Scientists end the 'century-long' search for microbe that eats metal

Scientists say a century-long search for a bacteria that feeds on manganese – a hard, brittle metal – has come to an end. Researchers believe the newfound bacteria had likely come from the local drinking water itself, as similar manganese oxide deposits are often found in drinking-water-distribution systems. Images are scanning electron micrographs with false colorisation 'These are the first bacteria found to use manganese as their source of fuel,' said Jared Leadbetter, professor of environmental microbiology at California Institute of Technology. Close-up of a manganese oxide nodule generated by the bacteria discovered by the Caltech team Manganese, a hard, brittle, silvery metal, in a raw state. b–e, Microscopy of manganese oxide nodules The black coating was oxidised manganese generated by the newly-found bacteria that had likely come from the tap water itself.