From food to fuel to

The significance of Algae blooms my turn from being an ecological nightmare to a energy teeming dream. Top scientists around the globe are taking a closer look at the earth’s fastest growing crop as a new source of biofuel. 

Researchers at the Center for Biorefining of the University of Minnesota estimate that algae produce 5,000 gallons of oil per acre (about 56,825 litres per hectare). By comparison, corn yields 18 gallons, soybeans produce 48 gallons and palm trees yield 635 gallons per acre.

Trick says it is prudent to be cautious. “Innovative algal biofuel industries, such as Cellana, must deal with the historical views of algae — from being important to the food chain, to damaging coastal resources when in excess, to a marketable alternative to extracted fuels. Diversity is the beauty of the algae.”

The topic is still in debate over it’s feasibility.  Article

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