Kent Ferry D.

Fuentes BSN 1-3

REACTION PAPER

Electricity-generating and pollution-eating bacteria might sound like something straight out of a science fiction novel.
It is considered as one of the most fascinating discoveries in the world of microbiology. As I have read my chosen
news article, its content piqued my attention because it’s like a bizarre type of news item, somewhat compelling, and
is a hot off the fire subject. We all know that some bacteria can survive on a variety of energy sources, but none as
weird as this. I’m quite surprised because these bacteria can adapt to a wide range of extreme environments. Also,
unlike any other living thing on Earth, electric bacteria use energy in its purest form which is naked electricity in the
shape of electrons harvested from rocks and metals making them more interesting to study. According to my
research, there’s this certain bacteria that yields the same ability with this so-called electric bacteria. These
Geobacter metallireducens, also known as “microbial nanowires” were getting their electrons from organic
compounds, and passing them onto iron oxides. They do this through special hair-like wires that protrude from the
cell's surface. These tiny wires act in much in the same way that copper wire does when it conducts electricity. I am
amazed because we already have known bacteria that generate electricity and the discovery of these bacteria would
definitely light up the future of science since they’re so efficient that there are possible practical applications for power
systems. Hopefully, scientists could maximize these electric bacteria so that they can be used to operate small
electronic devices or even produce electricity 24 hours a day. On the other hand, there’s this bacterium called
Desulfitobacterium hafniense which are already known for their ability to breakdown and detoxify some of the most
problematic environmental pollutants, including PCBs and some chemical solvents. In my opinion, this is also an
impressive capability since this bacterium shares the same characteristic with these newly-discovered bacteria
because they have the potential to steal electrons from toxic waste, oil spills and nuclear waste, cleaning up our
waste and generating electricity in the process. Similar bacteria have been cultivated before, like those mentioned
above, but not taken in situ from this kind of extreme environment – in this case an alkaline hot spring pool of water.
Fortunately, scientists were able to discover a two-for-one deal in bacteria that will eat toxic chemicals 24/7 and make
electricity to boot. Cool, right? Because it appears that we can all benefit from this microscopic grid. Moreover, since
this electric bacterium is resilient and is capable of using an unconventional source for their food and energy:
electricity, perhaps they will aid scientists looking for new ways to combat environmental pollution and provide
sustainable energy for humanity in the future.

The generation of electricity and forms of environmental pollution are those things that we tend not to think about
during our daily routines. When we do, thoughts on bacteria usually do not enter our minds. Bacteria make you sick,
they are important in the processing of food, but making electricity and converting toxic pollutants? Surely that is not
part of the story. But it is. Could the key to solving both our energy and pollution crises truly lie in these
microorganisms? Time will tell.

News Article Source: Gabbatiss, J. (2019). Bacteria that ‘Eat Pollution’ and Emit Electricity Captured in
Hot Springs for First Time. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/
science/bacteria-electricity-pollution-hot-springs-yellowstone-national-park-
a8812016.html. February 3, 2020.