Spectromicroscopy of Mn distributions in micronodules produced by biomineralization

The interaction of single cell microorganisms with inorganic substrates is a central issue in soil and aquatic environmental chemistry. The biochemica l pathways of the bacterial metabolism based on redox reactions of transiti on metal compounds involve the processes of microbial attachment to and sub sequent modification of inorganic surfaces (biocorrosion), as well as the p recipitation of inorganic compounds (biomineralization). Soft x-ray spectro microscopy has been used to investigate Mn micronodules collected from fres hwater sediments in order to attempt the direct mapping of the distribution of Mn valence states in biologically produced minerals.