Aug 28 2003
A group of researchers at La Trobe University in Australia have isolated 13 rare species of bacteria capable of neutralising toxic arsenic-based wastes.
They have successfully isolated the bacteria from gold mines throughout Australia. The bacteria have the ability to consume arsenite and convert it to arsenate. Arsenate is both safe and easy to dispose of.
Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks. It only becomes a problem when exposed to air and water when it becomes soluble. In this event, it becomes toxic to plants, animals and of course humans. Processes such as mining and well boring may expose arsenic to air and water.
The potential use of the bacteria to convert the arsenic waste provides a much safer and environmentally friendly solution to more conventional chemical methods that are currently employed.
The researchers have also identified the enzyme responsible for the conversion and are now searching for other microbes with the same enzyme, as well as other proteins and genes involved with the consumption of arsenite.
For more information on arsenic, click here.