| “ | Make algae, not war | ” |
| — Monty Green | ||
Algae is an informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms.[1]
Throughout the Series[]
In Twilight's Last Gleaming, one of the alternative solutions suggested by Abby Griffin to the Culling is forcing an algae bloom to boost oxygen production. However, Thelonious Jaha states that it will just contaminate the water supply and has already been considered.
In The Chosen, Clarke explains to Raven that the Go-Sci Ring has an algae farm that they can use to survive on for the next five years.
In Praimfaya, Clarke calculates the amount of supplies they will need to survive until the farm can produce enough algae to survive on.
In Eden, Spacekru are shown eating the algae Monty made six years after the Second Nuclear Apocalypse. Its mentioned that an early strain created by Monty put John Murphy into a coma for a week.
In How We Get to Peace, Monty uses the toxic strain of his algae to repair the Second Dawn Bunker's hydrofarm which was devastated by a fungus. Kara Cooper is impressed with his work, commenting that his mother would be proud of him. Monty explains that its the nitrogen in the algae and while its safe for the plants, its not safe for humans. Monty stops Cooper from ingesting some of it, telling her about how it had sent Murphy into a coma. Bellamy later uses some of the same algae to put Octavia into a coma.
In Sic Semper Tyrannis, Eric Jackson is able to pull Octavia out of her coma using dialysis.
In The Warriors Will, Monty reveals that he succeeded in fixing the hydrofarm with his algae, but it is burned down by Octavia in order to force Wonkru to march on Shallow Valley.
In Damocles (Part 2), while discussing survival options, Monty suggests using algae again for food. Murphy groans "float me now" upon hearing this idea. Later, during Monty's first recorded message, he mentions that his algae farm onboard Eligius IV is "awesome" and that there is "no surprise there.". In Monty's message on the two year anniversary of the Damocles Event, he jokes that "Harper has been eating a little too much algae" when they reveal her pregnancy.In Sanctum, Jordan Green presents Abby with algae that Monty had cultivated for her to use as an anesthetic to save Marcus Kane's life. Abby uses it all up in the surgery, but Kane collapses and is forced to be put back into cryo. Abby orders Jordan to make more of the algae for her.
In Hesperides, while feeding powdered jellyfish to the plants on Skyring, Echo comments that it's better than Monty's algae. Echo then sends up an apology to her lost friend for the comment.
Known Strains[]
- Toxic Strain - An early strain of algae created by Monty Green that is shown to be toxic, putting John Murphy into a coma for a week. Monty is later able to use this strain to repair the Second Dawn Bunker's hydrofarm while Bellamy used it to put Octavia into a coma. However, Eric Jackson was able to pull her out of it using dialysis.
- Edible Strain - A strain of algae created by Monty that Spacekru survived on for six years. While edible, it doesn't taste particularly good.
- Medicinal Strain - A strain similar to the toxic strain, but less potent. While it has similar effects, this strain acts more as an anesthetic than a coma-inducer.
Quotes[]
- Abby Griffin: "We should reconsider forcing an algae bloom to boost oxygen production."
- Thelonious Jaha: "You've read the studies. That would only contaminate the water supply."
- -- in Twilight's Last Gleaming
- (Monty showing the algae to the group while discussing how they will survive)
- Emori: "Algae?"
- Murphy: "Uhh, float me now."
- -- in Damocles (Part 2)