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Toxic Montana Lake's Extremophiles Might Be a Medical Treasure Trove

Posted by timothy on from the toxic-waste-pit-is-half-full dept.

EagleHasLanded writes "The Berkeley Pit, an abandoned open pit copper mine in Butte, Montana — part of the largest Superfund site in the U.S. — is filled with 40 billion gallons of acidic, metal-contaminated water. For years the water was believed to be too toxic to support life, until Andrea and Donald Stierle, a pair of organic chemists at the University of Montana, discovered that the Pit is a rich source of unusual extremophiles, 'many of which have shown great promise as producers of potential anti-cancer agents and anti-inflammatories.' In the course of their ongoing investigation, the two self-described 'bioprospectors' have also discovered an uncommon yeast, which might play a significant role in cleaning up the site. In the meantime, the Pit has become a tourist attraction in Butte, which charges $2 for the opportunity to take in the view from the Viewing Stand."

5 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. Two dolla by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    One does not simply pay $2 to get into Mordor.

    1. Re:Two dolla by FooAtWFU · · Score: 4, Funny

      Superfund? More like superfun!

      (yes. i stole that line from spacechem.)

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  2. Berkeley Pit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Is that where the demon arose?

  3. New endangered species! by cvtan · · Score: 5, Funny

    You realize that new creatures inhabiting the the toxic lake must now be protected from anyone wishing to clean up the water. The toxic lifestyle must be preserved! My head is going to explode.

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  4. Aptoymn by barlevg · · Score: 3, Funny

    The scientists studying a toxic lake thought to be unable to support life have the last name... Stierle?