Review article

The article substantiates the ability of collection strains of aerobic bacteria of various species and genera to use variable-valence chemical elements as terminal electron acceptors. It has been established that reduction of Cr (VI) and Mn (IV) can be effected by non-nitrate reducing bacteria, including those that are obligate-aerobic. It is suggested that the biochemical oxidation-reduction reactions are subject to the electrochemical regularities of reduction. At first, those variable-valence elements are restored, in which the value of the standard reduction potential (E0) is higher.