Regulation Models in Rotifer Chemostats

Abstract

The classical basis for modeling growth in chemostats is the Monod model (Eqs. 3.3.5 and 3.3.7; Monod 1942). It seems to be the best starting point compared with other models which come into question (e.g., Teissier 1936; Moser 1957; Contois 1959) to describe the growth of microorganisms. The Monod model has been tested in many variations in chemostat studies of bacteria vs. organic substrates (e.g., Bungay and Bungay 1968), of algae vs. inorganic nutrients (e.g., Benndorf 1980; Burmaster 1979; Rhee 1980), of protozoa vs. bacteria (e.g., Hamilton and Preslan 1970; Curds and Cockburn 1971), and of protozoa vs. algae (Gold 1973). For phytoplankton development, a Monod model is widely accepted (Dugdale 1967) as long as the nutrients are not stored. In the latter case, intracellular nutrient pools become important (Droop 1974, 1983). The Monod model adequately describes the growth of many unicellular organisms that have simple cell division.