Harmful Algae - The Future of Renewable Energy

Algae belong to diverse group of autotrophicthe economy of fish farmers. They contaminate
organisms that can grow either unicellular orshellfish with toxins and cause massive fish kills,
multi-cellular. These plant-like organisms are known ascreating abhorrent destruction in the environment.
the earliest forms of life that produce ample amount ofThe fumes coming from decomposing algae are to
oxygen needed by plants, animals, and human beingsblame for respiratory diseases. Also, direct contact
as well. What's notable about algae is their uniquewith algae can cause skin irritations or even eyes,
reproductive system that allows them to developnose, 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 ofand eating shellfish that have been exposed to algal
organisms. Phycology is the branch of science thatblooms can cause food poisoning and death.
delves with the study of algae. All algae have intrinsicUnfortunately, the effects of algae are known to many
nucleus and chloroplast, a pigment that is also found inrather than their benefits. Although most research and
plants. Algae have resemblance to plants for theirstudies claim that algae are harmful and toxic to the
photosynthetic properties, but differ mainly for theirenvironment, some scientists have found the future of
absence of leaves and roots that are common tobio 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 upmedicines. 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 onpossibility 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 speciesfrom south western waters of United States, but they
of algae according to researchers. There are aboutonly documented 300 species that are capable of
300,000 species of algae found and preserved in theproducing fuel. Various studies surfaced that algae can
U.S. Algal Collection in Smithsonian Museum of Naturalbe grown to produce biomass, which can be utilized to
History. Moreover, taxonomists classify algae throughproduce 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 ofpharmaceutical companies can create miracle cures.
being the chief producers of oxygen and food sourceThis happens because algae contain complete protein
of fish, algae are threat to the environment. Harmfuland amino acids. Algae have high amounts of simple
algal bloom or HABs is reportedly the culprit of die-offsand 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 affectminerals.