Drilling for oil can be a complicated procedure. First, you have to find oil and then you have to drill to get it out of the ground. Before, during, or after drilling for oil, oil spills may occur. Oil spills can have massive affects on the surrounding environment as well as decreasing the profit for companies. In order to help save the environment and make more money, a company called Biota Guard is utilizing the blue mussel. The blue mussel, Mytilus edulis is being used to help alert oil companies to oil spills. The mussel has been observed to react differently to different pollutants such as oil spills. The reaction of the blue mussel along with other mechanical sensing equipment can be used to help identify and stop oil leaks as soon as possible. After learning about M. edulis in class I thought this was an interesting article to read and was excited to see it being used by humans to help protect the environment. The article can be found at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100423210008.htm
This is a very interesting summary. It's very cool that animals can be used in such a manner.
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