Algae: Tiny Organisms With Giant Impact On Our Planet
Algae What are Algae? Algae refer to a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms that live in aquatic environments. They can be single-celled or multicellular and exist in many shapes, sizes and colors. Scientifically, algae lack true stems, roots and leaves like plants. Some common types of algae include seaweeds, pond scum, and spirulina. Algae are classified into four main groups - green algae, red algae, brown algae and diatoms. They can be found virtually everywhere on Earth - in both freshwater and marine environments. Coastal oceans alone contain over 25,000 identified species of algae. Overall, scientists estimate there may be over 1 million undiscovered algal species worldwide. Oxygen Production and Carbon Capture One of algae’s most important roles is producing oxygen through photosynthesis. Studies show that algae generate approximately 50-85% of the world’s oxygen, far surpassing terrestrial plants. A single acre of algae can annually produce as much oxygen as 450 ac...