Team wins Stockholm Junior Water Prize for oil-consuming bacteria research

Chilean team members Omayra Toro and Naomi Estay receive the 2013 Stokholm Junior Water Prize. (Credit: Cecilia Östberg, Exray.)

A pair of Chilean teenagers won the 2013 Stockholm Junior Water Prize challenge for their research on oil consuming bacteria that can survive in low temperatures, according to the Water Environment Federation.

The team consisted of Omayra Toro and Naomi Estay. They traveled to Antarctica to sample bacterial species and identified a dozen strains of bacteria that have the potential to consume oil in frigid waters.

A team from Israel, consisting of Yeari Vigder and Arye Nassi, came in second with their smart phone application for farmers, which helps conserve water based on current field conditions.

Anirudh Jain represented the U.S. with his project on reducing silver nanoparticle pollution with sulfidation.  He will present at WEFTEC 2013 on Oct. 5 to 9.

Image: Chilean team members Omayra Toro and Naomi Estay receive the 2013 Stokholm Junior Water Prize. (Credit: Cecilia Östberg, Exray)