Toxic Algal Blooms Could be Food for Useful Microalgae
Chlorella pyrenoidosa is a type of freshwater algae found around the world. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time, and in recent times, emerged as a leading candidate for the production of biodiesels. Toxic algal blooms, can be seen covering ponds and lakes, and happens due to a rapid growth of algae in the waterbody. Since some of these algae produce toxins harmful to humans and other animals, toxic algal blooms generally lead to a decrease in the amount of fish in the water and amount of life surrounding it.
Now, scientists from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee are trying to use the toxic algal blooms as sources of nutrients for the useful microalgae, like Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The study not only allows efficient biodiesel production, but also help address the problem of toxic algal blooms.
