Nanocrystalline todorokite-like manganese oxide produced by bacterial catalysis.

We describe the characterization of an unknown and difficult to identify but geochemically and environmentally significant MnOx structure produced by a freshwater bacterium, Leptothrix discophora SP-6, using combined transmission electron microscopy (TEM), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and UV Raman spectroscopy. The large surface-to-volume ratio of the needle-shaped nanocrystalline MnO2 formed around the bacterial cells coupled to the porous, zeolite-like structure has the potential to catalyze reactions and oxidize and adsorb metals.