This Golden Arsenic Deep-Sea Worm Fights Poison With Poison
This Golden Arsenic Deep-Sea Worm Fights Poison With Poison
To blunt the toxic arsenic in the waters where it lives, a deep-sea worm combines it with another chemical to produce a less toxic compound.
Read the full article on NY Times Science
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article makes a specific claim about a deep-sea worm detoxifying arsenic. While the general toxicity of arsenic is well-documented, the specific claim about the worm and its detoxification method is not directly verifiable from the provided sources. Therefore, the factual accuracy is mixed, and the bias is minimal as it presents a scientific finding without apparent slant.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: A deep-sea worm combines arsenic with another chemical to produce a less toxic compound.
- Verification Source #2: Discusses toxic metals as pollutants in the ocean, including arsenic, but does not mention specific detoxification mechanisms in deep-sea worms.
- Verification Source #3: Provides general information about arsenic but does not mention specific detoxification mechanisms in deep-sea worms.
- Verification Source #4: Mentions chronic arsenic poisoning and its effects on marine life, but does not mention specific detoxification mechanisms in deep-sea worms.
- Assessment: Unverified. The sources discuss arsenic toxicity and its presence in the ocean, but none confirm the specific claim about the deep-sea worm's detoxification method.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 2: 'Releases of toxic metals to the environment began millennia ago with…' This indicates the presence of arsenic in the ocean environment.
- Source 4: '...sea succumb to the lingering poison.' This highlights the toxic effect of arsenic on marine life.