Algal turf scrubber

Claim 1

A method of producing an algal turf comprising the steps of: providing spores of benthic microalgae, providing a growing surface for spores of benthic microalgae, subjecting the growing surface to light to grow a benthic algal turf on said surface, subjecting the benthic microalgae on the growing surface to water surge motion to promote metabolite cellular-ambient water exchange and control the light reception on the turf so that said turf receives substantially uniform illumination, and periodically harvesting said benthic microalgae algal turf growing on said surface to remove a portion of the algae growing thereon prior to said turf being overgrown by macroalgae.

Claim 2

A method of producing an algal turf comprising the steps of: providing spores of benthic microalgae, providing a growing surface for spores of benthic microalgae, subjecting the growing surface to light to grow a benthic algal turf on said surface, subjecting the benthic microalgae on the growing surface to water surge motion to promote metabolite cellular-ambient water exchange and control the light reception on the turf so that said turf receives substantially uniform illumination, and periodically harvesting said benthic microalgae algal turf growing on said surface to remove a portion of the algae growing thereon prior to said turf being overgrown by macroalgae.

Claim 4

The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein said benthic microalgae are selected from the group consisting of: ______________________________________ Green algae Brown algae Red algae Blue-green algae ______________________________________ Bryopsis Sphacelaria Jania Oscillatoria Derbesia Giffordia Amphiroa Schizothrix Centroceras Calothrix Polysiphonia Microcoleus Gelidiella Ceramium Herposiphonia Lophosiphonia ______________________________________

Claim 5

The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein said growing surface comprises a porous mat having pore sizes in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 mm.

Claim 7

The method of claims 1 or 2 further comprising the step of placing said growing surface on a water surface in a controlled environment and the step of providing water surge motion comprises the steps of periodically filling and emptying a water storage vessel to create surface wave motion in said controlled environment.

Claim 8

The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein said benthic microalgae are selected from the group consisting of: __________________________________________________________________________ Green algae Brown algae Red algae Blue-green algae Diatoms __________________________________________________________________________ Enteromorpha Ectocarpus Acrohaetium Oscillatoria Licmophora Ulva Giffordia Ceramium Calothrix Melosira Chaetomorpha Scytosiphon Polysiphonia Cladophora __________________________________________________________________________

Claim 9

The method of claims 1 or 2 further comprising the step of placing said growing surface on the ocean surface.