Vinegar cleans up polluted groundwater

摘要

Vinegar fuels the growth of bacteria which can clean up polluted groundwater, scientists have found.rnA University of Leeds research team found adding dilute acetic acid - vinegar - to groundwater sites contaminated with harmful chromium compounds boosts the growth of naturally occurring bacteria by providing an attractive food source.rnThese then cleanse the affected area by changing the chemical make-up of the compounds to make them harmless.rnDr Doug Stewart, from the School of Civil Engineering, who led the research team with Dr Ian Burke, from the School of Earth and Environment, said: "From the results we have so far, I am certain we can develop a viable treatment for former industrial sites where chromate compounds are a problem.