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Growing marine algae

In experimental tanks at WHOI, guest student Tyler Goepfert grows different species of marine algae to test which might be best suited for harvesting and converting into biofuels. Goepfert is working with WHOI marine chemists Chris Reddy and Mak Saito, and Scott Lindell of the Marine Biological Laboratory on a project to provide insights that could sustain and optimize large-scale biofuel production. Theoretically, algae could yield 20 times more biofuel per acre than those made of vegetables such as soybeans—in part because they grow extremely fast. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)