SPOKANE, Wash. – Sometimes when you are faced with a problem, a solution sprouts up right in front of you.
In the past, mushrooms have been used in incidents like oil spills. Mushroom roots easily absorb liquids nearby, including dangerous chemicals.
Heidi Montez had an idea: use mushrooms to absorb the pollutants in soil, including areas by the Spokane River.
“I just feel so lucky to have the opportunity to look at this,” said Montez.
Montez and other scientists are now doing experiments to see how well mushrooms will absorb the chemicals seeping into the Spokane River. A city grant is paying for her research.
If all goes well, Spokane leaders may finally have a solution that could keep the river clean and green.
That would mean healthier times for river-goers like Andrew Moss.
“My kids eat this food, so I need to watch out what I feed my children,” said Moss.
By using mushrooms to help clean up chemicals, it means the City of Spokane could save tax-payer dollars.
“The mushrooms are doing the work for us. It’s potentially a very affordable technology,” said Montez.
It will not be until spring that scientists know for sure if the mushrooms are doing their jobs.