Water fleas filter toxic chemicals from water better than any other technology
Looking for the next unicorn startup? Consider investing in water fleas. These tiny crustaceans filter 90% of the diclofenac (a pharmaceutical), 60% of the arsenic (a heavy metal and carcinogen that causes cancer), 59% of the atrazine (a toxic pesticide), and 50% of the PFOS (a forever checmical that damages the human immune system).
There is currently no other water filtration technology with that capability so all those chemicals end up in rivers, lakes, the ocean, and in our drinking water, soil, food supply, and yes, our bodies. To top it off, our current water filtration systems are expensive, carry a heavy carbon footprint, and cause pollution.
Nature-based solutions are cheaper, more efficient, and more reliable than any technology humans develop. They also do no harm. They are more than worthy of our financial investments, attention, and support. Nature has the answers to our sustainability challenges. Fund the research. Nature is a terrible thing to waste.