Algae are grown in so-called photobioreactors where they receive the optimal amount of sunlight, carbon dioxide and water. Unlike energy plants such as rape or maize, algae do not require arable land or fertiliser. Yet they are still able to yield a large volume of biomass in a short time. Algae are promising candidates for biofuel and biodegradable plastics.
Aquaponics is a compound word formed from aquaculture and hydroponics. Aquaculture is the controlled breeding of water organisms like fish and algae, while hydroponics refers to the cultivation of plants without soil. In aquaponics fish and plants are bred in the same cycle. The fish excretions supply the fertiliser for growing plants, which in turn purify the water for the fish. One of the best-known examples of aquaponics is the “Tomato Fish” project being conducted by researchers in Berlin. It combines the breeding of cichlids with growing tomatoes.