Hovercraft helps scientists monitor water quality

The services of a useful hovercraft have been enlisted by the Environment Agency (EA) in England, which is attempting to monitor the water quality of the country's southern coastline, it has emerged.

So far, the vessel, which has a top speed of 30 mph, has been used to collect mud samples containing tiny life forms off the coast of north Devon and Dorset in Cornwall.

The measures have been taken to help EA scientists reach otherwise inaccessible areas and keep tabs on changes in water quality, pollution levels and the environment.

Spokeswoman for the EA Amy Beard stated that the hovercraft is so useful as "there isn't a lot of time to collect samples because they have to be taken at low tide".

Last week, scientists at Ohio State University revealed that the age-old shewanella oneidensis microbe could help to absorb radioactive metals before they enter waterways in the future, the Columbus Dispatch informs.