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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 1: Toxic Waste-Eating Bacteria

A newly-discovered bacterium that loves to feast on toxic waste may be the newest, and most unlikely, hero in the fight against pollution.

The bacteria were discovered at a landfill site in Libby, Montana, in an area that had been used for applying chemical preservatives to wood. These chemicals can cause cancer. There was worry that the soil had been contaminated. But when the soil was analyzed, it was found that it was almost totally free of the toxic chemicals. After further investigation, scientists found that the unique bacteria in the soil had destroyed the chemicals.

Plans are underway to use the bacteria in Russia, Poland and the Netherlands to clean up industrial waste sites, polluted farm land, and contaminated waterways.

Man-made chemicals are often used to clean up contaminated sites like this. This is both costly and time-consuming. The bacteria are a natural, inexpensive means of cleaning up toxic wastes.

Researchers will next try to determine the genetic sequencing of the bacteria to find out how they can survive in the soil as well as break down toxic chemicals. This may eventually lead to new “super-pollution-fighter” technologies that incorporate both man-made engineering and the skills of nature’s own toxic cleanser.

--Written by Kristine Thornley

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2: World's Biggest Tree