Microalgal-facilitated bacterial oxidation of manganese

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Abstract
In the presence of unicellular microalgae, bacterial manganese oxidation was increased by up to ten times the rate produced by bacterial oxidation alone. Azide-poisoned controls demonstrated that the manganese-oxidizing bacteria were active in the algal-bacterial oxidation of manganese. Scanning electron microscopy showed that oxide formation occurred in a number of structurally different deposits on the surface of the alga. Studies involving algal cell fractionation showed that bacterial manganese oxidation was facilitated by the algal cell wall, possibly via Mn2+ adsorption. Variations in growth conditions had an effect on algal-bacterial oxide formation and composition. High nutrient (yeast extract, peptone and/or sucrose) levels favored microbial growth but lowered oxide formation, whereas optimal levels of manganese oxide formation required minimal media. High concentrations of either organic nutrients or mineral salts promoted manganese carbonate precipitation.