Simultaneous Oxidation of Bromide and Dissolution of Manganese Oxide Induced by Freezing

This study demonstrates that the oxidation of bromide by birnessite (δ-MnO₂) results in the concurrent production of soluble manganese (Mn(II)) and reactive bromine (RBr) species in frozen solutions, a process not observed in aqueous solutions. This enhanced oxidation in ice is attributed to the concentration of protons, birnessite, or bromide in the ice grain boundary region. Furthermore, different types of commercial manganese oxides can also oxidize bromide to RBr and release Mn(II) in ice. The presence of fulvic acid (FA) further increases the simultaneous production of RBr and Mn(II) in ice, accompanying the formation of organobromine compounds (OBCs). In frozen δ-MnO₂/Br^–/FA system, a significant increase in OBCs, mainly highly unsaturated and phenolic compounds, was detected using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. A marked contrast was observed in the number of OBCs formed in frozen solutions (853 and 415 OBCs at initial pH 3.0 and 5.8, respectively) compared to their aqueous counterparts (11 and 23 OBCs). These findings introduce a new pathway for the formation of RBr, Mn(II), and OBCs in ice, highlighting the need for further research on the environmental fate of bromide and manganese.