These granules contain three essential plant nutrients.

As a result, we had to streak and restreak several times.

And then so you... these things, you mixed some stuff in with 'em, right?

This graph shows that our bacteria really do have a genetic pathway to biodegrade phthalates.

Very important because by encouraging the birds, the habitat for birds, we're encouraging phosphate cycling through the system.

They can be absorbed by skin contact, ingested, and inhaled.

So this was, you know, unexpected from the world's (Laughter)

This means that our bacteria were actually living off of phthalates.

I won't go into a deoxyribose.

As a result, they easily escape into our environment.

Estelle...

Estelle?

So we figured, if there are places along our Fraser River that are contaminated with phthalates, and if there are bacteria that are able to live in these areas, then perhaps, perhaps these bacteria could have evolved to break down phthalates.

So we're thinking that the fertilizer with it has phosphate ions,

But for now,

Golly, Ester!

When it was brought back down to earth, it proved to be more virulent than the original strain.

Lin?

Lynn?

The first step in our project was to collect soil samples from three different sites along the Fraser River.

Diana Hyland.

Phosphorus.

This implied that, if anything grew in our cultures, then they must be able to live off of phthalates.

So again, phosphates is another of the sort of crucial plant nutrients, every plant needs them.

I know some of you in the crowd are thinking, well, carbon dioxide is horrible, it's a greenhouse gas.

Not only do phthalates pollute our environment, but they also pollute our bodies.

Good night, Ester.

Man This the first time someone has actually climbed with it.

Tammy Lynn Baxter.

Lin...?

Sen!

We're leaving!

Lynnie's sleeping?

Phosphorus .19.

And then you have your phosphate group.

So the birds that eat insects and seeds, they're accumulating phosphates and the excess comes out in their dung.

I am Lin.

Lynn

Lynn, come on!

We thought that maybe if it's the same gene, you know, the phosphate will help curb the growth in the virulence of the B. subtilis that we have.

Lynn Haven

(Applause)

Lin

Phosphine gas.

We aimed to find bacteria from our local Fraser River that can degrade a harmful plasticizer called phthalates.