Algae as an Alternative Energy Source

tricornutum, D. primolecta, M. salina, T. suecia, Isochrysis and B. braunii. The six microalgae species were grown in seawater that was enriched with nitrogen, phosphorous and trace metals. The microalgae was contained within six Plexiglas vessels, 5 cm thick, 39 cm deep and 24 cm wide. A 2,000 watt Tungsten-halide lamp was placed at the side of each Plexiglas vessels, with varying intensity. The intensity, measured in percent, was in comparison to the normal California sun. The lamps were placed behind a water/CuSO4 thermal heater. The algae was then cultured for forty to ninety days. In the beginning of the experiment, the microalgae cultures were maintained in batch mode but later on they were cultured into continuous and semi-continuous dilution modes. As the experiment continued, the independent variables, including the light intensity, the dilution rate and the N status, were manipulated. The process of photosynthesis was also altered. The six microalgal strains were then observed. Their dry mass, which is the mass of the microalgae, in grams, actually cultivated in the experiment, was weighed and noted. The composition of the microalgal algae, including the percentage of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids present within the drymass of the algae. The oil was extracted from the drymass of the algae through various methods. The actual procedure of the experiment was carried out differently in respect to each microalgal strain. The treatments to each microalgal strain differ in the light intensity, the different batch methods, and the different uses methods of obtaining N-deficient cultures and the use of the thermal filter, which was inconsistent in each specific microalgal species experiment. However, each microalgal species produced lipids in their optimum own, specific conditions. T. suecia and P. tricornutum had the optimal production of lipids, as it had the highest percentage of lipids of the drymass. The other microalgal species all had lipid productions; however T. suecia and P. tricornutum had the highest lipid productions in comparison to the other microalgal species. This does give evidence to the fact that algae are good producers of lipids, which are then converted into biofuel. In comparison to other organic species, microalgae is highly oily and the oil is able to be harvested for the use of biofuel. The amount of oil will offer a credible alternative to the energy crisis our country is currently experiencing.