Facts about Algae

1. 06

   Brown algae species like giant kelp contain alginic acid, a thickening compound used in over 100 commercial products including ice cream, toothpaste, and wound dressings.

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2. 05

   Chlorella, a single-celled green algae, can double its biomass every 24 hours under optimal conditions, making it vastly faster at photosynthesis than most terrestrial plants.

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3. 04

   Red algae species produce phycoerythrin, a fluorescent protein that absorbs blue light at depths where 99 percent of red wavelengths cannot penetrate.

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4. 03

   Diatoms, single-celled algae with glass-like silica shells, produce approximately 50 percent of Earth's oxygen despite comprising only 1 percent of the planet's biomass.

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5. 02

   Kelp forests off the California coast can grow up to 2 feet per day, making them among the fastest-growing organisms on the planet.

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6. 01

   Spirulina algae contains 60 to 70 percent protein by dry weight, making it one of the most protein-dense natural foods on Earth.

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