The Importance of Algae: Preserving Not just Aquatic Ecosystems
When people think of solving global warming, typically they imagine planting forests worth of trees. However, considering the rate at which humanity produces carbon emissions, it is more practical to consider more efficient methods. Of these existing solutions, one of the most effective ones is algae. Algae —single-celled microscopic phytoplankton to giant sea kelp— are aquatic eukaryotic organisms that, much like plants, undergo photosynthesis.
In Florida, algae is typically associated with algae blooms caused by excess nutrients which gathers on shore lines, kills fish, and creates dead zones in the water. However, algae is one of the most important photosynthetic organisms on the planet as it accounts for roughly 50% of the planet’s total oxygen production. The oxygen produced is primarily used by aquatic ecosystems.
“Aside from environmental class, I only know of algae because of when the news reports those algae blooms. I thought it was more of a pest than anything, but it’s nice to know it actually has a purpose when not going haywire,” said senior Alex Ladeira.
Algae also introduces oxygen and absorbs carbon beyond aquatic ecosystems, playing a key role in the balance of land ecosystems. Its applications in environmental preservation has been heavily researched. Algae are generally more efficient at capturing CO₂ than terrestrial plants, with it being 10 to 50 times more efficient due to faster growth rates and direct CO₂ utilization depending on species.
Algae also grow much faster than trees with many forms of microalgae doubling their mass in a day in the right conditions. This rapid growth lets algae take in more carbon in a short time. Trees need many years to reach a size where they take in a steady amount of carbon. Tree growth also depends on open land, soil type, water, and climate. These limits slow down many planting plans. Algae avoids this because they grow in water and need less space.
This means that the potential for algae is higher in a smaller area of spaces. Many scientists and engineers have been using algae’s potential to create inventions that can help curb carbon emissions.
Some build shallow pools on used land where sunlight reaches every cell. Others use tall closed tubes called photobioreactors. These tubes pump in air that hold high levels of CO2 from factors. The algae inside then pull the carbon out of the air stream while they grow. These systems let workers control light, heat, and nutrients. This leads to steady growth rates each day of the year, which gives a more reliable rate of carbon capture.
Seaweed farms in open water is another field. These farms do not take up land and do not interfere with farming on shore. It also helps ocean life as they make shade and shelter for young fish. Some researchers test sinking part of this matter into deep water where it can store carbon for long spans of time as the cold, dark, and stable environment slows the breakdown of organic matter which helps keep carbon away from the air.
Algaes in cities also show great promise. Some buildings now place panels of algae along their walls which act as living solar shields. Sunlight strikes the algae first, which then uses it to grow. They also cool the building by taking in surface heat. Pipes then bring in air with extra CO2 from indoor vents, and algae clean the air as they grow. This helps lower the city’s carbon footprint and can improve health by improving immediate air quality.
However, despite all these applications algae is not a simple cure. Farms need nutrients, sunlight, and careful design. They also need strong plans to avoid harmful blooms. They must not black shipping lanes or damage marine life.
However, even with these limits, algae is a strong tool. They stand out because they give us a way to take in carbon at rates that trees cannot match in equal space and time. They also help us reuse waste streams from factories and cities. However, it is not the solution.
“Algae is great. I don’t know a lot about it but from what I’ve heard it seems like it could really help, but that’s all it’s gonna do. It’s going to help, not change the actual root of the issue. By showing factories that we can fix their issues, we’re basically telling them ‘Yeah go ahead and keep being careless.’
“We still gotta hold them and all the other root issues accountable even if we come up with ‘solutions’ cause that’s not what they are. They’re stop gaps,” said senior Daniel Cabo.
As our world looks for clean and strong ways to slow down global warming, algae will play a key part. It is not meant to replace the need to change, but instead show how innovation can support a system determined to do better.
