Scientists have determined that areas of the Lake Calumet region of southeast Chicago contain microbial communities where the water can reach extraordinary alkalinity of pH 12.8 — far beyond known naturally occurring alkaline environments. The closest known relatives of some of the microbes are in South Africa, Greenland and the alkaline waters of Mono Lake, California. Among the possible harmful things microbes could do is collect and distribute hazardous materials to nearby lakes and wetlands. Yummy!