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Beer and Bacteria to be used in Toxin Cleanup
GospelHead821 writes "According to this article in Popular Science, a chemistry student at the University of Tulsa is driving research into use of toxin-munching "sulfate-reducing bacteria" (SRBs) to help cleanup toxic, solid effluent from abandoned zinc and lead mines near her home. Where does the beer come in? Apparently, it has proved an excellent food source for the bacteria and helps to extend the lifespan of the normally short-lived SRBs by several months. Currently, the procedure is in the testing phase, with models being employed to simulate the conditions that would be present in a large-scale detoxification plant, which in turn, is based on the natural wetlands from which these bacteria hail."
Are you telling me these bacteria are getting free beer?
Goddamnit that's just not right.
Sounds like the Spirit cooled computers from a few years back!
:)
Alcohol sure does work wonders
Somebody finally found a fitting use for Budweiser, Coors, Miller, et al!
And it runs on beer? You'll also have to build a second detox facility for the workers...
You cannot apply a technological solution to a sociological problem. (Edwards' Law)
will this technology be free as in speech, or free as in beer?
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. -- A.E.
Dr. Kolynsqwerky: What is this bottle of beer doing here?
Student: It's... hmmm... an excellent food source for the bacteria and helps to extend the lifespan of the normally short-lived SRBs by several months, Dr.!
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You know, this gives a whole new meaning to "microbrew".
When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a skull.
. Funding. Nice. First Pot helps with glaucoma, then beer is good for the environment. What's next, qualudes to beef up your firewall?
You are not the customer.
Beer from cans? Urgh!
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Get em drunk and set them loose. Poor little things. They are going to have a hell of a hangover when they are finished with all that dirty work.
DMCA, Hollings, Palladium. What might have sounded like paranoia is now common sense.
Intoxicated bacteria help remove toxins!
Free unix account: freeshell.org
I hear some posters expressing concern that bacteria is getting all this free beer. As far as I'm concerned - better the bacteria than me. Let me explain...
Look at it this way - it's not all bad. I'm sure they'll be using cheap American domestic beer (yuck! yellow water!).
At least they won't be using imported Canadian, Mexican, or (mmm!) German, etc beers. Now THAT would be tragic!
You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. The impossible just takes a little longer.
leetle tiny dead homiez.
Do a google search before posting.
Finally, someone has found a use for American beer :-)