Sublethal nickel toxicity shuts off manganese oxidation and pellicle biofilm formation in Pseudomonas putida GB-1.

In sediments, the bioavailability and toxicity of Ni are strongly influenced by its sorption to manganese (Mn) oxides, which largely originate from the redox metabolism of microbes. However, microbes are concurrently susceptible to the toxic effects of Ni, which establishes complex interactions between toxicity and redox processes. This study measured the effect of Ni on growth, pellicle biofilm formation and oxidation of the Mn-oxidizing bacteria Pseudomonas putida GB-1.