The Effect of Different Wavelengths of Light on Algae Growth in Samples from Dolese-Main

Abstract

As sustainable energy becomes more essential for society, homegrown fuel sources, such as algae, are becoming more of a desire. From ponds to algae farms, algae is everywhere and has various purposes. With such an abundance, organizations that specialize in biofuels focus on maximizing the production of fossil fuel alternatives. In this experiment, we tested the algal growth depending on different light wavelengths. We hypothesized that the white light will maximize algal growth compared to red and green light sources, since all wavelengths of color will be absorbed by the algae. To test our hypothesis, we measured the algal growth by finding the cell density after two, one-week periods underneath red, white, and green light sources. We found that algae has a higher growth rate in white light compared to red and green light. Ultimately, our hypothesis was supported by our data. Algae farms should look to utilize white light before ever using red or green light.