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Scientists are researching how microbes clean contaminated water to help clean the earths' water resources. Potable water is at a premium before we pollute it, and afterward it's a truly scarce resource. Using microbes to clean it from animal waste, industrial pollutants, and mining refuse will go a long way to alleviating the world-wide water shortage.
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Microorganisms, which are also referred to as microbes, are not usually visible to the naked eye and include bacteria (Archaea and Eubacteria), viruses, fungi, protists, and algae. Most people associate microbes with bacteria and viruses which act as germs that get us sick, but actually microbes are an important part of life. In nature, microbes have a very specific purpose and understanding how microbes clean contaminated water is vital to ensuring that we have plenty of clean, healthy drinking water.