Hobbies And Interests
Photosynthesis
Without algae, living things that require oxygen to live, like humans, would not be here. In fact, algae is responsible for creating an estimated 70 to 80 percent of the oxygen in the world's atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis, performed the same way as with vegetation found on land.
Derivatives for Food
Seaweed, a type of algae, is used in many food products across the world. In Asia, it is a common snack, rich in vitamins and iodine. In the United States, it is more common for foods to have seaweed derivatives, like alginates, carrageenans and beta carotene. These act as stabilizers, thickeners and colorants in foods like ice cream, pudding and peanut butter.
Biofuel
Algae is also a forerunner in the race for creating the next clean-burning, renewable fuel. Biofuels considered so far have mostly been derived from corn, which has not turned out to be reliable. However, certain strains of algae secrete oil that can be refined into biofuel. They can be grown in tanks instead of fields and they grow faster than other crops, making them ideal candidates for biofuel replacements to the fossil fuels popular today.