Monique Aguilar

While macroalgae plays an important roll in our waters it is also very beneficial for us and our planet. Today’s energy is mostly sourced by fossil fuels around the world causing pollution and reduction on natural fuel resources. Macroalgae can be a source to produce biofuels, the two most common types are ethanol and biodiesel. These are known for being first generation of biotechnology. The most utilized algae to create biofuel is the aquatic unicellular green algae (Chlorophyceae), this type of algae can double its biomass in less than 24 hours.

To keep algae growing and sustain its healthy cycle they typically need 3 things to survive. Algae need nutrients to grow which nitrogen and phosphorus are the most important ones. While also needing CO2 and light, algae depends on light for photosynthesis which then contributes to growth.

Macroalgae stores large amounts of carbon for a long period of time. You can find macroalgae spread throughout the global ocean. As stated in prior post they provide habitat to many as well as nutrients, which is why it is crucial we take care and restore what we can. Statistics show that macroalgae is declining by 1.8% annually due to climate warming and other related activities. We can help restore and protect macroalgae by lessening our human impacts, restoring while also contributing to our ecosystem. Keeping our waters clean and taking on our issue with our water pollution problem that is at its all time high.

Macroalgae can provide many usages throughout many different species in marine life. With each using it in multiple different ways, they are considered primary producers that shape many marine food chains. They also offer shelter for a variety of organisms. It is important that we minimize harvesting and reduce excessive richness of nutrients due to runoff.

In todays research I wanted to learn more about a particular algae called kelp, the largest of all algae’s in a marine species. Giant kelp plays many rolls when it comes to our marine species, especially the ones who relay on kelp forests for their habitat, feeding grounds and help overall contribute to a healthy ecosystem. Animals like sea otters utilize kelp, when hunting for food, they wrapped their babies in kelp to prevent their babies from drifting down the water. With how dense and long kelp grows, it can truly provide a habitat for many marine life species. This can vary from sea urchins, many marine mammals, sea stars just to name a few.

Macroalgae is broken up into three large groups that are categorized by color of their dominant photosynthetic and light absorbing compounds. Red (Rhodophyta), which are the largest and most mixed group, red algae is important to reef building organisms. Green (Chlorophyta), contains chlorophyll, you can usually find these in high stressful environments. Brown (Phaephyta), brown algae usually ranges in color from dark to light and can be found in mild temperatures. Algae takes on many forms, which gives marine life of all kinds, options for habitat, or feeding grounds.

Until today I had no clue that macroalgae or seaweed was an umbrella term for a variety of species. This includes the ones you are not able to visible see with your plain sight. Macroalgae comes in many different shape and sizes, some have intricate structures with particular tissues used to transport nutrients. While others are created with cells that are very similar or comes close. Seaweed supplies important coastal protection, providing the nutrients needed and carbon storage. It is also a food source for many and great feed for animals.

Taking on this new research with a topic I knew nothing about was exciting. Exciting in the way of learning something new and hopefully be able to be more knowledgeable about. Biochar production is a process that happens by heating the total quantity or weight of organisms in a certain area or volume, also known as biomass. Pyrolysis (heating) which is the standard technology used to create biochar also occurs in the beginning stages when combustion and gasification is taking place. Not only is biochar being collected, but also bio oil and gas are being produced and used from this production.

Some of the top issues associated with bottom trawling includes the capture of other marine life. Fishermen often capture animals that they are not allowed to keep which then in turn could cause harm or death to the species. This frequently happens also in other situations such as animals they simply don’t want to keep, or cannot sell. To be more detailed on the matter this can vary from all sizes, from sea turtles, seabirds, dolphins, seals and whales. Bottom trawling not only causes harm to the sea floor but throughout our waters, causing harm to habitats and sea life.