10 Amazing Facts About Algae That Will Blow Your Mind

10 Amazing Facts About Algae That Will Blow Your Mind

Algae is a term that is used for a large and very diverse/complex group of photosynthetic, eukaryotic organisms. It is also used as a polyphyletic grouping of other species that originate from multiple distinct clades. Organisms included in the grouping of algae range from unicellular microalgae including Chlorella, Prototheca and the diatoms.

Multicellular forms of algae include giant kelp which is a large brown algae. The giant kelp grows up to 50 metres in length. The majority of the algae are aquatic and lack important distinct cells and tissue types.

They lack stomata, xylem and phloem that are usually found in land plants. Seaweeds are the largest and most complex marine kind of algae. In freshwater, the most complex forms of algae are the Charophyta which is a division of green algae. The Charophyta includes Spirogyra and stoneworts.

Here are the 10 Amazing Facts About Algae That Will Blow Your Mind:

1. Algae Produce More than 50% of Earth’s Oxygen

Photo by Liz Harrell on Unsplash

Algae are tiny plants but they hold major importance to the environment. 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by the oceans where the majority of the algae inhabit. It is scientifically believed that photosynthesizing algae account for roughly 70% of all atmospheric oxygen.

Algae manufacture oxygen through photosynthesis, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere as a by-product. This procedure is more common during the day when light exposure is at its peak. However, they also tend to consume oxygen at night but this content is usually less than what they produce.

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2. Some Forms of Algae are Nutritious Sources of Food

Florante A. Cruz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There are several forms of algae which live in different ecosystems and have different purposes. Some forms of these algae can be used as sources of nutritious food. The reason behind it is that algae easily produce digestible proteins, lipids, and carbs.

They are also rich in high and vital fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which are characteristics of a sustainable food supply. Although algae have not yet been fully domesticated as food sources, a variety of cultivation and breeding technologies are available that can be used to allow for greater production and improved nutritional and organoleptic properties that will be required to bring algae into general use.

3. Certain Species of Algae can be Used to Produce Biofuels

Certain species of Algae can be used as sustainable raw materials for biofuels. Algae oil can be utilised directly (as raw vegetable oil esterified into biodiesel) or refined into a variety of biofuels, including renewable diesel and jet fuel, as well as other chemical elements for products such as cosmetics.

Algae carbohydrates can be fermented to produce additional biofuels like ethanol and butanol, as well as other molecules including polymers and biochemical. Algae biomass can be utilised to produce pyrolysis oil or combined heat and power.

Renewable types of diesel and jet fuels generated from algae are drop-in fuels that substitute petroleum fuels without requiring engine modifications. They meet all of the standards for the petroleum fuel they are intended to replace.

4. Algae Have Unique Bioluminescent Properties

Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash

Other algae have unique bioluminescent properties which make them likeable. The bioluminescent algae are tiny marine organisms which produce an ethereal glow in the dark. The phenomenon of producing the glow occurs in any region or depth of the sea.

However, most of these bioluminescent algae glow on the surface when they are closer to the shore. They usually sparkle with the movement of waves and the jostling of boats. This feature is a type of natural defence mechanism when their environment is disturbed.

Other single-cell algae known as dinoflagellates have the same kind of surface luminescence. They do form widespread bioluminescent algal blooms. These blooms are usually beautiful but have harmful environmental effects that are dangerously toxic.

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5. They Treat Wastewater and Reduce Pollution

Photo by Chang Patrick on Unsplash

Another major importance of algae is in the treatment of wastewater and the reduction of pollution. The major benefit of algae in wastewater treatment is that they produce oxygen which allows aerobic bacteria to break down organic contaminants in water.

They take up excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the process. Algae also reduce pollution in the process of excretion of oxygen rather than other products that are not useful to the environment.

6. Algae Thrive in Extreme Environments

These organisms can thrive in extreme environments. Algae are abundant in water bodies, common in terrestrial habitats, and can be found in odd places like snow and ice.

Seaweeds typically grow in shallow sea waters less than 100 metres deep; but, some species, such as Navicula pennata, have been documented at depths of 360 metres. Ancylonema nordenskioeldii, a form of algae, was discovered in the ‘Dark Zone’ of Greenland, causing an increase in the rate of ice sheet melting. The same algae was discovered in the Italian Alps after pink ice emerged on the Presena glacier.

7. They can be used as Fertiliser

Martyn Gorman / Newburgh: algal mats at the mouth of the Ythan estuary

 Algae have been used for years as a source of fertilizer. Farmers with land near the sea have long utilised marine algae as fertiliser. Brown and red algae are the most prevalent varieties of algae used as agricultural fertiliser.

Both of these algae are rich in potassium. Potassium can aid boost root growth and drought resistance in plants. Potassium deficiency in the soil can result in stunted plant development and reduced crop output.

Blue-green algae is also employed as a rice crop biofertilizer. The blue-green algae aid in the restoration of soil nutrients and the nitrogen content of rice fields.

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8. Algae Can Be Used in the Production of Cosmetics & Skincare Products

Most algae are rich sources of proteins, vitamins and minerals, especially green algae. With all these components, they are very helpful in the production of cosmetics and skincare products.

They help in hydrating the skin and also improve texture. These algae also help in offering anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action to the skin. They also help in protecting against skin damage and are excellent in smoothing effects.

9. Algae can Produce Various Polymers used in Making Bioplastics

Photo by Jordan Whitfield on Unsplash

Algae can be used to produce a variety of polymers, including those that can be used to make bioplastics. Hybrid polymers, cellulose-based plastics, poly-lactic acid, and bio-polyethylene are examples. Several businesses have launched commercial production of algal polymers, including those used in flip-flops and surfboards.

10. They Help in Climate Change Mitigation

Photo by Selina Bubendorfer on Unsplash

Another major importance of algae in the earth’s ecosystem is helping in the mitigation of climate change. Some types of algae including macroalgae also known as seaweeds have the capacity of eliminating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Scientists have encouraged people to cultivate these algae to help in offsetting carbon dioxide emissions in the process of combating climate change.

Algae might be some organisms despised by many people worldwide but their importance is more than the negativity they bring to the world. People should be well educated to know and appreciate algae.

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