Positive Uses of Algae

These images show lakes with an algae bloom.

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

• Does an algae bloom have other potential uses besides being a nuisance and possible negative effect on a water supply?
• What causes algae bloom to occur in a particular body of water?

Classroom Suggestions

Have students:

• Make correlations between the reason for an algae bloom in a body of water and the body of water’s potential uses.
• Investigate the differences between the common algae bloom species that are found in Iowa waters.
• Investigate why algae can be considered a favorable green energy or natural resource.

Related Resources

• Popular Science: This article describes a new system that uses algae to clean water and then transforms it into organic fertilizer.
• The Courier: This news story details how the severity of algae in Iowa lakes has increased.