#gowanus canal

[mindblowingscience]

Extreme microbial adaptations arise in one of America's most polluted waterways

The industrially ravaged Gowanus Canal, long regarded as a symbol of urban environmental neglect, is being reimagined through the lens of sc

The industrially ravaged Gowanus Canal, long regarded as a symbol of urban environmental neglect, is being reimagined through the lens of scientific inquiry as a complex reservoir of microbial life shaped by intense selective pressures. Research led by NYU Tandon School of Engineering has discovered microbes in Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal that carry genes for breaking down industrial pollutants and neutralizing heavy metals. Genetic screening also uncovered resistance to multiple antibiotic classes and thousands of biosynthetic gene clusters with implications for developing new antibiotics, industrial enzymes, and bioactive compounds.

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[a-depressed-mouse]

What's the most interesting thing you've come across as an environmental geologist?

i’m pretty new to the profession, and i mostly work in groundwater monitoring and remediation, basically looking for and cleaning up industrial contamination from groundwater. i’ve been to some sites where we’ve measured feet upon feet of DNAPL (chemical pollutants denser than water such as TCE, PCE, and coal tar).

most of the coal tar contamination i’ve seen has been around the Gowanus Canal. The Gowanus Canal waterway itself is a Federal Superfund Site, and the surrounding blocks are state Brownfield Sites.

the canal has long been contaminated by industrial dumping as well as combined sewage overflow - the latter of which is the source of gonorrhea bacteria in the canal.

which i find mildly interesting but also kinda funny because my stupid rotten brain keeps playing this scenario in my head every time i think about it:

Partner 1: how could you do this to me!!!

Partner 2: i promise, it’s not what you think!

Partner 1: you cheated on me!!! YOU GAVE ME GONORRHEA YOU STUPID WINDMILL COOKIE!!!!

Partner 2: babe, i swear i didn’t cheat on you, i just went swimming in the gowanus canal!

Partner 1: YOU WENT SWIMMING IN SOMEONE’S CANAL ALRIGHT!!!!!

but work’s not always safe, bullet ricocheted near me. @narwhalsarefalling (sorry for the tag if unwanted) also works in the environmental field and i’m pretty sure they found a dead body (don’t quote me on that)

anyone else in the environmental business with interesting/weird facts/stories please chime in

[wanderingnewyork]

Gowanus Canal, #Brooklyn

[silverfactory]

the toxic sludge in the gowanus canal is really sparkling today

[donnerpartyofone]

Venture Bros. Doom Factory

vs my pic of my actual neighborhood tonight

[paulftompkins]

BROOKLYN! The 7:30pm Varietopias at The Bell House have sold out! Get your tickets to the 10pm shows before the same thing happens to them!

HEED THIS DIRE WARNING

SAT 10/14/23 10pm TICKETS

SUN 10/15/23 10pm TICKETS

[molybdic]

the majestic Gowanus Canal

[dispelzine]

Canal

Issue 10 of Cover.

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