Metallogenium

[gjones]

A bacteria from a reservoir in the Rocky Mountains.
A particular genus of bacteria, known
historically as Metallogenium, can form starshaped
manganese oxide minerals (called metallogenium)
through the action of manganese
oxide precipitation along its surface.

From MANGANESE, METALLOGENIUM, AND MARTIAN MICROFOSSILS. L.Y. Stein and
K.H. Nealson, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 183-301, Pasadena, CA
91109, steinl@gps.caltech.edu.

A Nikon Optiphot using Hoffman Modulation Contrast

[Mitch640]

Very nice. I have wondered about living organisims that can produce metals. I think I might have had gold in mind though. Wouldn't that be something? LOL

[rjlittlefield]

I think I might have had gold in mind though. Wouldn't that be something?

That's no longer as outlandish as it would have seemed once upon a time. See http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/trek/4wd/Over44.htm.

Grant, nice image! Are these critters, or something similar, involved in the famous manganese nodules on the ocean floor? Or are those solely chemistry?

--Rik

[Craig Gerard]

Grant,

This must be one of the first Hoffman Modulation Contrast images I have seen on PMN.

Intriguing topic, even more so with the addition of Mitch's contemplation and after reading the contents of the link Rik posted.

Craig

[gjones]

[gjones]

I forgot the text.

There is not very much on the life cycle of these organisms because they are hard to culture and when they are cultured they might not look like they do in the environment. This photo was taken from a raw water sample at a water treatment plant along the front range of the Rockies. At times these bacteria can make up to 35% of all particles > 5 microns in the raw water. Another Mn bacteria present is Plantomyces.

[René]

Ah, that's the one I always come across! Thanks for the text.

Rene