A team of researchers observed for the first time the first bacteria that are using metal manganese for growing. The newly recognized species was named as ‘Candidatus Manganitrophus noduliformans’ and Ramlibacter lithotrophicus. Environmental microbiologist Jared Leadbetter had been using a jar for working with a pink compound identified as manganese carbonate. He filled the jar with tap water and left it to soak. At his return, the scientist identified around 70 bacterial species in the jar. The reason why scientists assume that the bacteria were using manganese as fuel is that the rate of manganese oxide production is enhanced by the same rate as the bacterial population size.
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