The Santander Science and Innovation Prize was awarded this month in Brazil to a biological method for cleaning up areas contaminated by metals, developed by the University of São Paulo. The technique is based on a genetically modified bacteria to coagulate metal particles like lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, manganese and cobalt. According to research author Ronaldo Biondo, “in 24 hours of contact with the environment, the bacteria is able to bond the maximum of metal found there.”

After the process, the material is burned: the bacteria die, leaving the metal, which can be recycled.

Now the technique will be tested in the effluents of a large mining company. “It can be used on any type of run-off that contains metals, like those from mining, galvanizing metals and textile industries,” the researcher told Tierramérica.