Microalgae

• Prize
  Gold in Science/Environment , 1st Place winner in Science
• Photographer
  Lorenzo Poli
• Technical Info
  Nikon D850, Nikon Z7 Ii
• Photo Date
  July 2022

Microalgae are ancestral organisms able to live in extreme habitats: from Antarctic lakes to hot and sulphurous volcanic springs. They are amongst the fastest growing creatures with a very short doubling time. Microalgae have been playing, since the origin of Life on Earth, a critical role in the food web production, by converting CO2 and inorganic nutrients to oxygen and organic matter via photosynthesis. Lately, humankind shifted towards microalgae for food and possible alternatives to carbon fossil fuels. Above 72,500 algae species have been identified, with just 220 currently being used.