Algae as Biofuel

Recent research has investigated the possibility of converting oils from algae into cheap, renewable biofuel.

Although most of the focus has concentrated on freshwater algae, seaweeds might also provide another alternative source. Developing nations like the Philippines are among the leading producers of farmed seaweed and would stand to benefit from such new technology.

In some areas seaweeds are a nuisance clogging up tourist beaches in the tropics and harvesting them could provide jobs for many people in those countries.

Tropical countries, including much of the developing world, tend to have an excess of marshes and swamps that could be used for freshwater algae production as well. Standing water in these regions quickly becomes filled with the green aquatic vegetation.

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