Types Of Algae

Neste Oil to participate in two algae research projects

The goal of the projects in the Netherlands and Australia will be to build up experience on the suitability of different types of algae for use in industrial-scale production under a variety of conditions, the company said.

The five-year AlgaePARC project, which was launched on 17 June in the Netherlands, is being coordinated by Wageningen University and Research Centre and will involve 18 corporate partners. The focus will be on developing technologies and processes for growing microalgae on an industrial scale as a raw material for use in fuel, food, and chemical production. Neste Oil will be taking part in the project along with companies from these sectors.

A similar project, Solar Bio-Fuels Consortium, will be launched this summer in Australia. Coordinated by the University of Queensland, this will bring together seven companies and research institutions working in the field of algae-related research. The three-year project will study various techniques for growing algae and optimizing conditions to achieve high oil yields.

"Our goal is to expand the range of raw materials we use for producing NExBTL renewable diesel, and algae represent one of the most promising materials here because of their excellent potential oil yields," says Markku Patajoki, the Head of Neste Oil's Biotechnology Group. "The key practical challenge lies in scaling up output to industrial volumes, and we hope that these two new projects will result in new ways of overcoming this challenge."

Studies have shown that algae species that produce and store lipids represent a potential source of raw material for NExBTL renewable diesel. Algae grow rapidly and one hectare of cultivated algae could yield as much as 30 t/a of oil. Algae oil is also an excellent alternative in terms of sustainability, as it does not compete with food production for supplies of potable water or land. The suitability of algae oil for use in the NExBTL process has already been confirmed, the company added.

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Pond Algae And Control Methods | Pond Supply Blog

Pond algae control can be one of the most frustrating tasks faced by pond owners. Algae blooms are unattractive and reduce the water’s dissolved oxygen levels at night. They can significantly alter the pH of the water and result in fish kills. However, some algae are beneficial. In controlled amounts, it adds beauty to the pond. Some algae serve as an excellent source of nutrition for fish or other pond creatures. Effectively algae control requires an understanding of the different types of algae and their environmental requirements.

Algae are very primitive plants. Like all plants, they need sunlight and nutrients to grow. In a sunny, nutrient-rich environment, they can grow out of control. Thousands of species of algae exist, but pond owners group them in to three broad categories: Planktonic, filamentous and blue-green.

Planktonic algae float suspended in the water. They are too small to see individually but cause an unmistakable green color when present in large amounts. Planktonic algae are a basic staple in the koi food chain and are beneficial in moderate amounts. However, during the dark cycle of photosynthesis they can use critical amounts of dissolved oxygen and harm fish. These algae are too small to remove with a filter. Chemical control and UV clarification are effective control techniques.

Filamentous algae appear as long, green threads that attach to rocks and aquatic plants. They usually begin growing in shallow water where there is plenty of sunlight. Large concentrations of nitrate in the water also speed their development. Fish do not eat them and filamentous algae can quickly take over a pond. Mechanical filtration is usually ineffective because the algae do not float freely. When they do break free from their attachment points, they can clog submerged pond pumps . The best control is the addition of plants to the pond to compete for the nitrate nutrient. Surface plants such as water hyacinth, water lettuce or water lilies also inhibit algae growth by shading the pond. A good rule of thumb is to shade at least 50 percent of a pond’s surface.

Blue-green algae form slimy clumps or mats that float on the surface or lie on the bottom of the pond and are the most difficult pond algae to control. Many species are toxic, and the slimy outer layer prevents effective chemical treatments. The clumps break apart easily, and good water circulation and aeration are the preferred control methods.

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