Bacteria Evolved to Survive and Eat Industrial Pollution in Pittsburgh

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are studying the microbial communities in a former steel site in Pittsburgh, where bacteria have adapted to survive and even consume industrial pollutants. The site, known as Hazelwood Green, was contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other pollutants. Despite the pollution, the soil remains a living ecosystem, home to billions of microorganisms. The researchers are collecting soil samples and using metagenomic sequencing to identify the microorganisms present and their abilities. They are also testing the bacteria's ability to degrade pollutants such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. The goal is to understand how the microorganisms adapted to the pollution and to develop new methods for cleaning up contaminated soil. The researchers have partnered with CMU's AI Science Foundry to screen thousands of individual species of bacteria and measure their ability to degrade pollutants. This approach could lead to more efficient and effective methods for cleaning up contaminated soil.