Algaculture
Algaculture
Algaculture (pronunciation: /ˈælgəˌkʌltʃər/) is a form of aquaculture involving the farming of species of algae. The majority of algaculture involves microalgae (also referred to as phytoplankton, microphytes, or planktonic algae) rather than macroalgae, such as seaweed.
Etymology
The term "algaculture" is a combination of the words "algae" and "culture." "Algae" is a diverse group of aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis. The word "algae" comes from the Latin word for "seaweed." "Culture" in this context refers to the cultivation of crops.
History
Algaculture has been practiced for centuries, with the Chinese harvesting kelp and other types of seaweed as far back as 600 AD. In the 20th century, algaculture expanded to include the cultivation of microalgae for a variety of purposes, including food production, biofuel, and health supplements.
Types of Algaculture
There are several types of algaculture, including open pond algaculture, photobioreactor algaculture, and fermenter algaculture. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method depends on the specific goals of the algaculture operation.
Applications
Algaculture has a wide range of applications. It is used in the production of biofuel, as a food source for humans and animals, in the production of health supplements, and in the treatment of wastewater. Algaculture is also used in the production of bioplastics, a type of plastic derived from renewable biomass sources.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Algaculture
- Wikipedia's article - Algaculture
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