California city investigates algae for water remediation, biofuels

In California, the city of Barstow, under orders from the local water quality council to reduces nitrate levels in local groundwater, said that they were investigating the cultivation of algae for water remediation and production and sale of biofuels. A local developer and a team of researchers from Virginia met with local officials to discuss opportunities to grow algae to eat the nitrates in the groundwater, with the resulting algae harvested for biofuels and potentially as a fertilizer feedstock.

Officials from the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, which is conducting a pilot project for biodiesel production and water remediation, spoke with residents as well as officials about the scope of opportunities. Local developer John Ducich said he was studying the feasibility of a 34-acre algae farm near the Daggett airport.

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