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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.

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.

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