Microalgae

Microalgae, also called microphytes, are tiny microscopic algae that are too small to see with the naked eye. They float in freshwater and marine systems, living either in the water column or in the sediment. These unicellular organisms can exist alone or in chains. They range in size from just a few micrometers to a few hundred micrometers.

Through photosynthesis, microalgae help our world by making much of the oxygen we breathe. They also use greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to grow. They are the base of the food web, supporting all the trophic levels above them. Because they contain chlorophyll and need sunlight, they often float near the ocean's surface. Microalgae need nitrates, phosphates, and sulfur to make important nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

The biodiversity of microalgae is very large. Scientists think there may be between 200,000 and 800,000 species, but only about 50,000 have been described. Microalgae make many useful compounds such as carotenoids, fatty acids, enzymes, and sterols. These can be used in foods, farming, and as a source for biofuels. Microalgae also help clean the environment through bioremediation. Some types may have special properties that could support health.

Characteristics and uses

Microalgae are tiny plants that float in water. They can change how they work to survive in different places, like when there isn’t enough phosphorus, a type of nutrient.

People use microalgae in many ways, even though most aren’t safe to eat directly. They help make plant food better for growing crops and are used in beauty products that keep skin healthy. In medicine, microalgae help create important compounds that can be used to treat health problems. They also help clean the water by turning carbon into food for other sea creatures and giving us oxygen. Even the omega-3 fats found in fish come from the tiny algae that fish eat.

Cultivation of microalgae

Main article: Culture of microalgae in hatcheries

Microalgae can be grown in both closed systems and open ponds. Open ponds are often used because they cost less. Many types of microalgae are grown in special places called hatcheries. They are used for important things, like food for people, fuel, helping fish and plants grow, making medicines, and creating beauty products.

Scientists study what helps microalgae grow best. They look at the size and shape of the growing space, how much light the algae get, the amount of carbon dioxide, the nutrients they need, and how the water is mixed.