If the copper concentrations of the algae environment are tested at 100% of the regular copper concentration (0.4 ppm, control), 200% (0.8 ppm), 250% (1.0 ppm), 400% (1.6 ppm) and 500% (2.0 ppm) then it will be possible to determine which concentration of copper is the best to produce the largest amount of hydrogen gas. The concentration of 1.0 ppm is expected to produce the most gas because this is the lowest level of concentration that is expected to cause damage to the culture because copper is an algaecide.
If the sulphur is depleted from the algae’s environment then it will be possible to determine, in comparison to the best copper concentration, which method of hydrogen production is better. The method that produces the most hydrogen gas is the most effective method of the two. In a system that is not regulated for copper during the experiment such as the one that will be made, it is expected that the sulphur deficient method will work the best because the algae cannot repair themselves where they can in the copper method.