Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
A paddlewheel circulates the water in one of New Mexico's many algae
cultivation ponds.
convert the CO
2
into oxygen and biomass during photosynthesis and the
biomass can then be turned into biofuel.
Algaculture need not affect fresh water resources, as algae can be pro-
duced using ocean and wastewater. Its by-products are biodegradable and,
compared to other energy sources, are relatively harmless to the environ-
ment if spilled. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,
the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced in July 2009 that it would
be spending $85 million on developing algae-based biofuels and advanced
biofuels that would be compatible with the existing infrastructure.
