Reduction behaviors of permanganate by microbial cells and concomitant accumulation of divalent cations of Mg, Zn+, and Co

Kato, Tomoaki* ; Yu, Q.*; Tanaka, Kazuya  ; Kozai, Naofumi   ; Saito, Takumi*; Onuki, Toshihiko

This paper investigated the fate of the dissolved permanganate in aqueous solution after contact with bacterial cells and metal accumulation during precipitation of Mn oxides. When Mn(VII) was contacted with bacterial cells, cells were damaged and Mn(VII) was reduced by cells to lower valence and precipitated as Mn oxides (biomass Mn oxides). When Co ions were present, Co was incorporated into Mn oxides as Co. These results suggest that Mn(VII) can be used to remove metal ions when introduced to wastewater as disinfectant.