Impact of Mn(II)-Manganese Oxide Reactions on Ni and Zn Speciation

Enrichment Mechanisms of Cadmium in Natural Manganese-Rich Nodules from Karst Soils

Natural manganese (Mn)-rich nodules effectively sequester cadmium (Cd) in soils and influence on the geochemical cycling of soil Cd, yet microscale understanding of their enrichment mechanisms remains limited. From a regional survey of 1448 rhizosphere soil-rice sample pairs in karst areas of Guangxi, China, we identified and characterized Mn-rich nodules from representative sites to investigate their role in Cd sequestration. Using chemical extractions combined with laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), we revealed that Mn oxides serve as primary Cd carriers in Mn-rich nodules, accounting for approximately 63.6% of total Cd, dominating Cd enrichment through binding mechanisms of Cd-O and Cd-OH bonds characteristic of inner-sphere surface complexation and structural incorporation. The stability of these chemical interactions was confirmed by pH-dependent experiments, showing <5.0% of total Cd release even at pH = 3.0. The high Mn(III) mass ratios (36.0%-40.0%) in nodules facilitated stable inner-sphere complexation, resulting in increased Cd retention. These study findings reveal the exceptional Cd sequestration capacity of natural Mn-rich nodules, and provide insights for the high concentrations and low availabilities of soil Cd in karst, which can aid in developing strategies for managing Cd-polluted karst soils.

Sustained Tl(I) removal by α-MnO2: Dual role of tunnel structure incorporation and surface catalytic oxidation

Manganese oxide-based filtration technologies are considered cost-effective for thallium (Tl) removal in engineered systems. However, current gaps in understanding the heterogeneous adsorption and oxidation mechanisms of typical tunneled α-MnO2 may lead to a serious underestimation of its long-term Tl removal potential. In this study, α-MnO2 could continuously remove Tl(I) during the 584-h reaction, with its irreversible removal eventually increasing to 81 %-95 % in different anionic environments. The adsorbed low-loaded Tl(I) is preferentially oxidized, whereas the high-loaded Tl tends to be adsorbed in a nonoxidative pathway by α-MnO2. The nonoxidized Tl(I) was gradually immobilized in the stable thalliomelane-like tunnel structure. More importantly, the synergism of surface Mn(III)-oxygen vacancies (Ov) on α-MnO2 could catalyze the oxidation of Tl(I). Furthermore, the oxidized Tl(III) was bound to the tunnel surface via double edge-sharing and double corner-sharing. In addition, the phosphate anion occupied the surface active site and inhibited the oxidation of Tl(I), thereby reducing the binding strength of Tl. This study provides a new perspective on the effectiveness and stability of Tl(I) removal by MnO2 and highlights the neglected mechanism of Mn(III)-Ov mediating Tl(I) oxidation, which expands our understanding of the removal and transformation fate of Tl in MnO2-engineered systems.

Geochemical insights and model optimisation for pilot-scale passive treatment of manganese and zinc in a legacy mine in Japan

Elevated concentrations of manganese (Mn2+) and zinc (Zn2+) in water bodies can disrupt ecosystems and damage aquatic life. However, the mechanisms underlying the removal of Mn2+ and Zn2+ under dynamic conditions and the optimal hydraulic retention time (HRT) for passive treatment plants remain unclear. Here, a pilot-scale passive treatment system for the removal of Mn2+ and Zn2+ from legacy mine drainage in northern Japan is proposed; it was performed at circumneutral pH for 152 days. Comprehensive suspended solid mineralogy analyses and geochemical and numerical modelling were conducted to optimise the passive treatment efficiency. Mn2+ removal (efficiency reaching 98 %) primarily depended on the activity of Mn-oxidising bacteria. Zn2+ removal involved Zn2+ co-precipitation with birnessite combined with adsorption or ion exchange on the birnessite surface. The inverse numerical model successfully determined the Mn2+ oxidation rate constant, Zn mass transfer coefficient, and Zn distribution coefficient. Under dynamic conditions, HRT emerged as a key factor underlying the pilot-scale passive treatment efficiency. An HRT of 0.5 days led to optimal Mn2+ and Zn2+ removal conditions and achieved values lower than the Japanese national effluent limit. The findings provide crucial information for passive treatment strategy development and environmental management, especially when considering real-scale implementation.

A review on the multifaceted effects of δ-MnO2 on heavy metals, organic matter, and other soil components

Manganese oxide minerals are prevalent in soils and play a pivotal role in the immobilization of heavy metals and the transformation of materials. Characterized by their low point of zero charge and numerous active adsorption sites, manganese oxides effectively accumulate heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from contaminated environments. Different manganese oxides, mediated by Mn(ii), vary in their capacity to enrich heavy metals. Their distinctive nanostructures can be harnessed to create composite materials that boast enhanced adsorption properties and environmental sustainability. As a highly reactive element in soil, manganese engages in multiple reactions with soil organic components and inorganic ions through processes like oxidation-reduction. This activity aids in the elimination of organic pollutants and facilitates carbon sequestration through various mechanisms. This article explores the metal enrichment capabilities of manganese oxides and their influence on soil physicochemical properties, enhancing our understanding of how these oxides adsorb metallic elements and interact with soil components. Such knowledge is crucial for advancing heavy metal remediation strategies and comprehending the biogeochemical processes within soil environments.

Siderophore-Mediated Mobilization of Manganese Limits Iron Solubility in Mixed Mineral Systems

Recent laboratory and field studies show the need to consider the formation of aqueous Mn(III)-siderophore complexes in manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) geochemical cycling, a shift from the historical view that aqueous Mn(III) species are unstable and thus unimportant. In this study, we quantified Mn and Fe mobilization by desferrioxamine B (DFOB), a terrestrial bacterial siderophore, in single (Mn or Fe) and mixed (Mn and Fe) mineral systems. We selected manganite (γ-MnOOH), δ-MnO₂, lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH), and 2-line ferrihydrite (Fe₂O₃·0.5H₂O) as relevant mineral phases. We found that DFOB mobilized Mn(III) as Mn(III)-DFOB complexes to varying extents from both Mn(III,IV) oxyhydroxides but reduction of Mn(IV) to Mn(III) was required for the mobilization of Mn(III) from δ-MnO₂. The initial rates of Mn(III)-DFOB mobilization from manganite and δ-MnO₂ were not affected by the presence of lepidocrocite but decreased by a factor of 5 and 10 for manganite and δ-MnO₂, respectively, in the presence of 2-line ferrihydrite. Additionally, the decomposition of Mn(III)-DFOB complexes through Mn-for-Fe ligand exchange and/or ligand oxidation led to Mn(II) mobilization and Mn(III) precipitation in the mixed-mineral systems (∼10% (mol Mn/mol Fe)). As a result, the concentration of Fe(III) mobilized as Fe(III)-DFOB decreased by up to 50% and 80% in the presence of manganite and δ-MnO₂, respectively, compared to the single mineral systems. Our results demonstrate that siderophores, through their complexation of Mn(III), reduction of Mn(III,IV), and mobilization of Mn(II), can redistribute Mn to other soil minerals and limit the bioavailability of Fe in natural systems.

Constructing the active surface soil layer with ZVI-biochar amendment for simultaneous immobilization of As and Zn in both contaminated soil and groundwater: Continuous versus intermittent infiltration mode

In this study, the zero valent iron-biochar composite (ZVI-BC) was applied to construct an active surface soil layer for the simultaneous remediation of As-Zn contaminated soil and groundwater, focusing on the influence of the infiltration mode of pumped-up groundwater into soil. The active surface soil treated more contaminated groundwater for As (4.45-5.46 L kg^-1 soil) than that for Zn (2.52-3.13 L kg^-1 soil) under both continuous and intermittent infiltration modes, with about 98% As and 95% Zn removed from groundwater and retained in the soil. As(V) precipitated with Fe(III) due to ZVI oxidation, which was responsible for the As immobilization. The soil under the intermittent infiltration mode was enriched by the Sphingomonas with arsenate reductase gene, which promoted more reduction of As(V) into As(III) and facilitated coprecipitation of As(III) with Fe(III). The Mn oxide determined the sorption of Zn in the active soil layer, where the Hyphomicrobium, one type of manganese oxidizing bacteria, was much higher under the continuous infiltration mode, which accounted for the more Zn immobilization. After the remediation, both As and Zn immobilized in the active surface soil showed high stability, with the average downward migration rate of only 0.207-0.368 cm year^-1 within 20-year rainfall exposure. Our findings indicate that this active surface soil layer is applicable for simultaneous immobilization of As and Zn in both contaminated soil and groundwater, and the groundwater intermittent infiltration could be a better option considering the remediation effectiveness, the immobilization mechanism, the long-term stability, and the energetic efficiency.

Coprecipitation mechanisms of Zn by birnessite formation and its mineralogy under neutral pH conditions

Birnessite (δ-Mn(IV)O₂) is a great manganese (Mn) adsorbent for dissolved divalent metals. In this study, we investigated the coprecipitation mechanism of δ-MnO₂ in the presence of Zn(II) and an oxidizing agent (sodium hypochlorite) under two neutral pH values (6.0 and 7.5). The mineralogical characteristics and Zn-Mn mixed products were compared with simple surface complexation by adsorption modeling and structural analysis. Batch coprecipitation experiments at different Zn/Mn molar ratios showed a Langmuir-type isotherm at pH 6.0, which was similar to the result of adsorption experiments at pH 6.0 and 7.5. X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption fine structure analysis revealed triple-corner-sharing inner-sphere complexation on the vacant sites was the dominant Zn sorption mechanism on δ-MnO₂ under these experimental conditions. A coprecipitation experiment at pH 6.0 produced some hetaerolite (ZnMn(III)₂O₄) and manganite (γ-Mn(III)OOH), but only at low Zn/Mn molar ratios (< 1). These secondary precipitates disappeared because of crystal dissolution at higher Zn/Mn molar ratios because they were thermodynamically unstable. Woodruffite (ZnMn(IV)₃O₇•2H₂O) was produced in the coprecipitation experiment at pH 7.5 with a high Zn/Mn molar ratio of 5. This resulted in a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)-type sorption isotherm, in which formation was explained by transformation of the crystalline structure of δ-MnO₂ to a tunnel structure. Our experiments demonstrate that abiotic coprecipitation reactions can induce Zn-Mn compound formation on the δ-MnO₂ surface, and that the pH is an important controlling factor for the crystalline structures and thermodynamic stabilities.

Abiotic transformation of atrazine in aqueous phase by biogenic bixbyite-type Mn2O3 produced by a soil-derived Mn(II)-oxidizing bacterium of Providencia sp

Recently, biogenic Mn oxides (BioMnO_x) are considered as the promising degradation agents for environmental organic contaminants. However, little information is available for the degradation of atrazine by BioMnO_x. In this work, BioMnO_x, generated by a soil-derived Mn(II)-oxidizing bacterium, Providencia sp. LLDRA6, was explored to degrade atrazine. To begin with, collective results from mineral characterization analyses demonstrated that this BioMnO_x was biogenic bixbyite-type Mn₂O₃. After that, purified biogenic Mn₂O₃ was found to exhibit a much higher removal efficiency for atrazine in aqueous phase, as compared to unpurified biogenic Mn₂O₃ and LLDRA6 biomass. During the atrazine removal by biogenic Mn₂O₃, six intermediate degradation products were discovered, comprising deethylatrazine (DEA), hydroxylatrazine (HA), deethylhydroxyatrazine (DEHA), ammeline, cyanuric acid, and 5-methylhexahydro-1,3,5-triazine-2-thione (MTT). Particularly, the intermediate, MTT, was considered as a new degradation product of atrazine, which was not described previously. Meanwhile, Mn(II) ions were released from biogenic Mn₂O₃, and on the surface of biogenic Mn₂O₃, the content of hydroxyl O species increased at the expense of that of lattice and water O species, but the fundamental crystalline structure of this Mn oxide remained unchanged. Additionally, no dissociative Mn(III) was found to involve in atrazine degradation. In summary, these results demonstrated that both the non-oxidative and oxidative reactions underlay the degradation of atrazine by biogenic Mn₂O₃.

Alteration of birnessite reactivity in dynamic anoxic/oxic environments

Although the oxidative capacity of manganese oxides has been widely investigated, potential changes of the surface reactivity in dynamic anoxic/oxic environments have been often overlooked. In this study, we showed that the reactivity of layer structured manganese oxide (birnessite) was highly sensitive to variable redox conditions within environmentally relevant ranges of pH (4.0 - 8.0), ionic strength (0-100 mM NaCl) and Mn(II)/MnO₂ molar ratio (0-0.58) using ofloxacine (OFL), a typical antibiotic, as a target contaminant. In oxic conditions, OFL removal was enhanced relative to anoxic environments under alkaline conditions. Surface-catalyzed oxidation of Mn(II) enabled the formation of more reactive Mn(III) sites for OFL oxidation. However, an increase in Mn(II)/MnO₂ molar ratio suppressed MnO₂ reactivity, probably because of competitive binding between Mn(II) and OFL and/or modification in MnO₂ surface charge. Monovalent cations (e.g., Na⁺) may compensate the charge deficiency caused by the presence of Mn(III), and affect the aggregation of MnO₂ particles, particularly under oxic conditions. An enhancement in the removal efficiency of OFL was then confirmed in the dynamic two-step anoxic/oxic process, which emulates oscillating redox conditions in environmental settings. These findings call for a thorough examination of the reactivity changes at environmental mineral surfaces (e.g., MnO₂) in natural systems that may be subjected to alternation between anaerobic and oxygenated conditions.

Effects of Mn(II) addition on Cd(II) removal by hydrated manganese dioxide

In this study, the redox homogeneous precipitation method was applied to synthesize hydrated manganese dioxide (HMO) and to study the removal performance of Cd(II) from wastewater. Moreover, a small amount of Mn(II) could still combine with HMO without causing the desorption of Cd(II). A novel discovery was that the synergistic effect of KMnO₄ and Mn(II) could directly regenerate MnO₂ to deeply remove Cd(II), realizing the recycling of MnO₂. The influence of Mn(II) addition on the adsorption behavior of Cd(II) was discussed in terms of pH, Mn(II) addition mode, initial concentration of Mn(II) or Cd(II), and contact time. The adsorption of Cd(II) on HMO could be better in line with the Langmuir model, while that of Mn(II) accorded with the Freundlich model. The pseudo-second-order kinetic fitting results indicated that the removal of Cd(II) and Mn(II) on HMO belonged to chemisorption. SEM, XRD, FTIR, and XPS analysis demonstrated that Cd(II) was trapped by forming an inner-sphere complex on HMO, and the added Mn(II) and KMnO₄ could regenerate MnO₂ through oxidation-reduction reaction, wrapping outside of Cd(II) for a purpose of deep removal of Cd(II). HIGHLIGHTS: 1)A small amount of Mn(II) can bind to HMO without causing Cd(II) desorption 2)A large amount of Mn(II) can cause partial desorption of Cd(II) 3)Large amount of Mn(II) will partially bind to the surface of HMO or Cd(II) complexes 4)Deeply remove Cd(II) without eluting and regenerating HMO.

Mn(II)-Mn(III)-Mn(IV) redox cycling inhibits the removal of methylparaben and acetaminophen mediated by horseradish peroxidase: New insights into the mechanism

Catalyzed oxidative coupling reactions mediated by enzyme have been proposed as an effective remediation strategy to remove micropollutants, however, little is known about how the Mn(II) redox cycling affects the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-mediated reactions in wastewater treatment. Here, we explored the removal of two pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), methylparaben (MeP) and acetaminophen (AAP), in HRP-mediated reaction system with dissolved Mn (II). It was found that the conversion rate of AAP was about 284 times higher than that of MeP, and Mn (II) significantly inhibited HRP-catalyzed MeP removal but had little influence on that of AAP. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and theoretical calculations demonstrated that HRP converted Mn(II) into Mn(III), and then generated MnO₂ colloid, which inhibited the removal of the substrates. Moreover, the results of theoretical calculations also showed that the binding energy between HRP and Mn was 27.68 kcal/mol, which was higher than that of MeP (25.24 kcal/mol) and lower than that of AAP (30.19 kcal/mol). Therefore, when MeP and Mn (II) coexisted in the reaction system, HRP preferentially reacted with Mn(II), which explained the different impacts of Mn (II) on the removal of MeP and AAP. Additionally, Mn (II) significantly altered the product distribution by decreasing the amount of polymerization products. Overall, our work here revealed the roles of Mn (II) in the removal of MeP and AAP mediated by HRP, having strong implications for an accurate assessment of the influence of Mn(II) redox cycling on the removal of PPCPs in wastewater treatment.

The use of mercapto-modified palygorskite prevents the bioaccumulation of cadmium in wheat

In this study, the mechanism by which mercapto-modified palygorskite (MPAL) mediates Cd and Mn absorption by wheat was elucidated. In the aqueous phase, MPAL can react with Cd to form Cd-thiol complexes and CdO and with Mn to form MnO. In the wheat-soil system, 0.1-0.3% MPAL application increased the biomass of wheat by 18.6-29.4% and decreased the Cd concentration in shoots and roots by 19.4-51.8% and 35.9-64%, respectively; however, MPAL application did not decrease the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extracted Cd concentration in soil, probably because the formed Cd-thiol complexes and CdO could not be taken up by plants but could be extracted by DTPA. MPAL appeared to increase the Mn concentration in plants and the DTPA-extracted Mn concentration in soil, possibly because of the reduction in soil Mn oxides to more soluble Mn(Ⅱ) by the thiol groups in MPAL. MPAL enriched plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and Cd-immobilizing bacteria and strengthened the sulfate reduction metabolism in rhizosphere soil, which partly contributed to the improvement in plant growth and the reduction in Cd bioaccumulation in wheat. These findings highlight the importance of the thiol group in MPAL and the regulation of the rhizosphere bacterial community in mediating Cd and Mn bioaccumulation in wheat.

Antimonate Controls Manganese(II)-Induced Transformation of Birnessite at a Circumneutral pH

Manganese (Mn) oxides, such as birnessite (δ-MnO₂), are ubiquitous mineral phases in soils and sediments that can interact strongly with antimony (Sb). The reaction between birnessite and aqueous Mn(II) can induce the formation of secondary Mn oxides. Here, we studied to what extent different loadings of antimonate (herein termed Sb(V)) sorbed to birnessite determine the products formed during Mn(II)-induced transformation (at pH 7.5) and corresponding changes in Sb behavior. In the presence of 10 mM Mn(II)_aq, low Sb(V)_aq (10 μmol L^-1) triggered the transformation of birnessite to a feitknechtite (β-Mn(III)OOH) intermediary phase within 1 day, which further transformed into manganite (γ-Mn(III)OOH) over 30 days. Medium and high concentrations of Sb(V)_aq (200 and 600 μmol L^-1, respectively) led to the formation of manganite, hausmannite (Mn(II)Mn(III)₂O₄), and groutite (αMn(III)OOH). The reaction of Mn(II) with birnessite enhanced Sb(V)_aq removal compared to Mn(II)-free treatments. Antimony K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy revealed that heterovalent substitution of Sb(V) for Mn(III) occurred within the secondary Mn oxides, which formed via the Mn(II)-induced transformation of Sb(V)-sorbed birnessite. Overall, Sb(V) strongly influenced the products of the Mn(II)-induced transformation of birnessite, which in turn attenuated Sb mobility via incorporation of Sb(V) within the secondary Mn oxide phases.

Limestone dosage response of cadmium phytoavailability minimization in rice: A trade-off relationship between soil pH and amorphous manganese content

Limestone shows great potential to reduce the production of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated rice in acidic paddy soils, but has generated uncertainty effects. We conducted batch sorption and greenhouse experiments to investigate optimal conditions of pH and amorphous manganese content (Mn_ox) in limestone treated-soil for suppressing the Cd uptake by rice plants. The adsorption/desorption behavior of Cd in a soil/limestone mixture was dominated by the composition and density of sorption sites, followed by sorption conditions, which were mainly influenced by soil pH and exchangeable Ca²⁺. Interactions among soil factors were influenced both by the limestone effects and plant responses. The Cd uptake of rice plants did not matched to the doses of limestone applied. The increase in pH and decrease in Mn_ox following higher dosages of limestone treatment might produce contradictory effects on rice Cd uptake. We proposed a trade-off model to demonstrate how did the interactions of soil pH and Mn_ox affect the rice Cd uptake. To minimize the accumulation of Cd in rice grain harvested from acidic paddy soils, limestone was applied at 0.25 % to achieve an optimal pH of 6.5 and a Mn_ox of 95 mg kg^-1.

Natural attenuation of lead by microbial manganese oxides in a karst aquifer

Lead is a toxic environmental contaminant associated with current and historic mine sites. Here we studied the natural attenuation of Pb in a limestone cave system that receives drainage from the ancient Priddy Mineries, UK. Extensive deposits of manganese oxides were observed to be forming on the cave walls and as coatings in the stream beds. Analysis of these deposits identified them as birnessite (δ-MnO₂), with some extremely high concentrations of sorbed Pb (up to 56 wt%) also present. We hypothesised that these cave crusts were actively being formed by microbial Mn(II)-oxidation, and to investigate this the microbial communities were characterised by DNA sequencing, enrichment and isolation experiments. The birnessite deposits contained abundant and diverse prokaryotes and fungi, with ~5% of prokaryotes and ~ 10% of fungi closely related to known heterotrophic Mn(II)-oxidisers. A substantial proportion (up to 17%) of prokaryote sequences were assigned to groups known as autotrophic ammonia and nitrite oxidisers, suggesting that nitrogen cycling may play an important role in contributing energy and carbon to the cave crust microbial communities and consequently the formation of Mn(IV) oxides and Pb attenuation. Enrichment and isolation experiments showed that the birnessite deposits contained Mn(II)-oxidising microorganisms, and two isolates (Streptomyces sp. and Phyllobacterium sp.) could oxidise Mn(II) in the presence of 0.1 mM Pb. Supplying the enrichment cultures with acetate as a source of energy and carbon stimulated Mn(II)-oxidation, but excess organics in the form of glucose generated aqueous Mn(II), likely via microbial Mn(IV)-reduction. In this karst cave, microbial Mn(II)-oxidation contributes to the active sequestration and natural attenuation of Pb from contaminated waters, and therefore may be considered a natural analogue for the design of wastewater remediation systems and for understanding the geochemical controls on karst groundwater quality, a resource relied upon by billions of people across the globe.

Role of Reduced Sulfur in the Transformation of Cd(II) Immobilized by δ-MnO2

Mn oxides are the major sinks for Cd(II) in the aquatic environment. At the redox interface, reduced sulfur might affect the fate of sorbed Cd(II) by either reducing Mn oxides or forming strong complexes with Cd(II). Here, we investigated the fate of Cd(II) immobilized on δ-MnO₂ affected by reduced sulfur (S^2- and cysteine). A low concentration of S^2- led to Cd(II) migration from vacant sites to edge sites, while a high concentration of S^2- largely converted Cd(II) adsorbed on the surface of δ-MnO₂ to CdS. At low pH, the cysteine addition led to the release of Cd(II) initially adsorbed at the δ-MnO₂ vacant sites into the solution and caused the migration of a small portion of Cd(II) to the δ-MnO₂ edge sites. At high pH, a high concentration of cysteine led to the detachment of Cd(II) from δ-MnO₂, Cd(II) readsorption by Mn(III)-bearing minerals, and Cd-cysteine formation. Changes of Cd(II) speciation were caused by δ-MnO₂ dissolution induced by reduced sulfur, the competition of generated Mn(II/III) for the adsorption sites, and the precipitation of Cd(II) with reduced sulfur. This study indicates that reduced sulfur is a critical factor controlling the fate of Cd(II) immobilized on Mn oxides in the aquatic environment.

Water Flow and Dissolved MnII Alter Transformation of Pipemidic Acid by Manganese Oxide

Manganese oxides have been proposed as promising geomedia to remove trace organic contaminants in both natural soils and artificial infiltration systems. Although MnO_x-based redox processes have been largely investigated, little is known on the effects of water flow and dissolved Mn^II on manganese-mediated redox reactions in saturated porous media. Here, we have demonstrated that the reactive transport of a widely used quinolone antibiotic, pipemidic acid (PIP), in MnO₂-coated sand (MCS) columns is altered by the presence of dissolved Mn^II, generated in situ as reduced ions or present in inflow solution. Decreasing the flow rate or flow interruption facilitated oxidation reactions and generated redox byproducts (Mn^II and PIP_ox). However, preloading of MCS columns with dissolved Mn^II led to suppressed reactivity with PIP. When PIP and Mn^II are simultaneously injected, competition between PIP and Mn^II for binding at the edge sites takes place during the initial kinetic phase of reaction, while at a later breakthrough time Mn^II will occupy both edge and vacancy sites due to the continuous supply of Mn^II. We also developed a reactive transport model that accounts for adsorption kinetics to predict changes in transport behavior of antibiotics in the presence of different doses of dissolved Mn^II. This work has strong implications for an accurate assessment of the reactivity of manganese oxides used as engineered geomedia for quinolone remediation and in developing transport models of antibiotics in natural systems.

Discovery of a novel native bacterium of Providencia sp. with high biosorption and oxidation ability of manganese for bioleaching of heavy metal contaminated soils

Heavy metal removal from contaminated soils is a long-term challenging problem important for global economics, environment, and human health. Marine and freshwater-originated Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria are considered as the promising bioremediation agents for environmental applications. However, practical application of soil-originated Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria remains to be developed for contaminated soil remediation. In this work, the Mn(II) biosorption/oxidation mechanism of a new soil-originated bacterium and its bioleaching efficiency of heavy metals from soils was studied in detail. First, we found, isolated and identified a new highly Mn(II)-tolerant bacterial strain Providencia sp. LLDRA6 from heavy metal-contaminated soils. Next, strain LLDRA6 demonstrated its high Mn(II) biosorption capacity in aqueous solution. Then, Mn(II) adsorption by LLDRA6 was largely proven to be a synergistic effect of (i) Mn(II) precipitation on the cell surface, (ii) oxidation of Mn(II) into BioMnO_x on the cell surface, and (iii) intracellular accumulation of insoluble MnCO₃. Finally, combination bioleaching by the bacterium of Providencia sp. LLDRA6 and its formed BioMnO_x was proposed to develop a potential environment-friendly and cost-effective technique to remediate severely heavy metal-contaminated soils. The bioleaching tests demonstrated that the combination of Providencia sp. LLDRA6 and BioMnO_x exhibited an excellent removal efficiency for heavy metals of Pb (81.72%), Cr (88.29%), Cd (90.34%), Cu (91.25%), Mn (56.13%), and Zn (59.83%) from contaminated soils, resulting in an increase of removal efficiency in the range of 1.68-26.4% compared to Providencia sp. LLDRA6 alone. Moreover, the bacterial leachate facilitated the residual fraction of metals to transform into the easily migratory fractions in soils. These findings have demonstrated that strain LLDRA6 has high adsorption ability to remove heavy metals from contaminated soils, thus providing a promising bio-adsorbent for environmental bioremediation.

Cd(II) retention and remobilization on δ-MnO2 and Mn(III)-rich δ-MnO2 affected by Mn(II)

Birnessite owing to its negative surface charge and defective structure exhibits high sorption affinities for Cd(II). However, Mn(II) can not only compete for the sorption sites with Cd(II), but also react with structural Mn(IV) in birnessite to form Mn(III), and thus, affect Cd(II) immobilization by birnessite. Herein, we investigate effects of Mn(II) on Cd(II) retention and remobilization on two birnessite δ-MnO₂ and Mn(III)-rich δ-MnO₂ (denoted as HE-MnO₂). At pH 5.5, Cd(II) sorption to birnessite was inhibited by Mn(II) addition. Mn(II) addition to δ-MnO₂ led to Cd(II) migration from vacant sites to edge sites, forming double-corner sharing (DCS) complexes. Mn(II) introduction to δ-MnO₂ led to less stable Cd(II) species formed on birnessite, indicating that Cd(II) was more firmly bound to vacant sites than edge sites of birnessite. Cd(II) formed double-edge sharing (DES) and DCS complexes on HE-MnO₂. Mn(II) addition to HE-MnO₂ increased the CdMn distance in DES complexes. The stability of adsorbed Cd(II) on HE-MnO₂ was slightly elevated due to Mn(II) addition. At pH 7.5, Mn(II) had no effect on Cd(II) sorption and desorption amounts on birnessite. However, low concentration of Mn(II) added to δ-MnO₂ induced partial migration of Cd(II) from vacant sites to edge sites while high concentration of Mn(II) added to birnessite led to the formation of amorphous Cd(II)-Mn(III) coprecipitate. These findings imply that aqueous Mn(II) is an important factor in influencing Cd(II) immobilization by birnessite in the environment.

Metal Adsorption Controls Stability of Layered Manganese Oxides

Hexagonal birnessite, a typical layered Mn oxide (LMO), can adsorb and oxidize Mn(II) and thereby transform to Mn(III)-rich hexagonal birnessite, triclinic birnessite, or tunneled Mn oxides (TMOs), remarkably changing the environmental behavior of Mn oxides. We have determined the effects of coexisting cations on the transformation by incubating Mn(II)-bearing δ-MnO₂ at pH 8 under anoxic conditions for 25 d (dissolved Mn < 11 μM). In the Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ chloride solutions, the Mn(II)-bearing δ-MnO₂ first transforms to Mn(III)-rich δ-MnO₂ or triclinic birnessite (T-bir) due to the Mn(II)-Mn(IV) comproportionation, most of which eventually transform to a 4 × 4 TMO. In contrast, Mn(III)-rich δ-MnO₂ and T-bir form and persist in the Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ chloride solutions. However, in the presence of surface adsorbed Cu(II), Mn(II)-bearing δ-MnO₂ turns into Mn(III)-rich δ-MnO₂ without forming T-bir or TMOs. The stabilizing power of the cations on the δ-MnO₂ structure positively correlates with their binding strength to δ-MnO₂ (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ < Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ < Cu(II)). Since metal adsorption decreases the surface energy of minerals, our finding suggests that the surface energy largely controls the thermodynamic stability of LMOs. Our study indicates that the adsorption of divalent metal cations, particularly transition metals, can be an important cause of the high abundance of LMOs, rather than the more stable TMO phases, in the environment.

Geochemical Stability of Dissolved Mn(III) in the Presence of Pyrophosphate as a Model Ligand: Complexation and Disproportionation

Dissolved Mn(III) species have recently been recognized as a significant form of Mn in redox transition zones, but their speciation, stability, and reactivity are poorly understood. Besides acting as the intermediate for Mn redox chemistry, Mn(III) can undergo disproportionation producing insoluble Mn oxides and aqueous Mn(II). Using pyrophosphate(PP) as a model ligand, we evaluated the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of Mn(III) complexes. They were stable at circumneutral pH and were prone to (partial) disproportionation at acidic or basic pH. With an initial lag phase, the kinetics of Mn(III)-PP disproportionation was autocatalytic with the produced Mn oxides promoting the disproportionation. X-ray diffraction and the average Mn oxidation state indicated that the solid products were not pure Mn(IV) oxides but a mixture of triclinic birnessite and δ-MnO₂. Addition of synthetic analogs of the precipitates eliminated the lag phase, confirming their catalytic roles. Thermodynamic calculations adequately predicted the stability regime of Mn(III)-PP. The present results refined the constant for Mn(PP)₂^5- formation, which allows a consistent and quantitative prediction of equilibrium speciation of Mn(III)-Mn(II)-birnessite with PP. A simple and robust model, which incorporated the thermodynamic constraints, autocatalytic rate law, and verified reaction stoichiometry, successfully simulated all kinetic data.

Characterization of manganese oxide amendments for in situ remediation of mercury-contaminated sediments

Addition of Mn(iv)-oxide phases pyrolusite or birnessite was investigated as a remedial amendment for Hg-contaminated sediments. Because inorganic Hg methylation is a byproduct of bacterial sulfate reduction, reaction of Mn(iv) oxide with pore water should poise sediment oxidation potential at a level higher than favorable for Hg methylation. Changes in Mn(iv)-oxide mineralogy and oxidation state over time were investigated in sediment tank mesocosm experiments in which Mn(iv)-oxide amendment was either mixed into Hg-contaminated sediment or applied as a thin-layer sand cap on top of sediment. Mesocosms were sampled between 4 and 15 months of operation and solid phases were characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). For pyrolusite-amended sediments, Mn(iv) oxide was altered to a mixture of Mn(iii)-oxyhydroxide and Mn, Fe(iii, ii)-oxide phases, with a progressive increase in the Mn(ii)-carbonate fraction over time as mesocosm sediments became more reduced. For birnessite-amended sediments, both Mn(iii) oxyhydroxide and Mn(ii) carbonate were identified at 4 months, indicating a faster rate of Mn reduction compared to pyrolusite. After 15 months of reaction, birnessite was converted completely to Mn(ii) carbonate, whereas residual Mn, Fe(iii, ii)-oxide phases were still present in addition to Mn(ii) carbonate in the pyrolusite mesocosm. In the thin-layer sand cap mesocosms, no changes in either pyrolusite or birnessite XAS spectra were observed after 10 months of reaction. Equilibrium phase relationships support the interpretation of mineral redox buffering by mixed-valent (Mn, Fe)(iii, ii)-oxide phases. Results suggest that amendment longevity for redox buffering can be controlled by adjusting the mass and type of Mn(iv) oxide applied, mineral crystallinity, surface area, and particle size. For a given site, amendment capping versus mixing with sediment should be evaluated to determine the optimum treatment approach, which may vary depending on application constraints, rate of Mn(iv) oxide transformation, and frequency of reapplication to maintain desired oxidation state and pH.

Structural Transformation of Birnessite by Fulvic Acid under Anoxic Conditions

The structure and Mn(III) concentration of birnessite dictate its reactivity and can be changed by birnessite partial reduction, but effects of pH and reductant/birnessite ratios on the changes by reduction remain unclear. We found that the two factors strongly affect the structure of birnessite (δ-MnO₂) and its Mn(III) content during its reduction by fulvic acid (FA) at pH 4-8 and FA/solid mass ratios of 0.01-10 under anoxic conditions over 600 h. During the reduction, the structure of δ-MnO₂ is increasingly accumulated with both Mn(III) and Mn(II) but much more with Mn(III) at pH 8, whereas the accumulated Mn is mainly Mn(II) with little Mn(III) at pH 4 and 6. Mn(III) accumulation, either in layers or over vacancies, is stronger at higher FA/solid ratios. At FA/solid ratios ≥1 and pH 6 and 8, additional hausmannite and MnOOH phases form. The altered birnessite favorably adsorbs FA because of the structural accumulation of Mn(II, III). Like during microbially mediated oxidative precipitation of birnessite, the dynamic changes during its reduction are ascribed to the birnessite-Mn(II) redox reactions. Our work suggests low reactivity of birnessite coexisting with organic matter and severe decline of its reactivity by partial reduction in alkaline environment.

Recrystallization of Manganite (γ-MnOOH) and Implications for Trace Element Cycling

The recrystallization of Mn(III,IV) oxides is catalyzed by aqueous Mn(II) (Mn(II)_aq) during (bio)geochemical Mn redox cycling. It is poorly understood how trace metals associated with Mn oxides (e.g., Ni) are cycled during such recrystallization. Here, we use X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to examine the speciation of Ni associated with Manganite (γ-Mn(III)OOH) suspensions in the presence or absence of Mn(II)_aq under variable pH conditions (pH 5.5 and 7.5). In a second set of experiments, we used a ⁶²Ni isotope tracer to quantify the amount of dissolved Ni that exchanges with Ni incorporated in the Manganite crystal structure during reactions in 1 mM Mn(II)_aq and in Mn(II)-free solutions. XAS spectra show that Ni is initially sorbed on the Manganite mineral surface and is progressively incorporated into the mineral structure over time (13% after 51 days) even in the absence of dissolved Mn(II). The amount of Ni incorporation significantly increases to about 40% over a period of 51 days when Mn(II)_aq is present in solution. Similarly, Mn(II)_aq promotes Ni exchange between Ni-substituted Manganite and dissolved Ni(II), with around 30% of Ni exchanged at pH 7.5 over the duration of the experiment. No new mineral phases are detected following recrystallization as determined by X-ray diffraction and XAS. Our results reveal that Mn(II)-catalyzed mineral recrystallization partitions Ni between Mn oxides and aqueous fluids and can therefore affect Ni speciation and mobility in the environment.