What are microalgae: characteristics, examples and importance

Biofuel production, biorremediation of contaminated water and primary production are some examples of microalgae capacities and the benefits that can be obtained from them.

Taxonomically speaking, microalgae encompass eukaryotic species of the protist kingdom, although from the biotechnological point of view the term is used for those microorganisms that contain chlorophyll to and other photosynthetic pigments and that can perform oxygenic photosynthesis. It is for this reason that, despite being prokaryotic agencies, also The cyanobacteria In this group.

There are more than 30,000 species of microalgae and only around 100 have been studied. If you want to know more about these intriguing microorganisms I invite you to see some of its characteristics:

• They are microscopic organisms: They can measure between 2 and 200 µm, they are unicellular and mostly photosynthetic, that is, they have the ability to use sunlight as a source of energy. In addition, did you know that its photosynthetic efficiency can become four times greater than that of plants?
• They are usually autotrophic microorganisms: since they have the ability to fix the CO2 of the atmosphere to produce their own biomass through photosynthesis. Although there are also heterotrophic microalgae, which unlike the previous ones use organic compounds as a carbon source. Do not hesitate to take a look at the following article on autotrophic organisms: what are, characteristics and examples in Ecology Verde.
• His life cycle is completed in hours: The life cycle of most microalgae species is completed only in hours. They can reproduce sexually and asexually, mainly by binary fission or mitosis.
• They can contain reserve substances: Depending on the cultivation and species conditions in question, microalgae can contain numerous reserve substances inside such as lipids, carbohydrates and proteins.
• They are the first step of the many trophic chains: Thanks to their photosynthetic capacity they are the first link of trophic chains, that is, the primary producers of organic matter, serving as food for the other species of the ecosystem. You can take a look at the following article on producing organisms: what are and examples, here.
• They are cosmopolitan species: their adaptability allows them to be widely distributed by the biosphere, tolerating a wide range of conditions. They can grow in all bodies of water such as lakes, seas and rivers, but also in terrestrial and extreme areas such as ice and deserts. Here you can find more information about the cosmopolitan species: what is and examples.

Now that we know what microalgae are, we will know some examples of microalgae that may sound to you but you didn’t know that it was them.

Cyanobacteria (Cyanophyceae class)

Also known as bluish green algae, they are The most primitive algae and those responsible for having generated an atmosphere with oxygen on planet Earth. As mentioned above, while these bacteria are not considered taxonomically as algae, they are encompassed under the term of “microalgae” by their similar characteristics.

Blue green algae are the main responsible for algal flowers In areas of eutrophication of aquatic environments, that is, with excess nutrients in the water, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. These conditions usually cause the massive proliferation of cyanobacteria, carrying negative effects on ecosystems, such as the alteration of water quality and the production of toxic substances that are harmful to human and animal health.

To know more about cyanobacteria: what are, characteristics and examples, do not hesitate to take a look at this post of ecology.

Diatomeas (Bacillarioophyceae class)

These microorganisms are found both in fresh and salty waterthey are one of the most abundant groups in phytoplankton and are responsible for 25% of the total carbon that is set in the oceans per year. Diatoms are one of the main foods of the Antarctic Krill, small crustaceans living in Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, near Antarctica, and which in turn are a source of food for numerous fish, whales and birds, hence they are key microorganisms in the marine trophic chain.

From these these microalgae The well -known “diatom land” is obtained widely used in gardening and agriculture. If you want to learn more about this product and what is used for, we invite you to read this article about what the land of diatoms is and what it is in Ecology Verde.

Dinoflagellated (Dinophyceae class)

Very abundant in the marine phytoplankton, they are those responsible for a very striking phenomenon, Bioluminescence. Due to the presence of an enzyme called Luciferesa, in conditions of darkness and mechanical stimulation they are able to generate small flashes of very colorful blue or red light.

They are also very important in the formation of coral reefs, since some dinoflagelladas called zooxantelas, live in symbiotic association with corals, providing them oxygen and food in exchange for CO2 and a protected environment.

Discover what bioluminescence and examples are in this article that we recommend.

Microalgae have a intrinsic value by themselves In ecosystemscontribute to the biodiversity of the planet, are the basis of many food chains and set the atmospheric CO2 by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Even so, thanks to its rapid reproduction rate, the low requirements of substrate and space, there are many advantages that human societies can obtain from their production. Let’s look at some of them:

• BIORREMEDIATION: Microalgae are used to eliminate chemical substances in domestic, animals and industrial wastewater, such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and nutrients. The microorganisms incorporate these substances through metabolism without affecting their biological activity, in turn produce large amounts of biomass, which can be used later for the production of cosmetics, fertilizers and even in 3D impressions.
• Fuels: Thanks to the high lipid contents, microalgae biomass for biodiesel production can be used, in addition to bioethanol and methane. As an alternative to fossil fuels, the production of biofuels from microalgae turns out to be a renewable, biodegradable option and without CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.
• Aquaculture: Microalgae production can be used directly as a source of food from other commercial importance, such as molluscs, crustaceans and some fish.
• Agriculture: Some microalgae, especially cyanobacteria can be used as biofertilizers to fix nitrogen on crop fields, replacing traditional chemical fertilizers.
• Chemical and Food Industry: Due to the chemical composition that the different species of microalgae can have, they can be used to obtain substances of commercial interest such as vitamins, pigments, amino acids, polysaccharides, enzymes, essential fatty acids, among others.

You may find it interesting to consult the following post about what is the importance of ecosystems.

If you want to read more articles similar to What are microalgae: characteristics, examples and importancewe recommend that you enter our biology category.