Economic Importance Of Algae | Beneficial Effects of Algae

Algae are aquatic organisms that are often mistaken for plants. They lack certain key plant structures, such as true roots, stems, leaves, and specialized reproductive structures. Algae are simple in structure, but they are important in the ecosystem for their role in photosynthesis and as a food source for other organisms. Algae lack certain structures that are found in land plants, such as leaves, roots, and other organs. Algae are distinguished from land plants by these missing structures.

Economic Importance Of Algae

Algae have the following beneficial effects:

1. Primary Producers:

Algae have an excellent ability to absorb sunlight and carry out photosynthesis Thus these are major producers. They carry out more than 50% of food-fat marine animals. They also produce oxygen during photosynthesis in fresh water and marine ecosystem. This oxygen is consumed by aquatic animals for respiration

2. Source Of Food For Man:

Photosynthesis is something that most people think of as being carried out by plants, but fungi do most of the work in our fresh and marine waters.

• They store a ton of energy, which is why some green algae are eaten by humans. Dried Spirogyra and Oedogonium are also consumed by people, and kelps (brown algae) are eaten in China and Japan.
• Chlorella is used in the preparation of cakes and pastries
• Porphyra is eaten by man. These are also used in puddings and soups
• Diatoms are a major source of food for marine fishes. These fishes are consumed by human.

3. Drugs And Medicines:

Different algae give the following drugs:

Chlorellin, an antibiotic, is derived from Chlorella. It is effective against gram-positive bacteria. Agar-agar, a laxative, comes from Gelidium. Chara plants are used to kill mosquito larvae.

4. Uses Of Diatomaceous Earth:

The Diatomaceous earth is formed by the death of diatoms.

It has the following uses:

• It is used to polish metal and automobiles.
• Algae has many uses. It can be found in toothpaste and other dental hygiene products. It is also used as a fire-proof material. In the sugar industry, algae are used to filter oils and syrups. Algae is also an absorbent, so it is found in dynamites.
• Lightweight bricks are prepared from it. These bricks are used for building fireproof houses.

5. Algin:

Algin is obtained from different algae. It has the following uses:

• It is used as an adhesive structure in artificial silk.
• It is used in ice creams.
• Algin is used as a moisture retainer in many types of medicines.
• It is used in paints and many pharmaceutical products.
• It is used in the processing of natural and synthetic rubbers.

6. Gelatin:

Gelatin is obtained from red algae. Gelatin is used as a base in shoe polishes, shaving creams, cosmetics, shampoos, glue, jellies, candles, and toothpaste.

7. Mineral Sources:

Kelps (brown algae) are a good source of many minerals. Some brown algae are rich sources of the zine. iron, copper boron, and manganese. Bromine is extracted from red algae. Potash and iodine are extracted from kelps. Some kelps have soda contents. Thus these are used in the preparation of soap and glasses. These are also sources of ammonia and charcoal.

8. Uses In Agriculture:

For centuries seaweed has been used as a fertilizer. These algae contain potassium, calcium, nitrogen compounds, and phosphates. These compounds are very useful for plants. Algae are also used as fertilizers, soil conditioners, and livestock feed. Maerl is commonly used as a soil conditioner.

9. Role In Aquaculture:

Culturing of fishes or other useful animals in ponds is called aquaculture. Aquatic and microscopic species of algae are cultured in clear ponds. These are consumed by fishes or another cultured aquatic animals. Most of the phytoplanktons are algae. Many fishes consume these phytoplanktons.

10. Prevention From Soil Erosion:

Many species of algae form a mat on the soil during the rainy season. These algae act as binding agents. It prevents soil erosion. These algae also increase the water holding capacity of the soil. This water is available for crops.

11. Pollution Control:

Algae play the following role in pollution control:

• Sewage is treated with algae. It reduces the usage of large amounts of toxic chemicals.
• Algae can be used to capture fertilizers in runoff from farms. Later the, enriched algae itself can be used as fertilizer.
• Aquariums and ponds can be filtered using algae.
• Scientists have found that algae can be used to reduce nutrient runoff from agricultural fields. It increases the quality of water flowing into rivers, streams, and oceans. The enriched algae itself also can be used as a fertilizer.

12. Bioremediation:

Algae Stichococcus bacillary is used to colonize silicone resins. This resin is used at archaeological sites. This is bioremediation of the synthetic substance.

13. Dyes:

Natural pigments (carotenoids and chlorophylls) are produced by algae. These are used as an alternative to chemical dyes and coloring agents.