National Pollutant Inventory

Substances

Manganese & compounds: Sources of emissions

Industry sources

Problems with air pollution can arise during the mining, crushing, and smelting of ores, during steel production, and from battery factories.

Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data

Some agricultural and gardening applications may use products containing manganese. Some hazardous waste sites may leach manganese.

Natural sources

Manganese is a naturally occurring element, although it is not naturally found in the metallic form. The earth's crust contains approximately 0.1 % manganese on average, with low levels present in lakes, streams, and the ocean. Nodules containing manganese oxides have been found on the seabed of the Pacific. More than 100 manganese minerals are known, including sulfides, oxides, carbonates, silicates, phosphates, and borates. The most important manganese mineral is native manganese dioxide (pyrolusite). Manganese ores very often occur together with iron ores.

Transport sources

Mobile sources are normally not associated with emissions of manganese.

Consumer products

Alkaline and dry cell batteries, some vitamin/mineral dietary supplements, some fertilisers, some disinfectants, some porcelain and ceramic goods. Some drinking water supplies may contain small amounts of manganese.

Key

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Factory. Credit: Michael Lindquist