[extropy-chat] A Grim Vision ...?

[Eugen Leitl]

On Fri, Apr 13, 2007 at 07:37:37AM -0400, Robert Bradbury wrote:

>    What people aren't generally aware of is that more ideal "natural"
>    photosynthetic systems can be pushed to 6-8% efficiency in
>    photobioreactors.  So the solution for maximal output (either for food

There are advantages in controlled eutrophication of large bodies
of water, versus highly controlled environments.

>    or fuel) is solar ponds using a mix of photosynthetic microorganisms.
>    What you want is photosynthetic spirulina for food and photosynthetic
>    yeast for alcohol.  It is worth noting that something like a dozen

Some microalgae contain up to 50% of oil, which is suitable for biodiesel.
Most important: unlike ethanol, oil does not have to be destilled.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algaculture

>    different species of photosynthetic microorganisms have been sequenced
>    and the information is sitting in NCBI or DOE databases.  Constructing
>    solar ponds has significantly lower technology inputs, investment
>    requirements and bureaucracy and legal headaches compared with nuclear
>    reactors.  Also worth noting is that one can do it on land which may
>    or will be unsuitable for natural agricultural production.

Or no land at all, shallow lagunes. The Salton Sea is an often cited
model.

-- 
Eugen* Leitl <a href="http://leitl.org">leitl</a> http://leitl.org
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