Blog 22: Algae an Effective Source for Biofuel

Scientists have extensively been researching the usefulness of algae as a biofuel, and results have proven it to be capable of being turned into one. It is necessary to edge away from our dependence  on nonrenewable energy sources, such as coal and oil, in favor of greener, renewable fuel sources. Algae is ideal for this because mass amounts of it can be produced in small spaces in order to satisfy high fuel demands. Unlike other biofuels, like ethanol made from corn and biodiesel made from soybeans, great amounts of algae based biofuel can be produced efficiently in a small area since algae is very versatile and can be grown in various types of water ranging from wastewater to brackish water in small plots. Additionally, a biofuel made from algae would burn far cleaner than traditional fossil fuel based sources because it produces much less carbon emissions when burned, as well as the fact that the algae consumes CO2 when growing and living for use in photosynthesis. Currently, researchers are considering a strain of algae called Nannochloropis gaditana as a potentially viable fuel source since it can be produced at an industrial scale and contains the necessary lipid levels to function as a  biofuel.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120403153602.htm

Blog 21: Downsides to Nuclear Energy

Many people believe that nuclear energy is the direction the US should take. They think it is far more efficient and cleaner than other nonrenewable sources of energy we are currently using; however, they fail to realize that there are major drawbacks to the use of nuclear energy that make it just as harmful as other energy sources. The significant harmful factors associated with it that many neglect are:

• It is extremely expensive to build nuclear power plants, ranging between $12 and $18 million to establish a new facility, not to mention the costly expenses of maintaining and upgrading existing plants.
• We will still be just as dependent on oil from the Middle East since it is predominantly used in cars, while nuclear energy produces electrical energy.
• Nuclear power plants run on minerals, such as uranium, that are high in radons, and the mining of which produces radioactive substances that easily contaminate the environment.
• These facilities produce large quantities of radioactive materials, which are impossible to store or dispose of safely without contaminating the environment or posing harm to people. Radioactivity is proven to result in disorders and disease in people, particularly cancer, and those exposed to it will suffer the harmful effects. 
• The actual process of refinement and use of the minerals these plants run on cause carbon emissions in at least equal if not greater amounts as coal plants, so it really isn't a cleaner form of energy. 

http://www.examiner.com/article/7-reasons-why-nuclear-power-is-bad-for-the-environment-and-the-nation

Blog 20: Detecting Pollution By Studying Water's Natural Fluorescence

Dissolved organic matter comes from a wide array of sources, both natural and man-made. While some of these sources are point sources that are easily identified, many are unknown, non-point sources. Using new techonolgy and equipment, such as spectrophotometers, it is possible to measure the natural fluorescence given off by dissolved organic material. This is given off at shorter wavelenghts, invsible to the naked eye. Molecules of the matter are energized by ultaviolet light and appear fluorescent when studied with particular equipment. By tracking the fluorescence, we can analyze trends, concentrations, and sources of dissolved organic materials. This will help to determine where problem areas are along bodies of water and the effects high pollutant concentrations have on the ecosystems.

http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/14000/%60Glowing%60_technique_could_detect_river_pollution.html