Manganese Manganese is a brittle, silver-gray metallic element with the symbol Mn. The earth's crust contains much manganese and it occurs in combination with other elements, mainly in the minerals braunite, hausmannite, manganite, psilomelane, pyrolusite and rhodochrosite. All living things require small amounts of manganese. One of the most widely used compounds of manganese is manganese dioxide used in dry cell batteries, paints, dyes, photographic developer, bricks, and glass making. Manganese sulfate is used in paint and varnish dryer, and in some fertilizers.
Potassium permanganate can serve as a disinfectant and deodorizer and is used in water purification.
Manganous nitrate and manganous oxide act as catalyst in the production of petrochemicals, plastics and synthetic fibers. Lead Lead is heavy, bluish-gray element with the symbol Pb. Lead ores are produced from underground mines. Many minerals contain lead, but its principle source is galena, a gray metallic ore. Lead is used in the manufacture of lead-acid batteries used to power electrical systems of airplanes, cars and other vehicles.