Scientists Discover Bacteria That Eats Toxic Metals from Water

indiatimes.com

9 pointsblacksqr4 comments

Help me understand:

- water with hexavalent chromium in it is toxic

- these bacteria eat it

- ???

- now the water is non-toxic (or, at least, less toxic)

Why aren't you now drinking water with microbes that have hexavalent chromium in them? Did they bacteria break it down or convert it into different forms that are less toxic? Are the bacteria removed from the water before you drink it (and if so, what becomes of the toxins at that point)?

I feel like the bacteria might live in a filter 'bed' so they can be removed, with the toxins inside of them. I assumed it may break the compound down, but chromium is still toxic so there must be some extra step not really covered in this article.

It's very easy, even if not always practical, to separate bacteria from water with a centrifuge.

"Unlike water treatment, no skilled workforce is required to culture bacteria."

Uh ok? Doesn't make much sense to me.

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