Algae are simple plants that serve as the evolutionary ancestors to modern land plants. They are ecologically vital, functioning as primary producers in the ocean. Without algae, the marine food web—from krill to fish to whales—would collapse. Furthermore, algae act as a massive carbon sink and oxygen generator. For every molecule of carbon dioxide they capture into their biomass, they release one molecule of oxygen back into the atmosphere. Roughly 50% of the oxygen we breathe comes from algae. Additionally, every kilogram of algal biomass represents approximately 1.8 kilograms of captured carbon dioxide, making them a crucial tool in mitigating climate change.
Australian scientific organizations extensively monitor marine ecosystems and the role of blue carbon in climate mitigation.
A major application of applied phycology is converting waste into profitable resources. Traditional wastewater treatment is expensive and often struggles to remove inorganic nitrogen and phosphate effectively. However, algae naturally absorb these nutrients to grow. By cultivating algae on wastewater, we can achieve multiple outcomes: cleaning the water, producing energy (biomethane) via anaerobic digestion, and creating algal biomass. This biomass can then be converted into fertilizer, animal feed, or bioplastics. This circular economy approach transforms a costly disposal process into a revenue-generating production line.
Australian utilities and research centres are investigating circular economy principles to improve water management and resource recovery.
Algae cultivation primarily relies on two systems: open ponds and closed photobioreactors. While closed photobioreactors offer higher productivity, they historically suffered from overheating. Recent research has developed self-sustaining closed systems that manage heat efficiently. Western Australia is uniquely positioned for this industry due to three factors: abundant sunlight, vast arid land (avoiding competition with agriculture), and access to seawater. This allows for the cultivation of saline microalgae to produce high-value products like pigments and 'fish oil' (Omega-3s), which are actually originally produced by algae, not fish. The biomass is also a promising future food source, containing up to 50% protein.
Government departments and agricultural bodies in Australia support the development of aquaculture and novel bioproducts.