Manganese

By John Emsley2013-11-06T00:00:00

Source: © Shutterstock

John Emsley looks at the element that has been essential to humanity since before the stone age

Manganese was used long before it was isolated as an element. The ore pyrolusite (manganese dioxide) was used 30,000 years ago as the black pigment in the cave paintings of Lascaux, France. The glassmakers of ancient Rome used it to neutralise the pale greenish tint of natural glass, caused by traces of iron. Today manganese is a key component of toughened steel.

Manganese: essential for life, found in shark's teeth and an aid to gargling. John Elmsley explores this intruiging element.

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