Depending upon the season, the algal turf biomass resulting from ATS must be harvested every 5-15 days to maintain high levels of productivity. Algal Turf Scrubbers® are more productive than terrestrial crops, mean yearly rates in the central U.S. being 30-40g (dry)/m2/day. Traditional crop production in the U.S. is 2-4 grams dry weight/m2/day. Switchgrass can be higher than corn and soy, and in the central U.S. is 3-6g/m2/day. Algal turfs have no recalcitrant fibers and lignin; they are more easily refined than corn and soy. At the same levels of light, they can photosynthesize and produce new tissue at roughly 10 times that of typical crops.