Just as intriguing, Lower added, is evidence that Shewanella generate a small amount of electricity as they eat waste, giving them potential as biofuel cells. Plenty of challenges remain. For example, once Shewanella has had its way with a toxic metal, the metal goes from soluble in water to insoluble. That means the solid will stay on site and out of the water supply. But scientists don't yet know if the material will remain insoluble and stay put indefinitely. Efficiency is another important goal. "It's a matter of outsmarting the microbes so they do what you want them to do rather than what they want to do," said Kenneth Nealson, professor of Earth and Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California in L.A. His lab is working to do just that. Progress, he said, is encouraging. "I think in 10 or 15 years," he said, "Some of these systems will be at a level where we may very well be able to clean up major water bodies and things like that." Related Links: Nuclear Waste Clean-up Breakthrough |
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