Bacteria that eats metal accidentally discovered by scientists

CNN ^ | 07/16/2020 | By Amy Woodyatt

[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.

[Verginius Rufus]

That's what I was wondering.

How can they tell when the bacteria eats metal accidentally and when it eats metal on purpose?

[grey_whiskers]

Nobody tell the Horta?

[Savage Beast]

This is interesting. It’s from CNN. I wonder if there’s any truth to it.

[mass55th]

"I thought Bacteria was eating the Titanic"

Thanks. I was going to ask the same question.

[SunkenCiv]

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.

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[ought-six]

Hell, I’ve got that in my refrigerator. I think it had to do with an old bean casserole.

[dirtymac]

I love science and discovery but this came from CNN so it must be false and is only a set up for defaming President Trump, Or am I getting too suspicious.

[LegendHasIt]

This may be a newly discovered bacteria, but it isn’t a new process.

Some of the gold mines and copper mines have been working with metal digesting bacteria in their leach piles for decades.

[TangoLimaSierra]

...scientists note that these are the first bacteria to use manganese as an energy source

For cripes' sake, don't give 'em any Uranium.

[NonValueAdded]

Maybe the source of beryllium spheres, too.

Love, Zeb