Manganese
Manganese: What is it?
A naturally occurring element, manganese is one of the most abundant metals in soils. As manganese ions act as cofactors for a number of enzymes, it is an essential trace element for all forms of life. However, buildups of high concentrations lead to manganese poisoning. While manganese occurs naturally in the environment, human activities increase its concentration in the air, water, and soil, through acts such as mining and the burning of fossil fuel. This in turn puts humans and animals alike at risk for manganese poisoning.
Effects: Health
The effects of manganese arise mainly in the respiratory tract and brain. It has been linked to Parkinson disease, bronchitis, pneumonia, and lung embolism. Further, men who are exposed to manganese for long periods of time run the risk of becoming impotent. Chronic Manganese poisoning has the following symptoms and can result in permanent disability: lethargy, weakness, emotional disturbances, spastic gait, recurring leg cramps, and paralysis. Like other toxic metals, manganese posses a greater threat to children because of its tendency to bind to certain receptors found in their developing bodies.
Effects: Environment
Plants transport manganese to their leaves after absorbing it from the soil. However, high concentrations of manganese in soil leads to toxicity symptoms for plants such as swelling of cell walls, withering of leaves, and brown spots on leaves. Exsessive manganese intake affects animals in similar ways to humans, only a much smaller dose is needed to cause harm. Lung, liver and vascular disturbances, declines in blood pressure, failure in fetal development, and brain damage are some of the devastating results over exposure can lead to for both aquatic and land animals. If manganese is absorbed in access through the skin it can cause tremors and coordination failures.
The Solution
Eden Initiative has the technology, ability, and desire to eliminate manganese from our environment. Our mission is to clean manganese from abandoned mining sites within North America, and eventually, all over the world. By removing the toxin from such sites, we stop it from leeching into our watersheds and oceans, contaminating our marine life, and ultimately us.