Amazing algae photos

Check out these stunning images of an algae farm in Western Australia. Hutt Lagoon is about 14 km long by 2k m wide and around 1 m deep. Photographer, Steve Back took the pictures from above, showcasing the amazing pinky red algal blooms. 

The micro-organisms produce beta-carotene, which has a multitude of applications including ice-cream and nutritional supplements for pregnant women.

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You can see more of Back's work here.

Hutt Lagoon (Photo credit: kid_wendy)

Red algae closes Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach, Sydneym Australia was closed to the public on yesterday after the sea turned red with algae. The beach as been closed amid fears the algae could cause skin irritation. Watch the video... 

English: The Bondi Beach, Sydney (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aurora Algae secures AU$2 m grant for biomass platform

Aurora Algae has secured a AU$2 million grant from the Low Emissions Energy Development (LEED) fund to advance the company’s algae-based biomass production at its demonstration facility in Karratha, Western Australia. 

The grant, sponsored by the Australian State Government, has been used to develop a pilot production facility that consistently produces between 12-15 metric tons of algal biomass per month, within six 4,000 square meters (one acre) ponds. With the project now complete, biomass produced by Aurora Algae can be used to develop products across a number of markets including nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, aquaculture and renewable energy.

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English: Aerial view of Karratha, Western Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

New discovery of how carbon is stored in the Southern Ocean

New discovery of how carbon is stored in the Southern Ocean.  A team of British and Australian researchers have discovered a new method of how carbon is drawn from the surface of the sea to the deep waters beneath.  Read more...

A team of British and Australian scientists has discovered an important method of how carbon is drawn down from the surface of the Southern Ocean to the deep waters beneath. The Southern Ocean is an important carbon sink in the world – around 40% of the annual global CO2 emissions absorbed by the world's oceans enter through this region.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-07-discovery-carbon-southern-ocean.html#jCp

Icebergs in the Southern Ocean (Photo credit: Liam Quinn)

Promising news for algae super strain

A freak discovery of a super strain of algae could create a new biofuels industry in Australia.  Read more...

Reliefmap of Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aurora Algae invests in algae bio-diesel

Aurora Algae has tripled the amount of money it wants to spend on a commercial algae bio-diesel plant in Karratha, Western Australia.

The company announced a $100 million expansion of its demonstration facility earlier in 2012 but  thanks good performance, the money has been upped to $300 million.

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English: Aerial view of Karratha, Western Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)