Work Algae, Party All Night - How the addition of fertilizer affects the growth rate of algae.

Zachary Lewis, Erin Massey, Ashlyn Mullin, Heath Moorman, Elizabeth Dawkins

Abstract


Algae is rapidly becoming an emerging resource in the challenge of creating a renewable energy source. Due to its rapid growth rate and ease of growing, algae is a good resource to turn to for the creation of biofuels. For our experiment, we measured and analyzed algae growth with the addition of increasing concentrations of fertilizer. We measured the initial and final cell density of algae after a week had passed in each water and fertilizer solution to see which one had the highest growth rate. Our results, which ultimately demonstrated cell death in certain fertilizer chemicals, can be used in the continuing advancement in the production of sustainable biofuels.

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References


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