Algal Nutrient - Definition, Glossary, Details - Oilgae
Algal nutrient solutions are made up of a mixture of chemical salts and water. Sometimes referred to as "Growth Media", nutrient solutions (along with carbon dioxide and light), provide the materials needed for algae to grow. Source
The first source of life for algae is nitrate. Two other sources of nutrients for algae are phosphate and carbon dioxide. The last component of nutrients for algae comes from dissolved organic matter. Source