Technological Applications of Algae

Students, always thinking ahead to future careers, constantly wonder how their
classes prepare them for employment. This chapter, on technological
applications of algae, provides some ideas. Here, we survey ways in which
humans use algae as food, for production of useful compounds, as biofilters
to remove nutrients and other pollutants from wastewaters, to assay water
quality, as indicators of environmental change, in space technology, and as
laboratory research systems. Brief descriptions of genetic engineering and
gene "knock-out" methods that are applied to algae can be found here too.
Water chemists, civil engineers, and molecular biology majors may appreciate
this information.