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A researcher has found a way to put bioluminescence to work to fight pollution. She mixes estuarine sediment samples with a bioluminescent bacteria called Vibrio fischeri. Using a photometer to measure the light given off by the bacteria, she can quickly determine the concentration of toxic chemicals in the sediment by seeing how much and how quickly the light dims as the chemicals kill the bacteria. Measuring the level of pollutants in the sediment provides a better indication of the estuary's health than measuring the level of chemicals in the water. [Source: New York Times]
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