Biofuel: an alternative energy sourceAbstractAs the world's source of fossil fuels declines, another energy source must replace fossil fuels. This article evaluates biofuel, an alternative form of energy, showing what biofuel is, how it works, its historical use, and the advantages and disadvantages associated with it. I hypothesized that biofuel would be an effective alternative energy. My conclusion does not support my statement, but in terms of worldwide usage. Introduction: As the world's fossil fuel sources deplete, we must find an alternative energy source. Biofuel is a considerable option. Although biofuel has not been used widely, it has been used quite widely in several countries. Such countries include Sri Lanka, China, India and countries/regions in Africa that have large quantities of wood. The biofuel appeared quite effective in developing areas, and other countries began using it. Background Biofuel is energy harvested from biomass through incineration or combustion of the material. Such biomass materials can include wood, paper, coal, crop residues and agricultural waste. Biofuel is renewable, because such biomass materials can be produced to create biofuel. Many rural areas use biofuels as their main energy source, because biomass tends to be abundant in such areas. Sub-Saharan areas rely heavily on wood. The combustion of biomass releases sources of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, biofuels3 and hydrocarbons. There are many types of biofuel; some common ones include methanol and ethanol, biodiesel and biogas. Burning manure produces a type of biofuel known as biogas, which is made up of 65% methane. Biogas can be harvested from manure through a process...... middle of paper......gy/1183636805.22/?searchterm=biofuel3. (2003). A history of biodiesel/biofuels. Retrieved July 28, 2007, from Yokako Biofuels website: http://www.ybiofuels.org/bio_fuels/history_biofuels.html4. Giampietro, M., Ulgiati, S., & Pimentel, D. Feasibility of large-scale biofuel production. JStor, retrieved July 25, 2007, from http://www.jstor.org/view/00063568/ap040415/04a00080/13?citationAction=save&charset=u&frame=noframe5. West, Larry The Pros and Cons of Biofuels. Retrieved July 30, 2007, from About.com: Environmental Issues website: http://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/a/biofuels.htm6. Yevich, R., & Logan, J. A. (June 30, 2002). An evaluation of biofuel use and agricultural waste combustion in developing countries. Global Biogeochemical Cycles>, retrieved July 19, 2007, from http://www.whrc.org/policy/COP/India/Yevich%20and%20Logan.%202003.pdf.