Toxic Montana Lake's Extremophiles Might Be a Medical Treasure Trove 133
EagleHasLanded writes "The Berkeley Pit, an abandoned open pit copper mine in Butte, Montana — part of the largest Superfund site in the U.S. — is filled with 40 billion gallons of acidic, metal-contaminated water. For years the water was believed to be too toxic to support life, until Andrea and Donald Stierle, a pair of organic chemists at the University of Montana, discovered that the Pit is a rich source of unusual extremophiles, 'many of which have shown great promise as producers of potential anti-cancer agents and anti-inflammatories.' In the course of their ongoing investigation, the two self-described 'bioprospectors' have also discovered an uncommon yeast, which might play a significant role in cleaning up the site. In the meantime, the Pit has become a tourist attraction in Butte, which charges $2 for the opportunity to take in the view from the Viewing Stand."
Two dolla (Score:5, Funny)
One does not simply pay $2 to get into Mordor.
Berkeley Pit? (Score:0, Funny)
Is that where the demon arose?
New endangered species! (Score:5, Funny)
Aptoymn (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Two dolla (Score:5, Funny)
Superfund? More like superfun!
(yes. i stole that line from spacechem [spacechemthegame.com].)