Algae in Iceland : Exploring Nature's Green Gold

Life is organised in a food chain, and at the bottom of the aquatic food chain are algae. They utilise the energy of light to produce inorganic-organic substances. Microscopic phytoplankton swim in the surface layers and can multiply rapidly under favourable conditions.

Seaweed  is multicellular and much larger, lives in deeper waters and is anchored to the bottom. Physical factors such as air temperature, salinity and draught generally determine which species can live in the upper parts of the seashore, while biological factors such as competition and grazing further control the composition of species in the sea.

Seaweeds, also known as benthic algae, look like plants on land and play the same role in the sea in many respects. However, they are only distantly related to each other. They are only found along the coast in a narrow strip where sunlight can reach the bottom, typically not below a depth of 20 metres. In addition, benthic algae are only found where hard substrates are present.

Since they have no real roots, they cannot attach themselves to sandy or muddy soils. But even in such environments, where they attach themselves to shells and rocks in soft sediment beds, they can be found.

In general, algae are categorised into three major classes, namely green algae, brown algae and red algae, named after the different pigment combinations in these groups.

Species from both classes exist at different depths, but green algae are most abundant in the upper part of the coast, brown algae in the lower part of the seashore, and the shallower part of the ocean in general. Below that, there are the most common red algae. The largest and most conspicuous are the brown algae. Many species use benthic algae. Only sea urchins and a few snail species may feed directly on it, however. 

Dead algae are broken down by microbes and channeled back into the aquatic food chain through them. Dead kelp also drifts to the open ocean and is a source of food farther out in wetlands for detritus and filter feeders. In this way, the productivity of benthic algae in shallow waters influences the quality of the entire marine ecosystem directly or indirectly. 

It is also of great importance because in shallow waters that are structurally similar to forests on land, large brown algae species form kelp forests. The primary production of kelp forest per square mile is among the world’s largest, equivalent to that of tropical rainforests. 

Algae in Iceland is the most active ecosystem. The kelp forests also establish a complex three-dimensional ecosystem, as in forests on land, where other species of animals and algae will grow between the big kelp.

Iceland offers enormous advantages for growth and future development opportunities for emerging and exciting industries. 

Algae culture in Iceland needs the following beneficial factors:

• Absolute cold water abundance
• Cool atmosphere
• Geothermal Green Energy
• Multiple energy-and geothermal power plant valuation sessions
• Contracts in the long term with predictable costs
• Zoned ground, ready for expansion
• Reasons why Iceland should choose:
• Green energy from renewable resources at reasonable rates
• With its competitive prices, Iceland’s renewable geothermal energy offers the algae culture industry a perfect environment for a potential development center for microalgae production.
• Long-term contracts for electricity and stability in the cost of production
• The capacity of Iceland to provide long-term energy contracts provides the cost of production with valuable stability.
• Stable grid links and efficient distribution rates provide additional advantages.
• Exciting prospects for the future
• The culture of algae is an industry with amazing growth potential.
• In a wide range of fields, such as biofuels, Iceland offers the perfect setting for advancing this opportunity.
• Iceland has been designated a leading location for the production of algae biomass from the country’s renewable energy resources and logistical capacity. 
• In their facilities, Algalif produces high-quality natural Astaxanthin through a geothermal power plant in Reykjanes.
• Algaennovation produces ultra-high omega-3 microalgae in new plants.

Conclusion

Algae covers large areas in Iceland. Different species adapt to different depths or are forced into marginal zones by competition.

If you need help in Iceland, please contact the Swapp Agency .