Repurposing Algae

Written by: Caroline Kim

January 14, 2023

One of the many consequences of climate change include increased algae blooms: warmer temperatures allow for more algal growth and its floating to the surface (Climate Change and Harmful Algal Blooms). The issue with this is that too much algae results in eutrophication, which prevents other organisms from access to oxygen and sunlight (Einzmann). In worst case scenarios, excess algae can result in deaths to organisms, including humans (Einzmann). However, Einzmann proposes that this algae could prove to be useful to our planet saying, “... algae is a crop that doesn’t need land, freshwater, or fertilizer to fill nutritional gaps” (Einzmann). Some proposed methods to repurpose algae include filtering water, fueling air travel, reducing methane emissions, fighting viruses, and promoting long term space travel (Einzmann).

A previous study conducted in 2021 discovered that algae assists in filtering microplastics out of water; additionally, microalgae “... can also filter chemicals that can be used for fertilizer, like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and phosphorus” (Einzmann). In terms of air travel, algae is projected to be an efficient biofuel that can significantly reduce carbon emissions. It is predicted that over 80% of methane emissions from cows can be reduced just by feeding them food containing red algae traces; this same red algae can reduce virus replication, and brown algae strengthens immune systems (Einzmann). In terms of long term space travel, algae being high in protein can act as a food source and helps convert carbon dioxide exhaled from astronauts into oxygen (Einzmann).

While it is clear that eutrophication poses many threats to wildlife, repurposing the excess algae to help fight the climate crisis could be significant. Instead of having to create a whole new set of technologies, the use of existing material to reduce emissions can efficiently promote environmental health. This connects most closely to our discussions of greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide and methane, and eutrophication. It also relates to topics such as biodiversity, considering eutrophication can severely limit this through its cover from sunlight and oxygen from reaching other organisms. In terms of the solutions proposed, they align well with ideas of ecosystem services, specifically provisioning and regulating services (provisioning because obtained from the ecosystem, and regulating because of its purpose to reduce emissions). This article helps cover multiple ideas and issues in the environmental sciences and proposes reasonable solutions.

Given the proposed alternatives described above, more experimentation and research could allow for even more applicable solutions. Although this idea has been around as ear;y as the 1950’s, researchers still continue to observe the functionality of the idea, one of them being the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation at Arizona State University (https://sustainability-innovation.asu.edu/news/archive/11515-2/ ) . However, collecting algae and making it so that it can be applicable to the solutions would require volunteers or an organization willing and able to repurpose algae after sufficient research proves the viability of repurposed algae.

Sources:

Einzmann, S. (2022, November 30). 5 surprising ways algae is driving innovation. Environment. Retrieved January 3, 2023, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/5-surprising-ways-algae-is-driving-innovation?loggedin=true&rnd=1672773379079