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If you're like many people, when you think of algae you picture the unsightly green film that forms on neglected swimming pools and fish tanks.
如許多人一樣，當你想到藻類的時候，你會在腦海中即刻閃現出在無人問津的游泳池和魚池里表面覆蓋著一層難看的綠膜的畫面。
Scientists, however, have made some discoveries that might change the way you think about this common plant.
然而科學家的發現卻可以改變你對這種普通植物的看法。
Researchers are working on ways to use algae to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels to powercars, trucks, and even airplanes.
研究人員正致力于如何利用藻類來減少我們對用化石燃料發動小車，卡車甚至飛機的依賴。
Algae has attracted attention because it is simple and economicalto grow and carries fewer financial and environmental costs when compared to other alternatives.
藻類會引起科學家們的注意是因為相對于其它可選擇的燃料來說，種植藻類更簡單，經濟，并且花費的財政和環境成本較少。
Algae needs only water to grow, and can use fresh water, salt water, marshlands, and evenwastewater for a habitat.
只要有水藻類就可以存活，它可以在淡水，咸水，沼澤地，甚至污水中生長。
The plant's highly-adapted photosynthesis process allows it to thriveanywhere that abundant sunshine can be found.
該植物高度適應的光合作用過程讓其在任何陽光充足的地方都能茁壯成長。
And even sunshine is optional for this versatile plant because scientists have discovered ways to grow algae in the dark using sugar as a food source.
甚是陽光也只是一個可選擇的條件，因為科學家們發現通過把糖作為食物來源也可以在黑暗中種植藻類。
To use algae as a replacement for fossil fuels, oil is extracted from the plant and developed into abiofuel that can be burned in diesel engines.
若用藻類代替化石燃料，油就會從植物中提取出來，并被加工為可以在柴油機中燃燒的生物燃料。
The yield produced from the algae has proven fargreater than other biofuels currently being developed.
藻類的產量大大高于目前正在開發的其他生物燃料。
For example, soy produces an averageyield of fifty gallons of biofuel per acre per year.
例如，大豆平均每年每英畝可生產五十加侖的生物燃料。
Canola, another common alternative, producesroughly 130 gallons of biofuel per acre per year.
菜籽，另一種常見的替代品，平均每年每英畝大約可生產130加侖。
In contrast, scientists have found that algae can produce up to 4,000 gallons of biofuel per acre per year.
與此相反，科學家們發現藻類平均每年每英畝可生產達4000加侖。
In addition, because algae can be grown on water rather than land and without fertilizers, it may prove to be a more efficient and environmentally sound alternative to the biofuels in use today.
此外，藻類可以在水中而不是陸地上生長，也不需要施肥。因此可以證明目前在使用的生物燃料中它是更有效更環保的替代品。
In the future, then, when you see algae you might think about more than just pond scum!
未來，當你看到藻類的時候你或許想到的不僅僅是“池塘敗類”。
