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Form and function in manganese-oxidizing bacteria

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Summary

Stalked, budding bacteria of the genus Hyphomicrobium are shown to be responsible for manganese deposition in freshwater pipelines. The attachment of the cells to the pipe surface is considered from the point of view of electrostatic attraction and the production of holdfast material. Electrophoretic studies indicate that Hyphomicrobium cells are negatively charged and that their surface ionogenic groups are carboxylic. It is postulated that the curious morphology and mode of reproduction of hyphomicrobia accounts for their efficiency in producing, or coexisting with, the manganese oxides they produce.

Zusammenfassung

Die gestielte Bakteriengattung der Hyphomikroben wird für die Manganschlammablagerungen in Süßwasserdruckrohrleitungen verantwortlich gemacht. Die Bindung der Zellen an die Rohroberfläche soll durch elektrostatische Anziehungskraft und Bildung von Haftmaterial bewirkt werden. Die elektrophoretischen Versuche zeigen, daß die Hyphomicrobium-Zellen negativ geladen und die Ionen-Gruppen der Oberfläche Carboxyle sind. Es wird postuliert, daß die eigentümliche Morphologie und Vermehrungsweise der Hyphomikroben verantwortlich sind für ihre Fähigkeit, Manganoxyde zu bilden und mit ihnen gemeinsam zu existieren.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Tasmania, Australia

    P. A. Tyler

  2. Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia

    K. C. Marshall

Authors
  1. P. A. Tyler
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  2. K. C. Marshall
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Tyler, P.A., Marshall, K.C. Form and function in manganese-oxidizing bacteria. Archiv. Mikrobiol. 56, 344–353 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00425209

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00425209

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