Sci/Tech Oil-eating microbe found in the Gulf of Mexico

[tom_mai78101]

A group of researchers led by Terry Hazen, a senior ecologist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, have discovered a new species of microorganism. Hazen's team started research in May this year.

Their findings were based on more than 200 samples collected from 17 deep-water sites in the Gulf of Mexico between May 25 and June 2. The new species is distinctive for its oil-consuming activity in a wide range of conditions, and is playing a role in depletion of oil spills in the area.

Scientists had been puzzled by the disappearance of oil in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Detailed maps were made on how the spilled oil went underwater and how far it was spread; however, some of it seemed to have disappeared.

Scientists Find Oil-Eating Bacteria Plentiful in Deep Gulf Waters

Oil-eating bacteria exist in significant quantities even in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and may be breaking down submerged oil from the Deepwater Horizon leak faster than previously believed, scientists are reporting today.

archive.nytimes.com

More other sources at WikiNews.

 

[13lade619]

Anyone else thinking evolution?

And they've been trying for years to bio-engineer oil eating bacteria..

 

[tom_mai78101]

Maybe it's just pure coincidence that scientists haven't found out there really is an oil-eating bacteria out there, until now.

 

[Lyerae]

In any case, it's still pretty awesome.

 

[FireCat]

Well, if it's true,. The new bacteria do a good job :thup:

 

[perkeyone]

seems similar to how bacteria evolved after being exposed to waste water from a nylon factory.

 

[sqrage]

Let's reverse engineer it and then we can make oil.

 

[13lade619]

Let's reverse engineer it and then we can make oil.

And further pollute the environment .

 

[Ninja_sheep]

We can actually already create oil. From coal.

 

[13lade619]

but coal is also fossil fuel.

 

[Igor_Z]

Yes but the reserves of coal aren't indefinite... If we can make the process run in vice versa we could use a big amount of oil at our disposal at any time, which will further pollute our environment but it will be much cheaper in my opinion. Sure hope their lust for money doesn't get in the way of their humanity ...
Don't know if I said it right but I think you know what I mean.

 

[Ninja_sheep]

Yeah, it usually isn't worth it.
Only reason to do it if you need fuel but only have coal.

 

[tom_mai78101]

You guys are making me dizzy!! @_@

 

[Lobster]

Another possible out come, is the bacteria becoming widespread, and reducing the amount of oil in the world. I doubt it will happen, but if it does, it will be bad for our oil supplies unless we, like you guys said, reverse engineer it.

 

[seph ir oth]

Oil om nom nom nom nom nom nom