Algae are simple plants that live in water. Some algae are very small. Other algae look like plants and are called seaweeds. Algae make food from sunlight, like other plants.
Too much algae causes problems. Algae block sunlight needed by underwater plants. Algae also use oxygen that fish need to live. Some algae make toxins that can make people and animals sick.
Disadvantages of Algae as Biofuel
Using algae for biofuel has disadvantages. Algae fuels often have less energy and are more expensive than fuel from oil. Algae fuels also produce less engine power. Growing algae takes a lot of energy and water. More greenhouse gases are made from growing algae than from growing other crops for biofuels.
Nutritional Value and Harmful Effects
Different types of algae have various nutritional value. Dried algae contains more nutrients since raw algae is mostly water. Algae like spirulina have protein, iron, and beta-carotene that some people lack in their diet. But some algae can have side effects if eaten.
Too many nutrients in a pond causes extra algae to grow. Floating plants shade the water to limit algae growth. Underwater plants like hornwort also control algae by adding oxygen. Algaecide chemicals should not be mixed with chlorine shock treatments for ponds. The mixture neutralizes both products.