Mozart vs. microbes

June 14, 2010
A waste-treatment facility in Treuenbrietzen, southwest of Berlin, Germany, unveiled its plan to speed up the sewage process by playing Mozart to their microbes, reports Orange News. Officials believe the music helps stimulate activity among tiny organisms that break down waste, and hope that Mozart's melodies will drive down energy costs. They are playing The Magic Flute and The Marriage of Figaro around-the-clock, via speakers designed to replicate concert hall acoustics.
A waste-treatment facility in Treuenbrietzen, southwest of Berlin, Germany, unveiled its plan to speed up the sewage process by playing Mozart to their microbes, reports Orange News. Officials believe the music helps stimulate activity among tiny organisms that break down waste, and hope that Mozart's melodies will drive down energy costs. They are playing The Magic Flute and The Marriage of Figaro around-the-clock, via speakers designed to replicate concert hall acoustics. According to the plant manager Detlef Dalichow, they can save $1,200 a month on sludge disposal using this idea.

Developed by scientists at Mundus, who say microbes are particularly partial to harmonies and rhythms, the idea is that when combined with large quantities of oxygen, the sonic patterns stimulate activity and help break down sludge.

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