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Manganese Oxidation

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Encyclopedia of Astrobiology

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Chemical Formula

Mn, MnO2

Definition

Manganese (Mn) is a transition metal present at trace levels in the modern ocean where it cycles between three oxidation states, +2, +3, and +4. Mn is a cofactor in enzymes critical for life, including the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II involved in oxygenic photosynthesis and superoxide dismutase (SOD) that degrades oxygen radicals responsible for oxidative stress. Mn(IV) forms a suite of Mn oxide minerals found within marine ferromanganese crusts and nodules that scavenge trace metals and record paleoredox conditions throughout Earth’s history. Mn oxides form within a wide range of environments, including deserts, and on Mars as rock varnish and crusts.

Overview

Manganese (Mn) oxides are widespread on Earth, occurring as particles or grain coatings, rock varnish, cave deposits, and ferromanganese crusts and nodules. Rocks and sediments enriched in Mn oxides have been observed on Mars (Lanza et al. 2014) and in early Earth strata (Crerar...

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References and Further Reading

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA

    Colleen M. Hansel

Authors
  1. Colleen M. Hansel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Colleen M. Hansel .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Labo. d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB), Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers (OASU), Floirac CX, France

    Muriel Gargaud

  2. Astronomy Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA

    William M. Irvine

  3. Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Ricardo Amils

  4. Geophysical Lab., Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC, USA

    Henderson James Cleaves

  5. Dépt. Sc. de la Terre et de l’Atmosphère, Université du Québec, Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Daniele Pinti

  6. Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), Inst. Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain

    José Cernicharo Quintanilla

  7. Centre National d'Etudes Spatiale (CNES) DPI/E2U, Paris CX, France

    Michel Viso

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Hansel, C.M. (2020). Manganese Oxidation. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_5403-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_5403-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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