Bacteria "breathe" toxic metal
Posted: 25 Mar 2009, 19:36
Researchers are studying some common soil bacteria that "inhale" toxic metals and "exhale" them in a non-toxic form.
The bacteria might one day be used to clean up toxic chemicals left over from nuclear weapons production decades ago.
The process is called respiration and it's how living organisms make energy. We use the oxygen we breathe to release energy from our food. But in nature, bacteria don't always have access to oxygen. (Underwater bacteries etc.)
I'm wondering if this inspires anyone to use nuke more often. At the same time these bacteries seem to be very very useful to keep our planet clean.
Read full article here
The bacteria might one day be used to clean up toxic chemicals left over from nuclear weapons production decades ago.
The process is called respiration and it's how living organisms make energy. We use the oxygen we breathe to release energy from our food. But in nature, bacteria don't always have access to oxygen. (Underwater bacteries etc.)
I'm wondering if this inspires anyone to use nuke more often. At the same time these bacteries seem to be very very useful to keep our planet clean.
Read full article here
