Algae: Difference between revisions

m (1 revision imported: Doing upload, largely of old redirects.)
m (1 revision imported)
 
(One intermediate revision by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Category:Done 2018-06-01]]  
[[Category:Done 2020-01-31]]
[[File:Aglae-biofuels-tt001.jpg|framed|right|Figure 1 Algae being turned into biofuels<ref>Image taken from https://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/15-algae-biofuels-startups-to-watch.html accessed July 14th, 2017.</ref>]]
[[File:Aglae-biofuels-tt001.jpg|framed|right|Figure 1 Algae being turned into biofuels<ref>Image taken from https://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/15-algae-biofuels-startups-to-watch.html accessed July 14th, 2017.</ref>]]
<onlyinclude>'''Algae''' (singular '''alga''') are a diverse group of plant-like aquatic organisms.<ref>Oxford dictionary of biology (7th edition) by Robert Hine and Elizabeth Martin, published 2015.</ref> Oceanic algae is often referred to as '''phytoplancton'''. These simple organisms use [[photosynthesis]] to grab energy which allows them to make [[carbohydrate]]s, [[oil]]s and proteins. These in turn can be processed to become a [[biofuel]]</onlyinclude>.<ref name = DOE>"Energy 101 - algae fuel" U.S. Department of Energy online: https://energy.gov/eere/videos/energy-101-algae-fuel Accessed July 14th, 2017.</ref> Biofuel is any [[fuel]] made from living things, or the waste products of living things (like fecal matter or urine). The algae oils can be [[Processing algae#Biodiesel Production|converted to biodiesel]] and the remaining material can be used to create [[Ethanol|bioethanol]]. There is a growing market for techniques in [[algae biofuel]] production, since it is a low life-cycle [[carbon]] emitting fuel.
<onlyinclude>'''Algae''' (singular '''alga''') are a diverse group of plant-like aquatic organisms.<ref>Oxford dictionary of biology (7th edition) by Robert Hine and Elizabeth Martin, published 2015.</ref> Oceanic algae is often referred to as '''phytoplankton'''. These simple organisms use [[photosynthesis]] to produce energy from sunlight, which allows them to make [[carbohydrate]]s, [[oil]]s and proteins. These in turn can be processed to become a [[advanced biofuel#Third Generation|third generation]] [[biofuel]]</onlyinclude>.<ref name = DOE>"Energy 101 - algae fuel" U.S. Department of Energy online: https://energy.gov/eere/videos/energy-101-algae-fuel Accessed July 14th, 2017.</ref> Biofuel is any [[fuel]] made from living things, or the waste products of living things (like fecal matter or urine). The algae oils can be [[Processing algae#Biodiesel Production|converted to biodiesel]] and the remaining material can be used to create [[Ethanol|bioethanol]]. There is a growing market for techniques in [[algae biofuel]] production, since it is a low [[life cycle|life-cycle]] [[carbon]] emitting fuel.


Algae grown for the [[energy sector]] is also referred to as microalgae. While there are other important distinctions in biology, generally, the microalgae grown for its [[energy]] is algae that is too small to make out individual organisms without a microscope, hence the name.
Algae grown for the [[energy sector]] is also referred to as microalgae. While there are other important distinctions in biology, generally, the microalgae grown for its [[energy]] is algae that is too small to make out individual organisms without a microscope, hence the name.
Line 12: Line 12:
==For Further Reading==
==For Further Reading==
*[[Biofuel]]
*[[Biofuel]]
*[[Algae biofuel]]
*[[Harvesting algae]]
*[[Harvesting algae]]
*[[Biomass]]
*[[Biomass]]

Latest revision as of 05:10, 31 January 2020

Figure 1 Algae being turned into biofuels[1]

Algae (singular alga) are a diverse group of plant-like aquatic organisms.[2] Oceanic algae is often referred to as phytoplankton. These simple organisms use photosynthesis to produce energy from sunlight, which allows them to make carbohydrates, oils and proteins. These in turn can be processed to become a third generation biofuel.[3] Biofuel is any fuel made from living things, or the waste products of living things (like fecal matter or urine). The algae oils can be converted to biodiesel and the remaining material can be used to create bioethanol. There is a growing market for techniques in algae biofuel production, since it is a low life-cycle carbon emitting fuel.

Algae grown for the energy sector is also referred to as microalgae. While there are other important distinctions in biology, generally, the microalgae grown for its energy is algae that is too small to make out individual organisms without a microscope, hence the name.

Below is a video from the U.S. Department of energy on algae based biofuels.[3]

For Further Reading

To learn more about phytoplankton please NOAA's website.

References

  1. Image taken from https://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/15-algae-biofuels-startups-to-watch.html accessed July 14th, 2017.
  2. Oxford dictionary of biology (7th edition) by Robert Hine and Elizabeth Martin, published 2015.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Energy 101 - algae fuel" U.S. Department of Energy online: https://energy.gov/eere/videos/energy-101-algae-fuel Accessed July 14th, 2017.