An ecophysiological explanation for manganese enrichment in rock varnish
Usha Lingappa, Chris M. Yeager, Ajay Sharma, N. Lanza, Demosthenes Morales, Gary Xie, Ashley D. Atencio, Grayson L. Chadwick, Danielle R. Monteverde, John S. Magyar, Samuel M. Webb, Joan Selverstone Valentine, Brian M. Hoffman, Woodward W. Fischer
Abstract
taxon, accumulate extraordinary amounts of intracellular manganese-over two orders of magnitude higher manganese content than other cells. The speciation of this manganese determined by advanced paramagnetic resonance techniques suggested that the Cyanobacteria use it as a catalytic antioxidant-a valuable adaptation for coping with the substantial oxidative stress present in this environment. Taken together, these results indicated that the manganese enrichment in varnish is related to its specific uptake and use by likely founding members of varnish microbial communities.