Tuesday, May 16, 2017
11:30 - 12:30; 60 min. -
Environmental Sciences:
Microbes and toxic waste -
Zach listened to a radio-lab presentation about microbes. The program was about an area in Wyoming that was mined for a variety of elements. When the mine was active, water was pumped out of the area, but when the mine closed down, the water was allowed to fill the mine, creating a large lake. Unfortunately the mine left the lake completely toxic. Several hundred migrating geese died after landing on the lake during a storm. After years of research, it was discovered that microbes somehow live in the toxic soup. These single cell beings have been important in finding cures for some serious illnesses and other beneficial discoveries. Among the microbes, one has the remarkable ability to absorb toxins and ‘clean’ the water. This microbe is only found in one place, inside the digestive tract of geese. The show also examined experiments where there is a connection between bacteria found in yogurt and a more positive brain chemistry.