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Scientists discover new water purification microbes

Water Purification - Level 4

Scientists have discovered a new species of microbes in an area below and above the Earth's surface called the Critical Zone. This is essential for life. The microbes have been called CSP1-3. They could be key in the process of water purification. A researcher said that while soil is responsible for the filtration of rainwater, CSP1-3 may also be important. He said CSP1-3 were scavengers that clean up "what got through the surface layer of soil".

The researchers looked at microbes living up to 200 metres beneath us. These microbes remove harmful things from our water supply. Researchers want to grow CSP1-3 to find out more about them. A researcher said wants to know how the microbes break down "tough pollutants". He said: "If we could learn that, we can help solve one of the Earth's most pressing problems." A science website said this "could boost conservation efforts".

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Water Purification - Level 5

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown species of microbes. Researchers in the USA found them an area below and above the Earth's surface called the Critical Zone. This is essential for sustaining life. The microbes have been called CSP1-3. They could be a key part of the process of water purification. Dr James Tiedje said that while soil is responsible for much of the filtration of rainwater, CSP1-3 may also be indispensable. He said: "CSP1-3 are the scavengers cleaning up what got through the surface layer of soil." They have a job to do to purify our drinking water.

The researchers looked at microbes living in the deep soil, up to 200 metres beneath our feet. They said the microbes remove harmful contaminants from the water supply. Dr Tiedje wants to cultivate CSP1-3 in his lab to find out more about them. He believes they could clean up pollution in the soil. He said: "We don't know their capacities for metabolizing tough pollutants and, if we could learn that, we can help solve one of the Earth's most pressing problems." The scitechdaily.com website said: "Understanding this newly found group could boost conservation efforts."

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Water Purification - Level 6

Scientists have unearthed a previously unknown species of microbes in the earth beneath us. Researchers at Michigan State University have been exploring an area just below and above the Earth's surface called the Critical Zone. This zone is essential to providing the conditions that sustain life. The researchers called the microbes CSP1-3. The microorganisms could be a key part of the process of purifying our water. Microbiologist James Tiedje said that while layers of soil are responsible for much of the filtration of rainwater, CSP1-3 are also indispensable. He said: "CSP1-3 are the scavengers cleaning up what got through the surface layer of soil." They have a job to do to purify our drinking water.

Dr Tiedje and his team focused on the microbes living in the deep soil, up to 200 metres beneath our feet. He said the CSP1-3 microbes remove harmful contaminants and detritus from the water supply. He now wants to cultivate CSP1-3 in his lab to find out more about their properties. He believes they could be utilized to clean up pollution in the soil. He said: "We don't know their capacities for metabolizing tough pollutants and, if we could learn that, we can help solve one of the Earth's most pressing problems." The scitechdaily.com website said: "Understanding this newly found group could boost conservation efforts and help address climate change."

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