Cation effects on the layer structure of biogenic Mn-oxides

Oxidation process of dissolvable sulfide by synthesized todorokite in aqueous systems

Todorokite, formed from Mn(II) in supergene environments, can affect the transformation and migration of dissolvable sulfides in soils and water. In this work, todorokite was synthesized with different degrees of crystallinity, and the redox mechanism of dissolvable sulfide and todorokite was studied in both closed and open aqueous systems. The influences of pH, temperature, crystallinity, the amount of manganese oxides, and oxygen gas on S(2-) oxidation process were investigated. It is found that S(2-) was oxidized to S(0), SO3(2-), S2O3(2-) and SO4(2-), and about 90% of S(2-) was converted into S(0) in closed systems. The participation of oxygen facilitated the further oxidation of S(0) to S2O3(2-). S(0) and S2O3(2-) were formed with the conversion rates of S(2-) about 45.3% and 38.4% after 1h of reaction, respectively, and the conversion rate for S2O3(2-) increased as reaction prolonged for a longer period. In addition, todorokite was reduced to Mn(OH)2 in the presence of nitrogen gas, and its chemical stability increased when oxygen gas was admitted into the reaction system during the process. The oxidation rate of dissolvable sulfide followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic law in the initial stage (within 10 min), and the initial oxidation rate constant of S(2-) increased with elevating temperature, increasing the quantity and decreasing crystallinity of todorokite. The initial oxidation rate of dissolvable sulfide decreased with continuous feeding of O2 into the test solution, possibly due to a decrease in active Mn(III) content in todorokite. The present work demonstrates the redox behaviors and kinetics of dissolvable sulfide and todorokite in aquatic environments.

Absorption mechanisms of Cu(2+) on a biogenic bixbyite-like Mn2O3 produced by Bacillus CUA isolated from soil

BACKGROUND

Although most reported biogenic Mn oxides are hexagonal birnessites, other types of biogenic Mn oxides also commonly occur in the environment. However, sorption characteristics and underlying mechanisms of the adsorption of heavy-metal ions on these biogenic Mn oxides are still rarely addressed. In this study, the sorption mechanisms of Cu(II) on a low valence biogenic Mn oxide, poorly crystallized bixbyite-like Mn2O3 (α-Mn2O3), were investigated.

RESULTS

The maximum adsorption capacity of Cu(II) onto this biogenic Mn oxide at pH 6.00 was 796 mmol/kg (0.45 mol Cu mol(-1) Mn). The complex structure of adsorbed Cu(II) was constrained using Cu extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis, combined with structural parameters of the biogenic Mn oxide with alternately arranged regular and distorted MnO6 octahedra obtained through multiple-FEFF fitting of Mn EXAFS data. The sorbed Cu(II) was found to coordinate with the biogenic Mn oxide particle edges as inner-sphere complexes. At a relatively low Cu(2+) loading (233 mmol/kg, pH 6.00), Cu(II) adsorbed onto the biogenic Mn oxide with two types of coordinated complexes, i.e., (1) coordinated with one regular/distorted MnO6 octahedron as a monodentate-mononuclear complex and (2) with two adjacent MnO6 octahedra as a bidentate-binuclear complex. While, at a relatively high Cu(2+) loading (787 mmol/kg, pH 6.00), only one type of coordinated complex was constrained, the adsorbed Cu(II) coordinated with one regular/distorted MnO6 octahedron as a monodentate-mononuclear complex.

CONCLUSIONS

This research extends further insight into the bacterial Mn(II) oxidation in the environment and serves as a good reference for understanding the interactions between metal ions and biogenic low valence Mn oxides, which are still poorly explored either theoretically or practically.

Impacts of aqueous Mn(II) on the sorption of Zn(II) by hexagonal birnessite

We used a combination of batch studies and spectroscopic analyses to assess the impacts of aqueous Mn(II) on the solubility and speciation of Zn(II) in anoxic suspensions of hexagonal birnessite at pH 6.5 and 7.5. Introduction of aqueous Mn(II) into pre-equilibrated Zn(II)-birnessite suspensions leads to desorption of Zn(II) at pH 6.5, but enhances Zn(II) sorption at pH 7.5. XAS results show that Zn(II) adsorbs as tetrahedral and octahedral triple-corner-sharing complexes at layer vacancy sites when reacted with birnessite in the absence of Mn(II). Addition of aqueous Mn(II) causes no discernible change in Zn(II) surface speciation at pH 6.5, but triggers conversion of adsorbed Zn(II) into spinel Zn(II)1-xMn(II)xMn(III)2O4 precipitates at pH 7.5. This conversion is driven by electron transfer from adsorbed Mn(II) to structural Mn(IV) generating Mn(III) surface species that coprecipitate with Zn(II) and Mn(II). Our results demonstrate substantial production of these reactive Mn(III) surface species within 30 min of contact of the birnessite substrate with aqueous Mn(II). Their importance as a control on the sorption and redox reactivity of Mn-oxides toward Zn(II) and other trace metal(loid)s in environments undergoing biogeochemical manganese redox cycling requires further study.

A Mn-54 radiotracer study of Mn isotope solid-liquid exchange during reductive transformation of vernadite (δ-MnO2) by aqueous Mn(II)

We employed Mn-54 radiotracers to characterize the extent and dynamics of Mn atom exchange between aqueous Mn(II) and vernadite (δ-Mn(IV)O2) at pH 7.5 under anoxic conditions. Exchange of Mn atoms between the solid and liquid phase is rapid, reaching dynamic equilibrium in 2-4 days. We propose that during the initial stages of reaction, Mn atom exchange occurs through consecutive comproportionation-disproportionation reactions where interfacial electron transfer from adsorbed Mn(II) to lattice Mn(IV) generates labile Mn(III) cations that rapidly disproportionate to reform aqueous Mn(II) and solid-phase Mn(IV). Following nucleation of Mn(III)OOH phases, additional exchange likely occurs through electron transfer from aqueous Mn(II) to solid-phase Mn(III). Our results provide evidence for the fast and extensive production of transient Mn(III) species at the vernadite surface upon contact of this substrate with dissolved Mn(II). We further show that HEPES buffer is a reductant of lattice Mn(IV) in the vernadite structure in our experiments. The methods and results presented here introduce application of Mn-54 tracers as a facile tool to further investigate the formation kinetics of labile Mn(III) surface species and their impacts on Mn-oxide structure and reactivity over a range of environmentally relevant geochemical conditions.

Solid-state transformation of nanocrystalline phyllomanganate into tectomanganate: influence of initial layer and interlayer structure

In surficial environments, the fate of many elements is influenced by their interactions with the phyllomanganate vernadite, a nano-sized and turbostratic variety of birnessite. To advance our understanding of the surface reactivity of vernadite as a function of pH, synthetic vernadite (δ-MnO2) was equilibrated at pH ranging from 3 to 10 and characterized structurally using chemical methods, thermogravimetry and modelling of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. With decreasing pH, the number of vacant layer sites increases in the octahedral layers of δ-MnO2(from 0.14 per layer octahedron at pH 10 to 0.17 at pH 3), whereas the number of layer Mn3+is, within errors, equal to 0.12 per layer octahedron over the whole pH range. Vacant layer sites are capped by interlayer Mn3+sorbed as triple corner-sharing surface complexes (TC sites). The increasing number of interlayer Mn3+with decreasing pH (from 0.075 per layer octahedron at pH 10 to 0.175 at pH 3) results in the decrease of the average Mn oxidation degree (from 3.80 ± 0.01 at pH 10 to 3.70 ± 0.01 at pH 3) and in the lowering of the Na/Mn ratio (from 27.66 ± 0.20 at pH 10 to 6.99 ± 0.16 at pH 3). In addition, in-plane unit-cell parameters are negatively correlated to the number of interlayer Mn at TC sites and decrease with decreasing pH (fromb= 2.842 Å at pH 10 tob= 2.834 Å at pH 3), layer symmetry being systematically hexagonal witha=b× 31/2. Finally, modelling of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicates that crystallite size in theabplane and along thec* axis decreases with decreasing pH, ranging respectively from 7 nm to 6 nm, and from 1.2 nm to 1.0 nm (pH 10 and 3, respectively). Following their characterization, dry samples were sealed in polystyrene vials, kept in the dark, and re-analysed 4 and 8 years later. With ageing time and despite the dry state, layer Mn3+extensively migrates to the interlayer most likely to minimize steric strains resulting from the Jahn–Teller distortion of Mn3+octahedra. When the number of interlayer Mn3+at TC sites resulting from this migration reaches the maximum value of ∼ 1/3 per layer octahedron, interlayer species from adjacent layers share their coordination sphere, resulting in cryptomelane-like tunnel structure fragments (with a 2  × 2 tunnel size) with a significantly improved layer stacking order.

Cr(OH)3(s) oxidation induced by surface catalyzed Mn(II) oxidation

We examined the feasibility of Cr(OH)3(s) oxidation mediated by surface catalyzed Mn(II) oxidation under common groundwater pH conditions as a potential pathway of natural Cr(VI) contaminations. Dissolved Mn(II) (50 μM) was reacted with or without synthesized Cr(OH)3(s) (1.0 g/L) at pH 7.0-9.0 under oxic or anoxic conditions. Homogeneous Mn(II) oxidation by dissolved O2 was not observed at pH ≤ 8.0 for 50 days. At pH 9.0, by contrast, dissolved Mn(II) was completely removed within 8 days and precipitated as hausmannite. When Cr(OH)3(s) was present, this solid was oxidized and released substantial amounts of Cr(VI) as dissolved Mn(II) was added into the suspension at pH ≥ 8.0 under oxic conditions. Production of Cr(VI) was attributed to Cr(OH)3(s) oxidation by a newly formed Mn oxide via Mn(II) oxidation catalyzed on Cr(OH)3(s) surface. XANES results indicated that this surface-catalyzed Mn(II) oxidation produced a mixed valence Mn(III/IV) solid phase. Our results suggest that toxic Cr(VI) can be naturally produced via Cr(OH)3(s) oxidation coupled with the oxidation of dissolved Mn(II). In addition, this study evokes the potential environmental hazard of sparingly soluble Cr(OH)3(s), which has been considered the most common and a stable remediation product of Cr(VI) contamination.

Catalytic oxidation of manganese(II) by multicopper oxidase CueO and characterization of the biogenic Mn oxide

Manganese(II) contamination is naturally occurring in many groundwater and surface water sources. Moreover, industrial wastewater is also responsible for much of the Mn(II) contamination. Nowadays, Mn(II) contamination has become a serious environmental problem in some regions of the world. To explore a biological approach for removing excessive amounts of aqueous Mn(II) from water, we found a new biocatalyst multicopper oxidase CueO, which was firstly proved to catalyze the oxidation of Mn(II) both in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently, we established a CueO-mediated catalysis system to prepare biogenic Mn oxide (BioMnOx), which was confirmed to be γ-Mn3O4 by X-ray diffraction. This newly prepared BioMnOx consisted of 53.6% Mn(II), 18.4% Mn(III) and 28.0% Mn(IV) characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It exhibited distinct polyhedral structure with nanoparticles of 150-350 nm diameters observed by transmission electron microscopy. Importantly, CueO could remove 35.7% of Mn(II) after a seven-day reaction, and on the other hand, the cueO-overexpressing Escherichia coli strain (ECueO) could also oxidize 58.1% dissolved Mn(II), and simultaneously remove 97.7% Mn(II). Based on these results, we suggest that ECueO strain and CueO enzyme have potential applications on Mn(II) decontamination in water treatment.

Sorption behavior of heavy metals on poorly crystalline manganese oxides: roles of water conditions and light

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of solution properties and light on the metal uptake and release in a nanosized, poorly crystalline manganese oxide (δ-MnO2) system. The results from synthetic water matrices revealed that the aggregation state was strongly affected by ionic strength, Ca(2+), and humic acid, and the particle aggregation subsequently changed the ability of δ-MnO2 to adsorb and sequester heavy metal ions (Cu(ii)). The extent of Cu(ii) uptake onto δ-MnO2 exhibited a negative correlation with the attachment efficiency value, which suggested that a lower sorption capacity could be achieved under aggregation-inducing conditions. Upon exposure to light, the adsorbed Cu(ii) was released from the δ-MnO2 surface via photoinduced dissolution of MnO2. The concentration of Cu(ii) desorbed was substantially higher when the humic acid was present together with Ca(2+). The present investigation enables us to better understand the adsorption-desorption processes of heavy metals occurring at the MnO2-solution interface in response to common environmental stimuli.

A critical review of the reactivity of manganese oxides with organic contaminants

Naturally occurring manganese (Mn(iii/iv)) oxides are ubiquitous in a wide range of environmental settings and play a key role in numerous biogeochemical cycles. In addition, Mn(iii/iv) oxides are powerful oxidants that are capable of oxidizing a wide range of compounds. This review critically assesses the reactivity of Mn oxides with organic contaminants. Initial work with organic reductants employed high concentrations of model compounds (e.g., substituted phenols and anilines) and emphasized the reductive dissolution of the Mn oxides. Studies with lower concentrations of organic contaminants demonstrate that Mn oxides are capable of oxidizing a wide range of compounds (e.g., antibacterial agents, endocrine disruptors, and pesticides). Both model compounds and organic contaminants undergo similar reaction mechanisms on the oxide surface. The oxidation rates of organic compounds by manganese oxides are dependent upon solution conditions, such as pH and the presence of cations, anions, or dissolved organic matter. Similarly, physicochemical properties of the minerals used affect the rates of organic compound oxidation, which increase with the average oxidation state, redox potential, and specific surface area of the Mn oxides. Due to their reactivity with contaminants under environmentally relevant conditions, Mn oxides may oxidize contaminants in soils and/or be applied in water treatment applications.

Influence of pH on the reductive transformation of birnessite by aqueous Mn(II)

We investigated the effect of pH (5.5-8.5) on the mineralogical transformation of hexagonal birnessite induced by reaction with aqueous Mn(II) (50-2200 μM), using batch sorption experiments, X-ray diffraction analyses, X-ray absorption and infrared spectroscopic measurements. Samples reacted at pH < 7.0 exhibited disrupted stacking of birnessite sheets, but no mineralogical transformation products were observed. At pH 7.0 and 7.5, reaction with Mn(II) under anoxic conditions caused reductive transformation of birnessite into manganite (γ-MnOOH), whereas at pH 8.0 and 8.5, conversion into hausmannite (Mn3O4) occurred. Feitknechtite (β-MnOOH) is a major transformation product at low Mn(II) inputs at pH 7.0-8.5, and represents a metastable reaction intermediate that is converted into manganite and possibly hausmannite during further reaction with Mn(II). Thermodynamic calculations suggest that conversion into hausmannite at alkaline pH reflects a kinetic effect where rapid hausmannite precipitation prevents formation of thermodynamically more favorable manganite. In oxic systems, feitknechtite formation due to surface catalyzed oxidation of Mn(II) by O2 increases Mn(II) removal relative to anoxic systems at pH ≥ 7. The results of this study suggest that aqueous Mn(II) is an important control on the mineralogy and reactivity of natural Mn-oxides, particularly in aqueous geochemical environments with neutral to alkaline pH values.

Pb and Cd binding to natural freshwater biofilms developed at different pH: the important role of culture pH

The effects of solution pH on adsorption of trace metals to different types of natural aquatic solid materials have been studied extensively, but few studies have been carried out to investigate the effect of pH at which the solid materials were formed on the adsorption. The purpose of present study is to examine this effect of culture pH on metal adsorption to natural freshwater biofilms. The adsorption of Pb and Cd to biofilms which were developed at different culture pH values (ranging from 6.5 to 9.0) was measured at the same adsorption pH value (6.5). The culture pH had considerable effects on both composition and metal adsorption ability of the biofilms. Higher culture pH usually promoted the accumulation of organic material and Fe oxides in the biofilms. The culture pH also affected the quantity and species of algae in the biofilms. The adsorption of Pb and Cd to the biofilms generally increased with the increase of culture pH. This increase was minor at lower pH range and significant at higher pH range and was more remarkable for Cd adsorption than for Pb adsorption. The notable contribution of organic material to the adsorption at higher culture pH values was also observed. The profound impacts of culture pH on adsorption behavior of biofilms mainly resulted from the variation of total contents of the biofilm components and were also affected by the alteration of composition and properties of the components.

Controls on Fe(II)-activated trace element release from goethite and hematite

Electron transfer and atom exchange (ETAE) between aqueous Fe(II) and Fe(III) oxides induces surface growth and dissolution that affects trace element fate and transport. We have recently demonstrated Ni(II) cycling through goethite and hematite (adsorbed Ni incorporates into the mineral structure and preincorporated Ni releases to solution) during Fe(II)-Fe(III) ETAE. However, the chemical parameters affecting net trace element release remain unknown. Here, we examine the chemical controls on Ni(II) and Zn(II) release from Ni- and Zn-substituted goethite and hematite during reaction with Fe(II). Release follows a rate law consistent with surface reaction limited mineral dissolution and suggests that release occurs near sites of Fe(III) reductive dissolution during Fe(II)-Fe(III) ETAE. Metal substituent type affects reactivity; Zn release is more pronounced from hematite than goethite, whereas the opposite trend occurs for Ni. Buildup of Ni or Zn in solution inhibits further release but this resumes upon fluid exchange, suggesting that sustained release is possible under flow conditions. Mineral and aqueous Fe(II) concentrations as well as pH strongly affect sorbed Fe(II) concentrations, which directly control the reaction rates and final metal concentrations. Our results demonstrate that structurally incorporated trace elements are mobilized from iron oxides into fluids without abiotic or microbial net iron reduction. Such release may affect micronutrient availability, contaminant transport, and the distribution of redox-inactive trace elements in natural and engineered systems.

Reductive transformation of birnessite by aqueous Mn(II)

Reaction of aqueous Mn(II) with hexagonal birnessite at pH 7.5 causes reductive transformation of birnessite into feitknechtite (β-Mn(III)OOH) and manganite (γ-Mn(III)OOH) through interfacial electron transfer from adsorbed Mn(II) to structural Mn(IV) atoms and arrangement of product Mn(III) into MnOOH, summarized by Mn(II) + Mn(IV)O(2) + 2 H(2)O → 2 Mn(III)OOH + 2 H(+). Feitknechtite is the initial transformation product, and subsequently converted into the more stable manganite polymorph during ongoing reaction with Mn(II). Feitknechtite production is observed at Mn(II) concentrations 2 orders of magnitude below thermodynamic thresholds, reflecting uncertainty in thermodynamic data of Mn-oxide minerals and/or specific interactions between Mn(II) and birnessite surface sites facilitating electron exchange. Under oxic conditions, feitknechtite formation through surface-catalyzed oxidation of Mn(II) by O(2) leads to additional Mn(II) removal from solution relative to anoxic systems. These results indicate that Mn(II) may be an important moderator of the reductive arm of Mn-oxide redox cycling, and suggest a controlling role of Mn(II) in regulating the solubility and speciation of phyllomanganate-reactive metal pollutants including Co, Ni, As, and Cr in geochemical environments.

Arsenite oxidation by a poorly crystalline manganese-oxide. 2. Results from X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

Arsenite (As(III)) oxidation by manganese oxides (Mn-oxides) serves to detoxify and, under many conditions, immobilize arsenic (As) by forming arsenate (As(V)). As(III) oxidation by Mn(IV)-oxides can be quite complex, involving many simultaneous forward reactions and subsequent back reactions. During As(III) oxidation by Mn-oxides, a reduction in oxidation rate is often observed, which is attributed to Mn-oxide surface passivation. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data show that Mn(II) sorption on a poorly crystalline hexagonal birnessite (δ-MnO₂) is important in passivation early during reaction with As(III). Also, it appears that Mn(III) in the δ-MnO₂ structure is formed by conproportionation of sorbed Mn(II) and Mn(IV) in the mineral structure. The content of Mn(III) within the δ-MnO₂ structure appears to increase as the reaction proceeds. Binding of As(V) to δ-MnO₂ also changes as Mn(III) becomes more prominent in the δ-MnO ₂ structure. The data presented indicate that As(III) oxidation and As(V) sorption by poorly crystalline δ-MnO₂ is greatly affected by Mn oxidation state in the δ-MnO₂ structure.