width of the first mounted geometry, the flexible sheet material being in contact with a contacting liquid.

Abstract: A recirculating aquaculture system comprising a microorganism growing apparatus and a method of using microorganisms to remove a pollutant from a fluid utilized in a recirculating aquaculture system. Furthermore, the microorganisms are harvested and used as a foodstuff fertilizer, biofuels, and bioplastics.

Abstract: A method of treating microbial biomass includes mixing the microbial biomass in a liquid to form a suspension, the microbial biomass having an initial color, and exposing the suspension to light to form treated microbial biomass, the treated microbial biomass having a treated color. The treated color is lighter than the initial color. The microbial biomass can also have an initial taste and odor that are stronger than a treated taste and odor of the treated microbial biomass.

Abstract: A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant. Exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir or the second fluid may change a growth rate of the algae.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant.

Abstract: An algal growth system includes a first flexible sheet material mounted on a first frame in a first mounted geometry, the first flexible sheet material having a substantially vertical orientation when mounted on the first frame such that a first height of the first mounted geometry is greater than a first width of the first mounted geometry. The algal growth system also includes a first drive shaft coupled with the first frame, an actuator system coupled with the first drive shaft, a motor coupled with the actuator system. The motor actuates the actuator system and the first drive shaft such that the first flexible sheet material is actuated. The algal growth system also includes a liquid source consisting of a dripper or a mister. The liquid source is configured to direct a contacting liquid to the first flexible sheet material.

Abstract: A method of using microorganisms to remove a pollutant from a fluid by exposing microorganisms to a fluid containing a pollutant, the microorganisms uptake the pollutant, then the microorganisms are exposed to a condition in order to stimulate the microorganisms to release the pollutant. Furthermore, the microorganisms are harvested and used as a foodstuff for human and animal consumption.

Abstract: A supporting material for an algal growth system includes a flexible sheet material configured to facilitate growth of a biofilm. The flexible sheet material is configured to be mounted on a first frame in a first mounted geometry, the flexible sheet material having a substantially vertical orientation when mounted on the first frame such that a first height of the first mounted geometry is greater than a first width of the first mounted geometry, the flexible sheet material being configured to be in contact with a contacting liquid.

Abstract: An algal growth system includes a first flexible sheet material mounted on a first frame in a first mounted geometry having a first height and a first width, the first height being greater than the first width, and a second flexible sheet material mounted on a second frame in a second mounted geometry having a second height and a second width, the second height being greater than the second width. The first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet material are noncontiguous. The algal growth system also includes a motor, the motor being coupled with an actuator system, where the motor actuates the actuator system, and a reservoir.

Abstract: A recirculating aquaculture system comprising a microorganism growing apparatus and a method of using microorganisms to remove a pollutant from a fluid utilized in a recirculating aquaculture system. Furthermore, the microorganisms are harvested and used as a foodstuff fertilizer, biofuels, and bioplastics.

Abstract: A system for reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater can include a vertical reactor that can include a flexible sheet material, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of an algal biofilm. The vertical reactor can include a shaft, where the shaft can be associated with and can support the flexible sheet material, and a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material can be selectively actuated. The system can include a fluid reservoir containing a portion of wastewater through which the flexible sheet material is configured to pass as well as a stressor operably configured to stimulate the algae to produce an extracellular polymeric substance. A method of reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater includes moving an algal biofilm through the wastewater and moving the algal biofilm through a gas.

Abstract: An algal growth system includes a first flexible sheet material mounted on a first frame in a first mounted geometry, the first flexible sheet material having a substantially vertical orientation when mounted on the first frame such that a first height of the first mounted geometry is greater than a first width of the first mounted geometry. The algal growth system also includes a first drive shaft coupled with the first frame, an actuator system coupled with the first drive shaft, a motor coupled with the actuator system. The motor actuates the actuator system and the first drive shaft such that the first flexible sheet material is actuated. The algal growth system also includes a liquid source consisting of a dripper or a mister. The liquid source is configured to direct a contacting liquid to the first flexible sheet material.