Algae Research
Student
Mr. Teacher
AP English Literature
07 December 2013
Algae Biodiesel "Most fossil fuel supply experts project a future in which world crude oil supply drops two to five per cent per year... If it happens in 2015: by 2030 people must manage on 33% less oil, in 2045 they have 50% less, in 2060 they have 75% less" (“Fossil Fuel Depletion”). Fuel is essential in our society, and this depletion has affected and will continue to affect everyone. Because fossil fuels are nonrenewable, biodiesel is the next best thing. "Biodiesel refers to any diesel-equivalent bio fuel made from renewable biological materials such as vegetable oils or animal fats consisting of long chain saturated hydrocarbons" (“Biodiesel from Algae”). Unfortunately, biodiesel made from land based crops include various problems, namely the displacement of food and amount of crops needed to produce just one gallon of oil (“Biodiesel from Algae”). "Algae were first explored as a fuel alternative in 1978 under Jimmy Carter... Algae are easy to grow and can be manipulated to produce huge amounts without disturbing any natural habits or food sources... Algae are easy to please- all they need are water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide" (“How Algae Biodiesel Works”). Algae have been proven to yield 30 times more energy per acre than any [land based] crop (“Biodiesel from Algae”), algae biodiesel companies will only need a fragment of the land currently used for other biodiesel products to build [algae] biodiesel plants (“How Algae Biodiesel Works”). Algae even help reduce emissions. “Through photosynthesis, algae pull carbon dioxide from the air, replacing it [carbon dioxide] with oxygen” (“How Algae Biodiesel Works”). Therefore, Algae biodiesel is the most beneficial and efficient fuel source. “Algae are used in Wastewater Treatment facilities, reducing the need for greater amounts of toxic chemicals than are already used” (“Uses of Algae as Energy Source, Fertilizer, Food and Pollution control”).
Mr. Teacher
AP English Literature
07 December 2013
Algae Biodiesel "Most fossil fuel supply experts project a future in which world crude oil supply drops two to five per cent per year... If it happens in 2015: by 2030 people must manage on 33% less oil, in 2045 they have 50% less, in 2060 they have 75% less" (“Fossil Fuel Depletion”). Fuel is essential in our society, and this depletion has affected and will continue to affect everyone. Because fossil fuels are nonrenewable, biodiesel is the next best thing. "Biodiesel refers to any diesel-equivalent bio fuel made from renewable biological materials such as vegetable oils or animal fats consisting of long chain saturated hydrocarbons" (“Biodiesel from Algae”). Unfortunately, biodiesel made from land based crops include various problems, namely the displacement of food and amount of crops needed to produce just one gallon of oil (“Biodiesel from Algae”). "Algae were first explored as a fuel alternative in 1978 under Jimmy Carter... Algae are easy to grow and can be manipulated to produce huge amounts without disturbing any natural habits or food sources... Algae are easy to please- all they need are water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide" (“How Algae Biodiesel Works”). Algae have been proven to yield 30 times more energy per acre than any [land based] crop (“Biodiesel from Algae”), algae biodiesel companies will only need a fragment of the land currently used for other biodiesel products to build [algae] biodiesel plants (“How Algae Biodiesel Works”). Algae even help reduce emissions. “Through photosynthesis, algae pull carbon dioxide from the air, replacing it [carbon dioxide] with oxygen” (“How Algae Biodiesel Works”). Therefore, Algae biodiesel is the most beneficial and efficient fuel source. “Algae are used in Wastewater Treatment facilities, reducing the need for greater amounts of toxic chemicals than are already used” (“Uses of Algae as Energy Source, Fertilizer, Food and Pollution control”).
Cited: “Algal Oil Yields.” oilgae.com. Oilgae, n.d. Web. 16 December, 2012. . “Biodiesel from Algae.” oilgae.com. Oilgae, n.d. Web. 16 December, 2012. . Gabel, David A. “Why are we not Drowning in Algae Biofuel?” oilprice.com. Environmental News Network, 16 October, 2012. Web. 6 January, 2013. . Kunstler, James Howard. “The Long Emergency.” New York: Publishers Group West, 2009. Print. “Large-scale Biodiesel Production from Algae.” oilgae.com. Oilgae, n.d. Web. 16 December, 2012. . Newman, Stefani. “How Algae Biodiesel Works.” howstuffworks.com. HowStuffWorks, 18 June, 2008. Web. 15 December, 2012. . Stecker, Tiffany, and ClimateWire. “Algal Biofuel Sustainability Review Highlights Concerns about Water Supply.” Scientificamerican.com. Scientific American, 25 October, 2012. Web. 15, December, 2012.< http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=algal-biofuel-sustainability-review-hightlights-concerns-about-water-safety>. “Uses of Algae as Energy Source, Fertilizer, Food and Pollution control.” oilgae.com. Oilgae, n.d. Web. 16 December, 2012. .