Reviewer Comments - EERE

2011 Algae Platform Review – Reviewer Comments
Reviewer Comments are direct transcripts of commentary and material provided by the Platform’s
Review Panel. They have not been edited or altered by the Biomass Program.
who are not made aware of the PI's and the site from which the samples are taken. We understand the
concern of the reviewer. We hope that most, if not all, collaborators will work with us in an open process.
However, various methods, including the use of PII, may be available to allow proper review of all the
data by the reviewers. We agree with the reviewer and believe that both wastewater treatment and
aquaculture systems are important and should be considered. More than one of our collaborators, and one
of our PIs (Zimba), work in the aquaculture field, and we have already sampled at an aquaculture facility
in Texas. References 1. Bresson, C., et al., A combined spectroscopic and theoretical approach to
investigate structural properties of Co(ii)/Co(iii) tris-cysteinato complexes in aqueous medium. New
Journal of Chemistry, 2007. 31(10): p. 1789-1797. 2. Isaure, M.-P., et al., Localization and chemical
forms of cadmium in plant samples by combining analytical electron microscopy and X-ray
spectromicroscopy. Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy, 2006. 61(12): p. 1242-1252. 3.
Lin, H., et al., Speciation and biochemical transformations of sulfur and copper in rice rhizosphere and
bulk soil—XANES evidence of sulfur and copper associations. Journal of Soils and Sediments. 10(5): p.
907-914. 4. Werner, M.L., et al., Use of Micro-XANES to Speciate Chromium in Airborne Fine Particles
in the Sacramento Valley. Environmental Science & Technology, 2007. 41(14): p. 4919-4924. 5. Gunter,
K.K., et al., XANES Spectroscopy: A Promising Tool for Toxicology:: A Tutorial. NeuroToxicology,
2002. 23(2): p. 127-146. 6. Wang, H.C., et al., X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopic Studies of As-Humic
Substances in the Ground Water of the Taiwan Blackfoot Disease Area. Bulletin of Environmental
Contamination and Toxicology, 2003. 71(4): p. 0798-0803. 7. Moeller, P.D.R., et al., Metal Complexes
and Free Radical Toxins Produced by Pfiesteria piscicida. Environmental Science & Technology, 2007.
41(4): p. 1166-1172. 8. Fisher, J.M., et al., Role of Fe(III), Phosphate, Dissolved Organic Matter, and
Nitrate during the Photodegradation of Domoic Acid in the Marine Environment. Environmental Science
& Technology, 2006. 40(7): p. 2200-2205. 9. Camacho, L.M., et al., Occurence and treatment of Arsenic
in groundwater and soil in Northern Mexico and southwestern USA. Chemosphere, 2011. In Press.
Project: 7.9.2.2 Desert Research Institute
Title: Algal-Based Renewable Energy for Nevada
Presenter: Chris Fritsen
Presentation Date: Friday, April 08, 2011
Criteria Avg Score Std Deviation Count
Approach 2.86 1.96 7
Progress 3.71 2.19 7
Relevance 3.14 2.03 7
Critical Success Factors 3.00 1.93 7
1. Project Approach
The project performers have implemented technically sound research, development, and deployment
approaches and demonstrated necessary results to meet their targets
The project performers have identified a project management plan that includes well-defined milestones
and adequate methods for addressing potential risks.
Reviewer Comments
Reviewer: 1 Criteria Score: 1
The approach is an unclear amalgam. Is the plan to use geothermal sources as farm ponds, or is the intent
to look for algae that grows in various water sources and try and culture them for use in non-geothermal
ponds? What is the intent of optimizing growth if there is no useful level of lipid content? How does one
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