Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

Duckweed has long been seen as a scourge on the environment because of its ability to quickly repopulate and take over polluted water bodies, at times causing a reduction in aquatic biodiversity. While the general public sees duckweed as pollution in and of itself, researchers and now entrepreneurs see a powerful bioremediation tool that can return waste waters to potable condition with the added benefit of a high volume, quality protein biomass capable of use as animal feedstocks, bioplastics, and potentially bioenergy. Sustainable aquatic nutrient management is now possible in industrial, municipal, and agricultural settings. The ability for duckweed to outproduce corn and soy thirty to one makes it a serious candidate as a ?new crop? to reduce protein needs on a global basis. Note: The International Lemna Association was founded in June, 2012 and works to bring commercial duckweed production to the US and abroad. My presentation will highlight the past forty years of research and current developments in sustainable commercial applications.

Biography