Posted on 07/16/2020 10:53:31 AM PDT by BenLurkin
California Institute of Technology (or Caltech) accidentally discovered the bacteria after performing unrelated experiments using a chalk-like type of manganese, a commonly found chemical element.
Dr. Jared Leadbetter, professor of environmental microbiology at Caltech in Pasadena, left a glass jar covered with the substance to soak in tap water in his office sink, and left the vessel for several months when he went to work off campus. When he returned, Leadbetter found the jar coated with a dark material.
Researchers discovered that the black coating found on the jar was oxidized manganese which had been generated by newly discovered bacteria most likely found in the tap water.
In new research published in Nature journal on Tuesday, scientists note that these are the first bacteria to use manganese as an energy source.
The new research also reveals that the bacteria can use manganese for a process called chemosynthesis, which converts carbon dioxide into biomass.
Researchers had speculated that unidentified microbes could harness the process to spur growth, but only knew of bacteria and fungi that could do so.
Scientists believe the findings will help them better understand groundwater, and water systems which can become clogged by manganese oxides.
Researchers also believe that the discovery could help us to understand manganese nodules -- large metallic balls which can reach the size of a grapefruit and are often found on the sea floor. The balls, which often contain rare metals, are sometimes harvested from the ocean floor, but little is understood about them.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Bacteria like manganese with a touch of phosphorus and sulfur
I thought Bacteria was eating the Titanic
The Chevrolet Vega rusting while still in the showroom phenomenon explained!
Rust.
They discovered Rust again?
RUST?
Coca Cola loves pennies.
Thanks...one more think to worry about!
Cue the women complaining about the men not doing the dishes.
I ate his manganese with some fava beans and a nice bottle of Chianti.
Rust?
I thought Bacteria was eating the Titanic
Not sure about the Titanic, but a building I worked in had iron reducing bacteria inside the pipes.
Eating away 24/7.
It was a mess.
But not to worry, it was a government agency.
It eats metal accidentally?
Well it’s back to the Stone Age after the Chicomms weaponize it.
It’s a good bac. Aspiring rapper and just starting to turn its life around.
Manganese nodules...Glomar Explorer
Cousins of rust........
this slob of a scientist will probably get a Nobel Prize for his “discovery”...
this is why I don’t do the dishes
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