Of the bacterial isolates found in the Arctic that are able to degrade PCBs, none used compounds such as 2-chlorobiphenyl, 3-chlorobiphenyl, camphor, citronellol, cymene, dehydroabietic acid, limonene, methanol, n-hexadecane, pentachlorophenol, phenol, or pinene as primary growth substrates (Master and Mohn 1998).
In the 20th century, demand for electricity led to the consideration of geothermal power as a generating source. Prince Piero Ginori Conti tested the first geothermal power generator on 4 July 1904, at the same Larderello dry steam field where geothermal acid extraction began. It successfully lit four light bulbs. Later, in 1911, the world's first commercial geothermal power plant was built there.
The voltaic pile, invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800, was the first device to provide a steady supply of electricity. Voltaâs ongoing disagreement with Luigi Galvani served as the impetus for its construction.he voltaic pile, invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800, was the first device to provide a steady supply of electricity. Voltaâs ongoing disagreement with Luigi Galvani served as the impetus for its construction.