How manganese empowered life with dioxygen (and vice versa)

Area of Science:

• Biogeochemistry
• Evolutionary Biology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Abiotic factors and life co-evolve, with manganese playing a key role.
• Manganese chemistry is linked to the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis and atmospheric oxygen (O2).
• Manganese served as an early antioxidant system, aiding life's adaptation to oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the environmental dynamics of manganese.
• To explore the unique role of manganese in the history of life.
• To integrate insights from chemistry, biology, and geology.

Main Methods:

• Review of chemical properties of manganese.
• Analysis of biological roles of manganese in evolution.
• Examination of geological evidence for manganese cycling.

Main Results:

• Manganese chemistry was crucial for the origin of oxygenic photosynthesis and the rise of O2.
• Manganese provided an early antioxidant defense, enabling life to manage oxidative stress.
• The rise of O2 significantly altered manganese biogeochemical cycles, leading to new redox processes.

Conclusions:

• Manganese has played a pivotal, multifaceted role in Earth's history and the evolution of life.
• Understanding manganese dynamics is key to comprehending major biosphere transformations.
• The interplay between manganese, photosynthesis, and oxygen continues to shape our planet.