The Reflecting Pool on the National Mall has been in the news and social media quite a bit in recent weeks because of algae. I will leave all of the political commentary for others. This short essay offers the “science” of how algae forms and how it can help society. This piece was actually inspired by my wife cleaning our cat’s automatic water dispenser, which had been sitting near a window. She noticed green algae stains, and we certainly cannot have our Nova drinking that.
What Is Algae?
“The term ‘algae’ actually encompasses an incredibly large and genetically diverse group of organisms. Genome sequencing has found algae in four different kingdoms: Plantae, Chromista, Protista, and Bacteria,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy website. “Algae can be unicellular or as large as a tree like the giant sea kelp. Algae are typically photosynthetic, meaning they need carbon dioxide and sunlight to grow – just like plants,” the DOE website went on to say. Why is the DOE writing about algae any how? Keep reading, and I will explain later.
The plant-like organisms are found in virtually every type of body of water including lakes, Reflecting Pools, cat water dispensers, and more. “There can be hundreds of algae species in a single lake,” noted a Snohomish County, Washington informational website. “All algae have pigments that allow them to create energy from sunlight through photosynthesis,” it continued.
It’s Just Science
We rely on photosynthesis for life and so does my vegetable garden in the backyard. “Photosynthesis occurs in plants and some bacteria…. All photosynthetic organisms use solar energy to turn carbon dioxide and water into sugar (food) and oxygen,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website.
Algae are not all bad. They act as the base of the food web and provide energy to most aquatic life. They also provide the atmosphere and water with oxygen through the photosynthetic process. However, they can also be a nuisance if they grow rapidly or bloom. “Blooms of free-floating algae, called phytoplankton, may cause the water color to turn different colors such as green or golden brown,” according to the Washington County website, Most blooms are not health risks, but cyanobacteria or blue-green algae can produce toxic, harmful algal blooms.
“I am 90% certain that the algae in the reflecting pool is a cyanobacterium,” said Mark Farmer, a retired phycologist. By the way, a phycologist is a biological scientist who actually studies phytoplankton and algae. “Cyanobacteria are aquatic and photosynthetic, that is, they live in the water, and can manufacture their own food,” noted the California Museum of Paleontology website. “Because they are bacteria, they are quite small and usually unicellular, though they often grow in colonies large enough to see,” it continued. According to the museum, they also are known for being “the oldest known fossils, more than 3.5 billion years old.” They are important, widespread, and apparently quite durable.
Algae And Societal Applications
Researchers affiliated with the DOE have been exploring how to use algae to produce fuel. How is that possible? “Algae accumulate oils that, when extracted, can be converted into renewable fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel,” its website said. “Petroleum is actually, in simple terms, ancient algae subjected to high heat and pressure over millions of years. DOE-funded researchers are working to recreate this natural process in the laboratory,” it went on to say.
Laura Fisher wrote about the “superfood” potential of certain types of algae in Real Simple magazine. “Discover the nutrient-rich world of edible algae with varieties like chlorella, spirulina, and sea moss offering detoxifying and heart-boosting benefits,” stated her key takeaways in the article. Algae is also found in many dietary supplements, skin care products, and cosmetics.
