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Top 10 (plus a few) Cool Algae Facts:
There are a lot of reasons to love algae, from their potential to provide sustainable food and environmentally friendly products
Top 10 Reasons to Get Behind Algae
Algae are a promising source of food, medicine, biofuels and more.
Farming Algae in Other Systems
Photobioreactors (PBR) are the most used closed systems for producing algae.
What is Open Pond Farming?
Open pond systems are, by far, the most common method for cultivating algae.
How is Algae Farmed?
Microalgae grows much faster than any land plant while remaining a fairly undemanding crop
How Do We Get Oil from Algae?
Algae, like many other plants, produce oil completely naturally, as a strategy for storing energy.
Beyond Biodiesel
When plant-based fuels are mentioned, people may think of corn-based ethanol mixed with gas
How are Algae Used: Part 3
Traditional plastics have always been associated with crude oil, although today they’re typically made from natural gas.
How are Algae Used: Part 2
Typically considered a menace targeted for eradication, algae are increasingly recognized as a valuable tool
How are Algae Used: Part 1
Algae are a large and diverse group of aquatic plants that range in size from microscopic single cells to seaweeds the size of trees.
Why Cultivate Algae?
Algae have come onto the world stage as one of the most exciting sustainable sources of biomass
Why are Algae Important?
Algae are a unique collection of eukaryotic organisms sometimes considered plants, bacteria or protists
Connecting Algae Ponds Directly to Aquaculture
For a food production system creating both vegetable and animal proteins at once, try combining an algaculture setup with an aquaculture business. Growing feed for the fish or crustaceans on-site greatly reduces
What’s Needed for Rapid Algae Growth?
Algae doesn’t need the same water quality or conditions that plants and fish require. However, each species still has a set of conditions needed for rapid growth and profitable harvests.
Risks of Algaecide from Liner Materials
Before you install any old pond liner you can find in your new algae ponds, check out the material. Many pond liners, even those that are fish-safe and plant-safe, feature algaecide treatments to control the growth of these tiny plants.
The Importance of Pond Liners for an Algae Pond
Pond liners aren’t optional for algae ponds. While you may be able to grow fish or plants in mud-bottomed or clay-lined ponds, this won’t work for commercial algae production.
Designing Open Algae Ponds
It’s not enough to simply dig a pond, fill it with water, and sprinkle in an algae sample. Open ponds used for algaculture need constant water mixing, the appropriate depth, and accurate projections of the water evaporation and loss rates.
Open vs Closed Production Algae Systems
Algae is either produced in an open production system or a closed one. Bioreactors and sealed containers make up the closed category, while all other ponds, tanks, raceways, and tubs fall into the open category.
Types of Cultured Algae
There are thousands of distinct algae varieties that are purposefully cultivated around the world.
Uses for Algae
Algae serves many purposes in both traditional cuisine and modern manufacturing processes. Exploring the uses for various kinds of micro- and macroalgae will help you choose the right variety for your system.