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Powering the Future: Biofuels

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Activity: Algal Photosynthesis Describe the requirements of photosynthesis Take measurements to assess the rate of photosynthesis under varying conditions Evaluate the benefits of producing biofuels from algae and the conditions required

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To help combat climate change the UK has a target to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. 30% of the UK renewable energy could come from biomass heat and electricity by 2020. To meet the European Renewable Energy Directive, the UK is aiming for 10% of transport energy to be from renewable sources by 2020. 18% of the sustainable renewable road transport fuel used in the UK between April 2012 and April 2013 came from UK feedstocks. Facts and Figures

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Algae : Algae are a diverse group of eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms. They can be single-celled (unicellular) or multicellular such as seaweed. Microalgae have been described as natures very own power cells and could provide alternatives to petroleum-based fuels without competing with crops.

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Algae products : There are a wide range of bioenergy products that can be obtained from culturing algae including biomass for combustion to produce heat and electricity, fermentation to produce bioethanol, biobutanol or biogas, oil for conversion to biodiesel or even possibly algal synthesised biodiesel.

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Algae light microscope image: In order to develop biofuels from algae, research is being conducted to find suitable strains that produce high levels of oils, can tolerate heat and high concentrations of carbon dioxide, and are easy to harvest. Plymouth Marine Laboratory

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Bubble Columns: Microalgae can be grown in large bioreactors and continually harvested unlike crops or macroalgae. They could be grown using the waste carbon dioxide from industrial processes, power stations or waste treatment plants. The oil they produce can then be converted into liquid fuel. Plymouth Marine Laboratory

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Scanning Electron Microscope image of algae: Algae can harvest the power of the sun through photosynthesis and convert this into biomass including oil. They are fast growing and more efficient than plants at absorbing carbon dioxide. Plymouth Marine Laboratory

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Scanning Electron Microscope image of algae: There may well be naturally occurring algae that can perform many of the tasks that we might want and researchers carrying out bioprospecting hope to identify suitable strains by selective screening. Plymouth Marine Laboratory

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Fluorescent staining of oil in algae: In order to develop algal biofuels research is being conducted to find suitable strains that produce high levels of oils, can tolerate heat and high concentrations of carbon dioxide, and are easy to harvest. Plymouth Marine Laboratory

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Hydrogen carbonate indicator: Photosynthesis can be measured as the indicator turns from yellow to purple as carbon dioxide is removed from the solution by the algae. The amount of light that will pass through the indicator decreases as it turns purple and this can be measured with a colourimeter.

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Activity: Algal Photosynthesis Describe the requirements of photosynthesis Take measurements to assess the rate of photosynthesis under varying conditions Evaluate the benefits of producing biofuels from algae and the conditions required

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