Rainforest Fungus Naturally Synthesizes Diesel

Wired reports, "A fungus that lives inside trees in the Patagonian rain forest naturally makes a mix of hydrocarbons that bears a striking resemblance to diesel, biologists announced today. And the fungus can grow on cellulose, a major component of tree trunks, blades of grass and stalks that is the most abundant carbon-based plant material on Earth."

A fascinating find, especially given the implication that maybe crude oil wasn't formed in the way we thought it was. Is a new source of complex hydrocarbons for us to burn a good thing?

Wired article.

By Sam on November 5, 2008 1:58 PM | No Comments