Bacteria Eat Alkaline Batteries BUENOS AIRES – Sulfur-eating bacteria may be the solution to the contamination caused by used alkaline batteries, say scientists at Argentina's National University of San Martín. Researchers developed an experimental reactor after isolating the bacteria Acidithiobacilus thiooxidans, which live in the hotsprings of Copahue, in the southern province of Neuquén, and which are already being used successfully in copper and gold mining.

The bacteria were placed in the reactor with the used batteries. The microorganisms eventually converted sulfur into sulfuric acid, which completely dissolved the batteries.

The metal residue can be recovered using electrolysis techniques.

Biotechnologist Gustavo Curutchet says the reactor functions well and could be used on a greater scale because of its low costs and minimal environmental impacts.