Manganese is a chemical element with symbol Mn and atomic number 25. It is not found as a free element in nature; it is often found in combination with iron, and in many minerals. Manganese is a metal with important industrial metal alloy uses, particularly in stainless steels.
Three reasons Manganese stands out
- 1
Used in steelmaking and batteries.
- 2
Vast potato-sized nodules rich in this element litter the floor of the deep ocean.
- 3
Enzymes containing this element protect cells from the oxidative damage that causes ageing.
An essential trace with many oxidation states
Manganese helps enzymes work and strengthens many steels, especially those expected to absorb impact. Its compounds can be nearly colorless, purple, brown, or black as the oxidation state changes. Deep-ocean nodules contain enormous manganese resources, though mining them raises difficult ecological questions.