Recent research had found that some species of fungi are able to transform the molecular structure of lead to its most stable form, which could have big implications for how lead-polluted sites are treated in the future. Specifically, the lead-containing mineral that forms is called pyromorphite, which can sequester lead contaminants in soil. Researches found this to be quite unexpected due to the fact that lead is usually regarded as a pretty stable substance. However, in the this study, lead in the presence of fungi began to show evidence of pyromorphite formation after a month, with mineral formation increasing in abundance with time. This is truly an amazing of nature. I find the ability of fungi to treat toxic lead in this manner to be truly amazing and am delighted that it has finally been discovered.
This is very interesting! I wonder if this discovery was accidental or if research on this subject has been going on for some time now. I am reminded of one of Rachel Carson's points in Silent Spring that the natural world possesses seemingly magical ways of evolving and adapting. Nature is certainly amazing! It always seems to have a way of cleaning up and correcting human mistakes.
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