[Formation and reactions of biogenic manganese oxides with heavy metals in environment].

Manganese (Mn) oxides are common minerals in natural environments that may play an important role in the biogeochemical cycles of heavy metals. Increasing evidences have shown that Mn (II) oxidation is a microbially-mediated process, and the Mn oxidizing microorganisms are thus recognized as the major drivers of the global Mn cycle. The major pathway for bacterial Mn (II) oxidation is catalysed by a multicopper oxidizing enzyme family. The primary Mn (IV) biooxides are phyllomanganate-like minerals most similar to delta-MnO2 or acid birnessite. Manganese oxides are known to have high sorption capacities for a wide variety of metal ions and considered to be the important environmental oxidant to many metal ions. This paper reviewed the mechanisms of biogenic manganese oxides formation and their reactions with heavy metal ions in environment.

Biogenic Mn oxides for effective adsorption of Cd from aquatic environment.

Biogenic Mn oxides exert important controls on trace metal cycling in aquatic and soil environments. A Mn-oxidizing bacterium Bacillus sp. WH4 was isolated from Fe-Mn nodules of an agrudalf in central China. The biogenic Mn oxides formed by mediation of this Mn oxidizing microorganism were identified as short-ranged and nano-sized Mn oxides. Cd adsorption isotherms, pH effect on adsorption and kinetics were investigated in comparison with an abiotic Mn oxide todorokite. Maximum adsorption of Cd to the biogenic Mn oxides and todorokite was 2.04 and 0.69 mmol g(-1) sorbent, respectively. Thus, the biogenic Mn oxides were more effective Cd adsorbents than the abiotic Mn oxide in the aquatic environment. The findings could improve our knowledge of biogenic Mn oxides formation in the environment and their important roles in the biogeochemical cycles of heavy metals.

[Kinetic of pH control in anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste in a batch reactor].

Using a material and ionization balance analysis of anaerobic digestion process, a kinetic model of pH control in a batch anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste was established on the basis of substrate decay and microbial growth kinetics, and a corresponding computer soft ware was created. The optimal pH in different anaerobic digestion can be predicted by this model. Consequently the maximal methane production can be obtained in anaerobic system by controlling the pH in optimal value. Comparative experiments were conducted to validate the model. The experiments demonstrated that the methane production of anaerobic system under optimal pH was steadier than the same condition under uncontrolled pH, and the cumulative methane production had an average increment about 20%.