The airline industry is looking into the possibility of algae-based fuel oil. Algae are simple organisms that are easy to grow and require little food and space—just water, air and sunshine.

Researchers speculate that a blend of petroleum and algae-based fuel could be effectively produced, requiring less growing space than corn- and soybean-based biofuels need. Pure algae fuel also has potential, but blends of algae fuel and gasoline achieved a 91 octane rating—on par with traditional fuel (Les Blumenthal, "Go Green: Algae Could Be Next Hot Biofuel," The Bellingham Herald, Dec. 8, 2008).