Singular Effect of Carbon Fiber on the Oxidation of Dissolved Mn(II) Ions by a Fungus Genetically Related to Phoma sp.

Abstract

Oxidation of Mn(II) ions in model drainages by a fungus genetically related to Phoma sp. was carried out in the presence of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber, pitch-based carbon fibers formed at different heat treatment temperatures, and bamboo charcoal, aiming to understand the morphological effect of carbon materials on the microbiological activity of the manganese-oxidizing fungus. From the experimental results obtained so far, it was reasonably concluded that only carbon fiber accelerates the oxidation of dissolved Mn(II) ions by this fungus. When the carbon fiber shortened below certain length, the promoting effect was lost. The results strongly suggest that the shape of carbon, specifically the fibrous shape having flexibility, is a crucial factor in the promoting effect on the manganese oxidation by the present fungus.