Biofuels: The Potential of Algae
Most algae are single-celled organisms that grow in either marine (saltwater) or
freshwater environments.
Most strains are photosynthetic and represent the
world’s fastest growing plants.
Like other plants, they convert...
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Biofuels: The Potential of Algae
Most algae are single-celled organisms that grow in either marine (saltwater) or
freshwater environments.
Most strains are photosynthetic and represent the
world’s fastest growing plants.
Like other plants, they convert sunlight, water,
CO2, and other nutrients into energy and biomass and release large amounts of
oxygen into the atmosphere.
A number of algae strains and marine organisms
derive energy from organic carbon, rather than atmospheric carbon (through
photosyntesis.
There are over 65,000 known species of algae, including many
different varieties such as red, green, brown, and blue-green (cyanobacteria).
Potential Pathways to Biofuels
Algae are already important in numerous commercial uses: to produce nutritional supplements, to treat
sewage, and as coloring agents.
One of the most promising uses of algae is as renewable raw material
for biofuels.
The vegetable oil from algae can be used directly (straight vegetable oil that is esterized
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