| Algae belong to diverse group of autotrophic | | | | the economy of fish farmers. They contaminate |
| organisms that can grow either unicellular or | | | | shellfish with toxins and cause massive fish kills, |
| multi-cellular. These plant-like organisms are known as | | | | creating abhorrent destruction in the environment. |
| the earliest forms of life that produce ample amount of | | | | The fumes coming from decomposing algae are to |
| oxygen needed by plants, animals, and human beings | | | | blame for respiratory diseases. Also, direct contact |
| as well. What's notable about algae is their unique | | | | with algae can cause skin irritations or even eyes, |
| reproductive system that allows them to develop | | | | nose, and mouth infections. Moreover, drinking water |
| rapidly in various forms of habitats or environment. | | | | contaminated with algae is dangerous to one's health |
| Algae are rarely studied unlike other forms of | | | | and eating shellfish that have been exposed to algal |
| organisms. Phycology is the branch of science that | | | | blooms can cause food poisoning and death. |
| delves with the study of algae. All algae have intrinsic | | | | Unfortunately, the effects of algae are known to many |
| nucleus and chloroplast, a pigment that is also found in | | | | rather than their benefits. Although most research and |
| plants. Algae have resemblance to plants for their | | | | studies claim that algae are harmful and toxic to the |
| photosynthetic properties, but differ mainly for their | | | | environment, some scientists have found the future of |
| absence of leaves and roots that are common to | | | | bio fuels through the use of algae. There's a field called |
| plants. Because the cells of algae are submerged in | | | | "algae biotechnology" that aims to promote the |
| water, they gather sufficient supply of water, CO2, | | | | production of algae into renewable fuels and |
| and other nutrients, wherein these nutrients speed up | | | | medicines. In a study conducted several decades ago, |
| their staggering growth rate. | | | | the Aquatic Species program (ASP) found out the |
| The exact number of species of algae that exist on | | | | possibility of algae in the production of bio fuels. The |
| earth cannot be determined or impossible to determine. | | | | researches cultures over 3,000 species of algae taken |
| Although undetermined, there are over a million species | | | | from south western waters of United States, but they |
| of algae according to researchers. There are about | | | | only documented 300 species that are capable of |
| 300,000 species of algae found and preserved in the | | | | producing fuel. Various studies surfaced that algae can |
| U.S. Algal Collection in Smithsonian Museum of Natural | | | | be grown to produce biomass, which can be utilized to |
| History. Moreover, taxonomists classify algae through | | | | produce heat and electricity. Algae can be converted |
| the pigmentation, cellular structure, and life cycle. | | | | into biodiesel, bio ethanol, and vegetable oil. Otherwise, |
| Obviously, algae thrive in the world's waters. Despite of | | | | pharmaceutical companies can create miracle cures. |
| being the chief producers of oxygen and food source | | | | This happens because algae contain complete protein |
| of fish, algae are threat to the environment. Harmful | | | | and amino acids. Algae have high amounts of simple |
| algal bloom or HABs is reportedly the culprit of die-offs | | | | and complex carbohydrates, fatty acids including |
| of lakes, ponds, ocean, and other bodies of water. | | | | Omega 3 and 6, and abundant with other vitamins and |
| HABs can wipe out the marine life and at times affect | | | | minerals. |