The article said (if I read it right) direct application of the algae demanded high pressure pumps and so power, and water and came with downside costs.
They seem to be packaging the algae into balls/pellets with a lot of other organic matter, and "seeding" the desert with them to take advantage of weather conditions which will encourage plant growth. This means it's really as much about the organics, as the blue-green algae to me.
The article also suggests this research institute knows what they're doing, they've a good track record of reversing desertification with other techniques.
I kind of hoped it was a workable spray solution (hah) because that felt like it might be tractable for UAV to distribute, but they need higher pressure to penetrate the cracks in the surface at volume.
I think we're all familiar with BG mats when temporary water dries up. Nice to see something positive being made of them.
ggm•1h ago
They seem to be packaging the algae into balls/pellets with a lot of other organic matter, and "seeding" the desert with them to take advantage of weather conditions which will encourage plant growth. This means it's really as much about the organics, as the blue-green algae to me.
The article also suggests this research institute knows what they're doing, they've a good track record of reversing desertification with other techniques.
I kind of hoped it was a workable spray solution (hah) because that felt like it might be tractable for UAV to distribute, but they need higher pressure to penetrate the cracks in the surface at volume.
I think we're all familiar with BG mats when temporary water dries up. Nice to see something positive being made of them.