Energy From Algae?

THE SOURCE: “The Scum Solution” by Neil Savage, in Nature, June 23, 2011.

The endless quest for an alternative to petroleum has dipped a toe in a rather slimy source: pond scum, reports science journalist Neil Savage.

There’s plenty to like about the green- and red-colored organisms as a possible fuel source. Unlike many biofuel sources, such as corn and sugar cane, which require land that could be used to grow food, algae can easily grow in areas not suitable for farming as long as water is supplied. Algae even do well in polluted water. They are also incredibly productive: Researchers estimate that algae could produce 61,000 liters (around 16,110 gallons) of biofuel per hectare; by comparison, soybeans only yield 200 to 450 liters.

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