lorenzopoli photography

MICROALGAE - THE METABOLIC VESSEL

WINNER TIFA TOKYO INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD 2022  - Science Category

The Metabolic Vessel delves into the ancestral realm of algae: these pioneers of Life on Earth are now being thrust into new roles, as mankind seeks to harness their potential for a new era.

Algae played a crucial role in shaping the Earth's environment at the dawn of origins, due to their extraordinary resilience and flourishing ability in even the most extreme habitats. They provided the conditions for the evolution of all complex life forms, including humans. From the icy depths of Antarctic lakes to the scorching sulphurous volcanic springs, they persist. Their doubling rate is equal to none, a testament to their tenacity and unwavering spirit. 

Through the extraordinary process of photosynthesis, algae weave the very fabric of life, crafting precious oxygen that permeates the air we breathe. They form the foundation of aquatic ecosystems food chain, by providing sustenance and sanctuary to a multitude of creatures. Oil and coal, relics of ancient algae, ignited the engines of our “progress” and powered the rise of humanity. 

Algae have played a crucial role in regulating the very balance of our climate, mitigating the effects of greenhouse gases and contributing to its stability, the same balance now shaken by human intervention. It is an undeniable truth that without the contributions of these living organism, human presence upon this Earth would be improbable.

As a new chapter unfolds, humanity confronts itself with the limitations of conventional agriculture and the scarcity of land, and turn its gaze to these microorganisms for sustenance. Algae, with their bountiful reserves of high-value ingredients, they whisper promises of a sustainable future, as they are cultivated to produce single cell proteins, vibrant pigments, bioactive substances, pharmaceutical wonders, and even the secrets of beauty.

In the realm of fuel, algae biofuels emerged as a beacon of hope, with a promise to redefine our relationship with energy, offering a cleaner and more harmonious solution to the fossil fuels that have fuelled our progress. By efficiently converting nutrients into biomass, they hold the potential to reverse the effects of our carbon-laden ways. 

Though we have identified a staggering 72,500 algae species, a mere 220 are currently harnessed for our purposes. The enigmatic question arises: “will these ancestors of Earth play also a future role in a grand, new form of mass-industrialised “nature”?