To evaluate the potential of Chlorococcum pamirum for producing biodiesel, the effects of nitrogen, phosphate, initial cell concentrations and NaCl on lipid accumulation and growth were studied. The highest specific growth rate (mu(max)), biomass productivity and lipid content achieved was 1.888 d (1), 350.1 mg L (1) day (1), and 64.9%, respectively. Under nitrogen-deficient condition, the cells accumulated lipids faster at low initial cell concentration. Additional NaCl to nitrogen-deficient media accelerated the lipid accumulation. When adding 10 g L (1) NaCl to nitrogen-deficient media, the lipid content and productivity of cells cultured outdoors with high initial cell concentration increased from 38.2% and 153 mg L (1) day (1) to 54.3% and 192 mg L (1) day (1) respectively. Moreover, NaCl enhanced the saturated fatty acids content from 56.40% to 73.41% of total fatty acids. The results show that C. pamirum is a promising organism for biofuel production. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.