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02 April 2004

Gallery: Algae provides the breath of life

Algae growing in standing pools of water is an early sign of spring. Algae is often ridiculed for being slimy and for its affinity for growing in unpleasant, at least in human terms, locations. Yet, as shown by the large bubble of oxygen shown here, algae provides a highly visible reminder of the crucial role played by all green plant in the release of oxygen from water as a byproduct of photosynthesis. Forrest M. Mims III.