Removal of Mn(II) by a nitrifying bacterium Acinetobacter sp. AL-6: efficiency and mechanisms

A nitrifying bacterium Acinetobacter sp. AL-6 showed a high efficiency of 99.05% for Mn(II) removal within 144 h when the Mn(II) concentration was 200 mg L-1; meanwhile, 64.23% of NH4+-N was removed. With the Mn(II) concentration increased from 25 to 300 mg L-1, bacterial growth and Mn(II) removal were stimulated. However, due to the electron acceptor competition between Mn(II) oxidation and nitrification reactions, the increase in NH4+-N concentration would inhibit Mn(II) removal. By measuring Mn metabolic form and locating oxidative active factors, it was proved that extracellular oxidation effect played a dominant role in the removal process of Mn(II). The self-regulation of pH during strain metabolism further promoted the occurrence of biological Mn oxidation. Characterization results showed that the Mn oxidation products were tightly attached to the surface of the bacteria in the form of flakes. The product crystal composition (mainly MnO2 and Mn2O3), Mn-O functional group, and element level fluctuations confirmed the biological oxidation information. The changes of -OH, N-H, and -CH2 groups and the appearance of new functional groups (such as C-H and C-O) provided more possibilities for Mn ion adsorption and bonding.