Cleaning Uranium Waste with Bacteria 154
Roland Piquepaille writes "Nuclear bombs can kill people even if they're not used. In the U.S. alone, the Department of Energy estimates that more than 2,500 billion liters of groundwater are contaminated with uranium as a consequence of nuclear weapons production. In "Uranium 'pearls' before slime," scientists from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) say they discovered that some common bacteria could "convert deadly heavy metal into less threatening nano-spheres." In fact, these bacteria can convert soluble radioactive uranium into a non-toxic solid form called uraninite. Still, more research needs to be done before using these bacteria on a large scale, but it's a step in the good direction. Read more for additional references and photos showing how Shewanella oneidensis can help us to decontaminate groundwater at nuclear waste sites."
For the love of Christ people! (Score:4, Funny)
Recycling (Score:2, Funny)
This is a horrible idea (Score:5, Funny)
This is why I love slashdot (Score:4, Funny)
(looks closer) Oh. Its a roland piquapallawhatever submitted story.
(is eaten by a grue)
don't worry about those 'nano' particles either (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Recycling (Score:1, Funny)
What do you say to people that call you a Ninite? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:2500 billion? (Score:2, Funny)
I've had it with these bacteria! (Score:5, Funny)