Being Algae

Water plants of all sizes, from the 60-meter long Pacific Ocean giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) to the micro ur-plant blue-green algae, deserve attention from critical plant studies. This is the first book in environmental humanities to approach algae, swimming across the sciences, humanities, and arts, to embody the mixed nature and collaborative identity of algae. Ranging from Medieval Islamic texts describing algae and their use, Japanese and Nordic cultural practices based in seaweed and algae, and confronting the instrumentalization of seaweed to mitigate cow methane release and the hype of algal photobioreactors, amongst many other standpoints, this volume comprehensively addresses the ancestors of terrestrial plants through appreciating their unique aquatic medium.

A single-source reference on the biology of algae, the third edition of Algae: Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology examines the most important taxa and structures for freshwater, marine, and terrestrial forms of algae. Its comprehensive coverage goes from algae's historical role through its taxonomy and ecology to its natural product possibilities. In this update, the authors have gathered a significant amount of new material, including: more information on macroalgae detailed description of biotic associations updated description of biomass cultivation systems coverage of different "omic" approaches and tools used in algal investigation an expanded and updated algae utilization chapter The book's unifying theme is the important role of algae in the earth's self-regulating life support system and its function within restorative models of planetary health. It also discusses algae's biotechnological applications, including potential nutritional and pharmaceutical products. Written for students as well as researchers, teachers, and professionals in the field of phycology and applied phycology, this new full-color edition is both illuminating and inspiring.

​This volume is focused on solar-to-fuel conversion using algae and cyanobacteria for advanced generation biofuels. Production of biofuels needs to rely on cheap and renewable resources, in order to be economically viable and environmentally sustainable in the long term. Solar energy is an abundant and renewable resource, and strategies for solar-to-fuel conversion have the potential to sustain our energy demands in the long term and to be carbon-dioxide neutral. First generation biofuels are those already on the market, such as bio-ethanol from sugarcane and corn starch, biodiesel from oil seed crops. However, development of a single biofuel, as efficient as it may be, would be insufficient and could not sustain the global demand for energy. The next generation of advanced biofuels explores alternative feedstocks and technologies, finding novel solar-to-fuel solutions. Algae and cyanobacteria can convert sunlight into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. They represent an alternative with respect to crops for solar-to-fuel conversion that does not compete with food for arable land. This SpringerBrief focuses only on solar-to-fuel conversion for production of advanced biofuels, pointing to the importance of relying on the sun for our sustainability in the long term. It is the only current publication to discuss the problem of light-utilization inefficiency during mass cultivation of micro-algae. This review also addresses the potential of cyanobacteria for the generation of direct photosynthesis-to-fuel platforms and discusses both possibilities and constraints for future developments.

Designed as the primary reference for the biotechnological use of macroalgae, this comprehensive handbook covers the entire value chain from the cultivation of algal biomass to harvesting and processing it, to product extraction and formulation. In addition to covering a wide range of product classes, from polysaccharides to terpenes and from enyzmes to biofuels, it systematically discusses current and future applications of algae-derived products in pharmacology, medicine, cosmetics, food and agriculture. In doing so, it brings together the expertise of marine researchers, biotechnologists and process engineers for a one-stop resource on the biotechnology of marine macroalgae.

Algae Mediated Bioremediation Develop new methods for remediating pollution with this cutting-edge guide In a world where environmental remediation and pollution removal are becoming more critical with every passing day, the search for organic and sustainable solutions has never been more critical. Removing organic pollutants through the use of algae has become an especially promising avenue for bioremediation, with a far lower environmental impact than comparable mechanical, physical, or chemical approaches. The possibility of deriving bioenergy from the resulting biomass makes this approach even more potentially critical to a sustainable future. Algae Mediated Bioremediation offers a cutting-edge overview of these processes and their applications. Its comprehensive approach to the problems of pollution abatement and the value of algae as environmental and biotechnological agents include both practical solutions and key gaps in existing research. Algae Mediated Bioremediation readers will also find: Case studies of successful use drawn from across the globe Detailed discussion of remediating aquatic, atmospheric, and terrestrial habitats Applications for value-added products incorporating biomass Algae Mediated Bioremediation is ideal for biotechnologists, biochemists, natural products chemists, and other researchers working in industry or environmental research.

Microalgae have been proposed as the potential source for a wide range of products, ranging from fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals to foods and feeds and as a biofuel source. However, only a few are successful on an industrial scale due to the high cost associated with the production of microalgae biomass. This chapter presents an economic analysis of various processes based on microalgae: from high-value products like astaxanthin to low-value products like biofuels. The target is to identify major factors contributing to production costs as a tool for the improvement of existing processes but also to assist in the design of new, more reliable processes. The results of our analysis demonstrate that for the production of high-value compounds, high-energy-demanding processes can be carried out, including with low productivity, whereas for the production of low-value compounds it is mandatory to minimize power consumption and improve productivity. More precisely, biomass productivity is the major factor impacting the unit production cost, whatever the product; therefore, to optimize the productivity of microalgae production systems, it is mandatory to improve the economic viability of microalgae-based processes.

Today's planet faces several critical problems such as resource depletion, environmental destruction, and climate change that affect all areas of life as we know it. Figuring out how to address these issues and prioritizing Earth’s health has been at the forefront of study as it is a key issue that affects us all. One element that requires further investigation is algae regarding its potential for creating a more sustainable future across the food, energy, and environmental sectors. The Handbook of Research on Algae as a Sustainable Solution for Food, Energy, and the Environment provides insight into the biotechnological and biorefinery aspects of algae together with their unique applications in the agriculture and pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, this book considers the biological and biotechnological processes happening in the cultivation and harvesting of algae, DNA sequencing, and genomics of algae. Moreover, it examines the bio-remediation aspects of algae and its utilization to produce biofuels, methane, hydrogen, and other useful renewable sources of energy, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability. Covering topics such as cell biology and food science, this reference work is ideal for academicians, researchers, industry professionals, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students.