Bacteria Doing Good on Earth and in Space!

ARS scientists in Florence, SC, aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty while researching ways to manage manure and protect water resources.  

Now, one solution could come from a group of manure-loving bacteria they “dug up” called anammox. In addition to helping to remove pollutants from wastewater and septic tanks, anammox bacteria could end up in space. NASA and a Hampton, VA, firm are exploring the bacteria’s use in a water-recycling system for astronauts that could mean savings of about $83,000 per gallon or $24 million in annual resupply costs! Learn more.

* Image courtesy of Getty Images