Assessing key parameters of productivity for a non-land-dependent system of biomass production

Abstract

This study addresses the challenge of producing feedstocks for bioenergy and bio-based products in a non-land-dependent system based on the recently-developed concept of Green Floating Filter (GFF). In this system, cattails are grown on floating supports placed in eutrophic water bodies in order to form a biomass mat that contributes to water treatment; the produced biomass is fully harvested at the end of the growth cycle. In this work datasets of key parameters concerning GFF performance were built for the proof-of-concept of GFFs. Results highlighted the relationship between biomass production and water quality, with lower biomass production in the treatment with lowest COD. Biomass partitioning was slightly affected by the water quality, at the contamination levels studied; the submerged biomass represented 45.6% of the total biomass (dry mass) on average, partitioned into 79.5% rhizomes and 20.5% roots at the February harvest. The starch content of the submerged biomass varied with harvest date and biomass partitioning. Main conclusion was that the potential of GFF system for bioethanol and biobased products is high, but it clearly relies on the nutrient water level and the harvest date.