Manganese Manganese, an element closely related to iron, can also cause the problems described above. Stains are usually darker in color, but treatment options are generally the same as those used against iron. Manganese is not as common as iron, however, so problems with it do not occur as frequently or severely. Because it is a weak acid, hydrogen sulfide can also promote corrosion. And its presence in the air causes silver to tarnish in seconds.
High concentrations are flammable and can be poisonous.
Traditionally, hydrogen sulfide was removed by first converting it into elemental sulfur, a yellowish powder that could be removed with filters. The process works similarly to that which was used to filter iron from water. First, aeration or chlorination oxidized the contaminant. The oxygen or chlorine reacted with the hydrogen sulfide to produce sulfur, which was then removed with an automatic backwashing filter . Newer technologies utilize specialized sulfur removal media in a single, complete system to eliminate hydrogen sulfide in one step.