Ukrainian scientists use bacteria for bomb disposal

SEVASTOPOL/ MOSCOW, October 13 (RIA Novosti)

Ukrainian scientists have developed a unique explosives-disposal technology involving the use of bacteria, a researcher said on Thursday.

It takes between 15 and 115 days for bacteria to “convert” an explosive substance into an organic fertilizer, Gennady Baranov, a research associate with the Biochemical Laboratory at the Sevastopol Institute of Nuclear Power, said.

“It is an organic mixture that ‘consumes’ explosives and chemicals, producing an absolutely pure fertilizer,” he said.

“We can effectively destroy ammunition from the Great Patriotic War [World War II] out in the field by pouring our mix on an artillery shell, and it literally eats through an explosive, leaving the metal intact so it can be subsequently recycled.”

The technology has been patented but its composition is a secret, Baranov said.