Manganese

Manganese is a chemical element, designated by the symbol Mn. It has the atomic number 25. It is found as a free element in nature (often in combination with iron), and in many minerals. As a free element, manganese is a metal with important industrial metal alloy uses, particularly in stainless steels.

History of Manganese The origin of the name manganese is complex. In ancient times, two black minerals from Magnesia in what is now modern Greece were both called magnes, but were thought to differ in gender. The male magnes attracted iron, and was the iron ore we now know as lodestone or magnetite, and which probably gave us the term magnet. The female magnes ore did not attract iron, but was used to decolorize glass. This feminine magnes was later called magnesia, known now in modern times as pyrolusite or manganese dioxide. Neither this mineral nor manganese itself is magnetic. In the 16th century, manganese dioxide was called manganesum (note the two n's instead of one) by glassmakers, possibly as a corruption of two words since alchemists and glassmakers eventually had to differentiate a magnesia negra (the black ore) from magnesia alba (a white ore, also from Magnesia, also useful in glassmaking). Michele Mercati called magnesia negra Manganesa, and finally the metal isolated from it became known as manganese (German: Mangan). The name magnesia eventually was then used to refer only to the white magnesia alba (magnesium oxide), which provided the name magnesium for that free element, when it was eventually isolated, much later.

Environmental effects of manganese Manganese compounds exist naturally in the environment as solids in the soils and small particles in the water. Manganese particles in air are present in dust particles. These usually settle to earth within a few days. Humans enhance manganese concentrations in the air by industrial activities and through burning fossil fuels. Manganese that derives from human sources can also enter surface water, groundwater and sewage water. Through the application of manganese pesticides, manganese will enter soils. For some animals the lethal dose is quite low, which means they have little chance to survive even smaller doses of manganese when these exceed the essential dose. Manganese substances can cause lung, liver and vascular disturbances, declines in blood pressure, failure in development of animal foetuses and brain damage. In plants manganese ions are transported to the leaves after uptake from soils. When too little manganese can be absorbed from the soil this causes disturbances in plant mechanisms. For instance disturbance of the division of water to hydrogen and oxygen, in which manganese plays an important part.

History of Manganese (the year type) 1771-Manganese recognized as an element by Swedish chemist Scheele 1774-First isolated by J.G. Gahn. 1799-patents granted in U.K. for using manganese in steelmaking 1808-Patents granted in U.k. for using manganese in steelmaking 1816-A German researcher observed that manganese increased the hardness of iron, without reducing its malleability or toughness. 1826-Prieger in Germany produced a ferromanganese containing 80% manganese in a crucible. 1840-J.M. Heath produced metallic manganese in England. 1841-Industrial-scale production of "spiegeleisen", a pig-iron containing a high percentage of manganese began. 1875-Commercial production of ferromanganese with a 65% manganese content. started 1860-Beginning of modern steel industry. 1868-Invention of dry cell using manganese dioxide

Facts About manganese Plays central role in blood clotting Helpful in milk manufacturing for nursing mothers Helps eliminate fatigue Aids in good muscle reflexes Improves the memory Reduces nervous irritability Improves weakness by stimulating transmission impulses between the nerves and muscles Aids proper food metaboliazation and proper thyroid functioning (thus weight loss assistance) Helps with good digestion The Discoverer of the Manganese element was Johann Gahn in 1774

Uses of Manganese Manganese is used most commonly in steel production to help improve strength, durability, and toughness. It can be used in medicine to help support the immune system, regulate your blood sugar, and maintain bone regulation and reproduction. It is also used in gasoline to reduce engine knock, and is used in alkaline batteries.

Other uses of Manganese

Health and Biology Uses In humans, a manganese deficiency causes defective ovulation and ovarian degeneration in females and testicular degeneration in males. Increased infant mortality occurs when the mother lacks manganese during pregnancy. The use of manganese in the personal health of humans and in medicine today is still as important as ever. Although many people may be wary of the importance to consume important minerals along with vitamins, many are not too familiar with the importance of the consumption of Manganese in the human diet. The existence of Manganese in the body is vital to processes on the cellular level. Without it, enzymes that are vital to life are disrupted and can cause complications in health. For example, manganese aids in the formation of connective tissue in our bodies, without it or with minimal amounts, ligaments and muscles for example are less flexible and injuries can occur more readily. However, if too much manganese is consumed then health problems such as weakness, drowsiness and even paralysis may occur.  Luckily, consuming too much manganese is very rare and usually occurs to those working in mines or factories that may inhale manganese dust.

SAFETY precautions Manganese compounds are less toxic than those of other widespread metals such as nickel and copper. However, exposure to manganese dusts and fumes should not exceed the ceiling value of 5 mg/m3 even for short periods because of its toxicity level. Manganese poisoning has been linked to impaired motor skills and cognitive disorders.

Conclusion Manganese, Coal and Phosphates are all quite the same, there achieved by the process of mining, they devastate our landforms, they destroy the ozone layer, for short…. bad for our mother earth (why do they call it mother earth? Why not father?.... Just a silly joke…).But all of these are used to make our lives better….