Iron and manganese oxides undergo myriad reactions that regulate the geochemistry of terrestrial and marine environments. Although biogenic formation pathways have long been recognized as important for minerals in specific environments, advances in our understanding of the distribution and diversity of biomineralizing organisms, such as neutrophilic iron oxidizing bacteria and manganese oxidizing fungi, have expanded our knowledge of the range of natural and engineered environments impacted by biominerals. Furthermore, these biominerals may span a wide range of mineral structures and physical morphologies, which may be distinct from abiotic surrogates. To better elucidate the possible geochemical effects of biominerals, we coupled spectroscopic measurements of mineral structure to electrochemical and wet chemical measurements to better understand the properties of mycogenic manganese oxides isolated from a remediation systems and bacteriogenic oxides from neutrophilic soil and water organisms. A better understanding of biomineral reactivity may result in improved geochemical equilibrium and reactive transport models.

Structure and reactivity of biogenic manganese and iron minerals

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.