Estimation of Kinetic Parameters for Bioremediation of Cr(VI) from Wastewater Using Pseudomonas taiwanensis,an Isolated Strain from Enriched Mixed Culture

An aerobic mixed culture collected in the form of activated sludge was enriched for Cr(VI) reduction. An indigenous microorganism was isolated from the enriched aerobic mixed culture and identified as Pseudomonas taiwanensis. Bioremediation studies were carried out for treating Cr(VI)-contaminated wastewater using the indigenous microorganism. The kinetic studies were carried out for initial Cr(VI) concentrations ranging from 20 to 200 mg L^?1. The maximum consumption of Cr(VI) obtained was 108.3 mg L^?1 for an initial Cr(VI) concentration of 150 mg L^?1 at a solution pH of 7.0. The effect of nutrient dosage and pH were studied to get their optimum values. The same isolated bacterial strain was also used to treat Cr(VI)-contaminated industrial wastewater collected from a local plating industry. Various growth kinetic models, such as Monod, Powell, Haldane, Luong, and Edward models, were fitted with the obtained experimental data. The obtained results for different growth kinetic models indicate that the growth kinetics of Pseudomonas taiwanensis for bioremediation of Cr(VI) can be better understood by the Luong model (R² = .913). The rate kinetic analysis was performed using zero-order and three-half-order kinetic models. The three-half-order kinetic model was found to be suitable for the present bioremediation study.     

Nonmetabolic Reduction of Cr(VI) by Bacterial Surfaces Under Nutrient-Absent Conditions

We have measured the ability of nonmetabolizing cells of the bacterial species Bacillus subtilis, Sporosarcina ureae , and Shewanella putrefaciens to reduce aqueous Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in the absence of externally supplied electron donors. Each species can remove significant amounts of Cr(VI) from solution, and the Cr(VI) reduction rate is strongly dependent on solution pH. The fastest reduction rates occur under acidic conditions, with decreasing rates with increasing pH. XANES data demonstrate that Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) occurs within the experimental systems. Control experiments indicate that the Cr removal is not a purely adsorptive process. Reduction appears to occur at the cell wall, and is not coupled to the oxidation of bacterial organic exudates. Detailed kinetic data suggest that the reduction involves at least a two-stage process, involving an initial rapid removal mechanism followed by a slower process that follows first-order reaction kinetics. Due to the prevalence of nonmetabolizing cells and cell wall fragments in soils and deeper geologic environments, our results suggest that the observed nonmetabolic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) may significantly affect the environmental distribution of Cr in bacteria-bearing systems.     

Enhanced Immobilization of Cr(VI) in Soils by the Amendment of Rice Straw Char

This study investigated the effect of rice straw char (RSC) on the immobilization of Cr(VI) in soils. The Cr(VI) sorption experiments on the RSC and RSC-amended soils were conducted using the batch method. RSC exhibited Cr(VI) reduction capacity due to its black carbon content. The addition of RSC to the soils enhanced the overall Cr(VI) immobilization of the soils, which is primarily attributed to the Cr(VI) reduction capacity of RSC. The effects of RSC amendment on the Cr(VI) sorption of the soils increased with increasing RSC content in the soils and decreased with increasing pH or anion contents in the soil solutions. After Cr(VI) was sorbed by the soils, a portion of the Cr(VI) was converted to Cr(III) and the remainder was sorbed onto the soils. The presence of RSC in the soils decreased the portion of sorbed Cr(VI) in the soils and therefore lowered the potential remobilization of Cr(VI) from the soils. The results suggested that RSC amendment can be applied to develop a cost-effective method for immobilizing Cr(VI) in polluted soils, thus lowering the environmental risk from Cr(VI) toxicity.     

Exogenously applied sulphate as a tool to investigate transport and reduction of chromate in the duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza

The accumulation of chromium in Spirodela polyrhiza was investigated in the presence and absence of exogenously applied sulphate. Precultivation (10 d) at minimum sulphate concentration (0.013 m m versus 1 m m in controls) enhanced the rate of chromium accumulation. This effect was caused by the increased number of sulphate transporters which transport chromate into cells. Chromate and sulphate compete for the available sulphate transporters. The kinetics of reduction Cr(VI)→Cr(V) was investigated by l -band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The kinetic model developed previously (Appenroth et al., Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 78, 235–242, 2000) was refined and extended to include chromate transport and reduction in the presence of competing ions. The following conclusions were drawn from the fitting procedure: without simultaneously applied sulphate, the rate constant of Cr(VI) transport from apoplast into plant cells and the rate constant of Cr(VI) to Cr(V) reduction within the apoplast are comparable (7.0 versus 5.7 h⁻¹) demonstrating that these two processes are competing. Moreover, the rate constant of reduction Cr(V)→Cr(III) is much lower within cells than in apoplast (0.39 versus 7.0 h⁻¹) showing that Cr(V) is stabilized in the symplast. The rate of transport of Cr(VI) into plant cells is at least one order of magnitude higher than that of Cr(V) or Cr(III). The treatment with sulphate (10 m m ) decreases the rate constant of the transport of Cr(VI) into cells (2.0 h⁻¹) confirming the competition of chromate and sulphate for the same transporters. Simultaneously, the rate constant of Cr(V)→Cr(III) reduction is increased in the apoplast (by the factor of 3) and decreased in the symplast (by the factor of 5). Treatment with higher sulphate concentrations (100 m m ) increases the accumulation of chromium by enhancing the rate constant of Cr(VI) transport into cells leaving other processes essentially unchanged. We suggest that 100 m m sulphate opens a new pathway for chromate transport into cells.     

Biosorption of Cr(VI) by Ceratocystis paradoxa MSR2 Using Isotherm Modelling,Kinetic Study and Optimization of Batch Parameters Using Response Surface Methodology

This study is focused on the possible use of Ceratocystis paradoxa MSR2 native biomass for Cr(VI) biosorption. The influence of experimental parameters such as initial pH, temperature, biomass dosage, initial Cr(VI) concentration and contact time were optimized using batch systems as well as response surface methodology (RSM). Maximum Cr(VI) removal of 68.72% was achieved, at an optimal condition of biomass dosage 2g L⁻¹, initial Cr(VI) concentration of 62.5 mg L⁻¹ and contact time of 60 min. The closeness of the experimental and the predicted values exhibit the success of RSM. The biosorption mechanism of MSR2 biosorbent was well described by Langmuir isotherm and a pseudo second order kinetic model, with a high regression coefficient. The thermodynamic study also revealed the spontaneity and exothermic nature of the process. The surface characterization using FT-IR analysis revealed the involvement of amine, carbonyl and carboxyl groups in the biosorption process. Additionally, desorption efficiency of 92% was found with 0.1 M HNO₃. The Cr(VI) removal efficiency, increased with increase in metal ion concentration, biomass concentration, temperature but with a decrease in pH. The size of the MSR2 biosorbent material was found to be 80 μm using particle size analyzer. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) visualizes the distribution of Cr(VI) on the biosorbent binding sites with alterations in the MSR2 surface structure. The SEM-EDAX analysis was also used to evaluate the binding characteristics of MSR2 strain with Cr(VI) metals. The mechanism of Cr(VI) removal of MSR2 biomass has also been proposed.     

Modeling hexavalent chromium removal in a Bacillus sp. fixed-film bioreactor

A one-dimensional diffusion-reaction model was developed to simulate Cr(VI) reduction in a Bacillus sp. pure culture biofilm reactor with glucose as a sole supplied carbon and energy source. Substrate utilization and Cr(VI) reduction in the biofilm was best represented by a system of (second-order) partial differential equations (PDEs). The PDE system was solved by the (fourth-order) Runge-Kutta method adjusted for mass transport resistance using the (second-order) Crank-Nicholson and Backward Euler finite difference methods. A heuristic procedure (genetic search algorithm) was used to find global optimum values of Cr(VI) reduction and substrate utilization rate kinetic parameters. The fixed-film bioreactor system yielded higher values of the maximum specific Cr(VI) reduction rate coefficient and Cr(VI) reduction capacity (kmc = 0.062 1/h, and Rc = 0.13 mg/mg, respectively) than previously determined in batch reactors (kmc = 0.022 1/h and Rc = 0.012 mg/mg). The model predicted effluent Cr(VI) concentration well with 98.9% confidence (sigmay2 = 2.37 mg2/L2, N = 119) and effluent glucose with 96.4 % confidence (sigmay(w)2 = 5402 mg2/L2, N = 121, w = 100) over a wide range of Cr(VI) loadings (10-498 mg Cr(VI)/L/d).     

隐藏嗜酸菌Acidiphilium cryptum XTS的Cr(VI)还原特性及相关基因的差异表达

【目的】考察p H值、初始Cr（VI）浓度、Fe（III）的加入及氧气含量对隐藏嗜酸菌Acidiphilium cryptum XTS还原Cr（VI）的影响及其六价铬还原相关基因在不同培养条件下的差异表达。【方法】采用正交试验法L9（34）优选Cr（VI）还原最适条件;根据模式菌A.cryptum JF-5同源功能基因序列设计引物,对菌株XTS中的六价铬还原相关基因Acry₂099在不同培养条件下的基因差异表达进行分析。【结果】p H为2.9,初始Cr（VI）浓度为80 mg/L,Fe（III）浓度为100 mg/L的条件是该菌株还原Cr（VI）的最优化配合比,在该条件下处理24 h,Cr（VI）的还原率达到67.48%;从菌株XTS中成功克隆了Acry₂099基因,其序列与模式菌A.cryptum JF-5的同源功能基因序列一致性达到了99.7%;在不同p H值、初始Cr（VI）浓度及氧气含量下Acry₂099基因表达上调情况与Cr（VI）还原速率呈一致趋势,证明Acry₂099很可能参与还原Cr（VI）的代谢途径。虽然加入Fe（III）能促进Cr（VI）的还原,但是铁的加入对Acry₂099基因表达水平没有显著的影响。【结论】A.cryptum XTS对Cr（VI）的还原与p H值、初始Cr（VI）浓度、Fe（III）的存在等因素有关,较低的p H和较高的初始Cr（VI）浓度对该菌还原Cr（VI）具有促进作用。     

Using the Selective Ion Exchange Resin Extraction and XANES Methods to Evaluate the Effect of Compost Amendments on Soil Chromium(VI) Phytotoxicity

The Cu-saturated selective ion exchange resin (DOWEX M4195) extraction method was used to investigate the effects of two amendments, 5 and 15% organic matter in the form of hog-dung compost (HC) or cattle-dung compost (CC), on Cr(VI) bioavailability in three soils spiked with various levels of Cr(VI). The results showed that addition of composts could decrease the amounts of resin-extractable Cr(VI) in Cr(VI)-spiked soils, and the CC amendment decreased resin-extractable Cr(VI) more than the HC amendment. The X-ray Absorption Near-edge Structure spectroscopy (XANES) method was used to examine the distribution of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) species in Cr(VI)-spiked soils that were affected by compost amendments, and to elucidate the mechanisms for the decrease of resin-extractable Cr(VI) due to the application of composts. The XANES results suggested that the decrease in the amounts of resin-extractable Cr(VI) after compost addition was mainly due to the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The amounts of soil resin-extractable Cr(VI) were also correlated with wheat seedling growth in order to evaluate the effect of compost amendments on decreasing the phytotoxicity of soil Cr(VI). The results showed that there was a sigmoidal relationship between soil resin-extractable Cr(VI) and the plant height of wheat seedlings and the obtained effective concentrations of resin-extractable Cr(VI) resulting in 10 and 50% growth inhibition (EC₁₀ and EC₅₀) were 76 and 191 mg kg⁻¹ respectively. The above results suggested that the resin extraction method was a useful tool for assessing Cr(VI) phytotoxicity and that addition of composts would enhance Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) in soils and thus relieve Cr(VI) phytotoxicity.     

Kinetic and Equilibrium Studies of Cr(VI) Biosorption by Dead <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus licheniformis</Emphasis> Biomass

Many studies have been carried out on the biosorption capacity of different kinds of biomass. However, reports on the kinetic and equilibrium study of the biosorption process are limited. In our experiments, the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution was investigated in a batch system by sorption on the dead cells of Bacillus licheniformis isolated from metal-polluted soils. Equilibrium and kinetic experiments were performed at various initial metal concentrations, pH, contact time, and temperatures. The biomass exhibited the highest Cr(VI) uptake capacity at 50°C, pH 2.5 and with the initial Cr(VI) concentration of 300 mg/g. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were considered to identify the isotherm that could better describe the equilibrium adsorption of Cr(VI) onto biomass. The Langmuir model fitted our experimental data better than the Freundlich model. The suitability of the pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order kinetic models for the sorption of Cr(VI) onto Bacillus licheniformis was also discussed. It is better to apply the pseudo second-kinetic model to describe the sorption system.     

Assessment of Phytotoxicity of Chromium in Flooded Soils using Embedded Selective Ion Exchange Resin Method

Chromium present in the forms of Cr(VI) or Cr(III) in soils. Since the toxicity and mobility of Cr(VI) are higher than those of Cr(III), it would be important to estimate soil Cr(VI) accurately in order to assess the phytotoxicity of Cr. Soil redox potential can influence the distribution of Cr between Cr(VI) and Cr(III) forms, and thus an in situ method which is not affected by the soil redox condition is needed for determining Cr(VI) availability in paddy fields. In this study, the Cu-saturated selective ion exchange resin (DOWEX M4159), serving as an infinite sink, was embedded in soils to extract available Cr(VI) from three representative saturated soils with different amounts of Cr(VI). The results suggested that Cr(VI) reduction occurred in the flooded soils, and the acid environment favored the adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI). There was a significant dose-response relationship between the soil resin-extractable Cr(VI) and the plant height of rice seedlings for test soils. The experimental results suggested that the embedded selective ion exchange resin method could be a suitable in situ method for assessing the phytotoxicity of Cr in flooded soils.     

Transport and transformation of hexavalent chromium through soils and into ground water

A detailed characterization of the underlying and adjacent soils of a chrome‐plating shop was performed to provide information on the extent of soil and aquifer contamination at the site and on the potential for off‐site migration and environmental impact. Intact, moist cores were obtained from more than 40 different locations, resulting in more than 200 discrete samples for total metal analysis, selective extraction tests, and adsorption‐reduction experiments, to assess the chemical speciation and distribution of chromium on the contaminated soils and its leaching potential. Surface analytical techniques were also used to determine chemical speciation and to further elucidate mineral fractions responsible for retention of the chromium on the soils and sediments. Adsorption and reduction capacities of the saturated aquifer sediments were variable and low, while the unsaturated soils’ reduction capacities were much greater and were correlated with depth (decreasing capacity with increasing depth). The soils’ adsorption and reduction capacities were eventually overwhelmed, however, and permitted the passage of Cr(VI) into the underlying ground water. Adsorption capacity differences were primarily related to clay content and pH, and less so to the presence of amorphous iron oxide coatings on matrix minerals as operationally defined by the selective extraction methods used in the study. Reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and subsequent precipitation as (Fe, Cr)(OH)₃ is proposed as the primary attenuation mechanism in the unsaturated soils immediately beneath the shop, based on extraction and surface analyses results.     

Hexavalent chromium reduction by Cellulomonas sp. strain ES6: the influence of carbon source, iron minerals, and electron shuttling compounds

The reduction of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), to trivalent chromium, Cr(III), can be an important aspect of remediation processes at contaminated sites. Cellulomonas species are found at several Cr(VI) contaminated and uncontaminated locations at the Department of Energy site in Hanford, Washington. Members of this genus have demonstrated the ability to effectively reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) fermentatively and therefore play a potential role in Cr(VI) remediation at this site. Batch studies were conducted with Cellulomonas sp. strain ES6 to assess the influence of various carbon sources, iron minerals, and electron shuttling compounds on Cr(VI) reduction rates as these chemical species are likely to be present in, or added to, the environment during in situ bioremediation. Results indicated that the type of carbon source as well as the type of electron shuttle present influenced Cr(VI) reduction rates. Molasses stimulated Cr(VI) reduction more effectively than pure sucrose, presumably due to presence of more easily utilizable sugars, electron shuttling compounds or compounds with direct Cr(VI) reduction capabilities. Cr(VI) reduction rates increased with increasing concentration of anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) regardless of the carbon source. The presence of iron minerals and their concentrations did not significantly influence Cr(VI) reduction rates. However, strain ES6 or AQDS could directly reduce surface-associated Fe(III) to Fe(II), which was capable of reducing Cr(VI) at a near instantaneous rate. These results suggest the rate limiting step in these systems was the transfer of electrons from strain ES6 to the intermediate or terminal electron acceptor whether that was Cr(VI), Fe(III), or AQDS.     

Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution by thermophilic denitrifying bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chelatococcus daeguensis</Emphasis> TAD1 in the presence of single and multiple heavy metals

Cr(VI) pollution is increasing continuously as a result of ongoing industrialization. In this study, we investigated the thermophilic denitrifying bacterium Chelatococcus daeguensis TAD1, isolated from the biofilm of a biotrickling filter used in nitrogen oxides (NO_X) removal, with respect to its ability to remove Cr(VI) from an aqueous solution. TAD1 was capable of reducing Cr(VI) from an initial concentration of 10 mg/L to non-detectable levels over a pH range of 7–9 and at a temperature range of 30–50°C. TAD1 simultaneously removed both Cr(VI) and NO₃^?-N at 50°C, when the pH was 7 and the initial Cr(VI) concentration was 15 mg/L. The reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) correlated with the growth metabolic activity of TAD1. The presence of other heavy metals (Cu, Zn, and Ni) inhibited the ability of TAD1 to remove Cr(VI). The metals each individually inhibited Cr(VI) removal, and the extent of inhibition increased in a cooperative manner in the presence of a combination of the metals. The addition of biodegradable cellulose acetate microspheres (an adsorption material) weakened the toxicity of the heavy metals; in their presence, the Cr(VI) removal efficiency returned to a high level. The feasibility and applicability of simultaneous nitrate removal and Cr(VI) reduction by strain TAD1 is promising, and may be an effective biological method for the clean-up of wastewater.     

Fe(III), Cr(VI), and Fe(III) mediated Cr(VI) reduction in alkaline media using a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas</Emphasis> isolate from Soap Lake,Washington

Hexavalent chromium is one of the most widely distributed environmental contaminants. Given the carcinogenic and mutagenic consequences of Cr(VI) exposure, the release of Cr(VI) into the environment has long been a major concern. While many reports of microbial Cr(VI) reduction are in circulation, very few have demonstrated Cr(VI) reduction under alkaline conditions. Since Cr(VI) exhibits higher mobility in alkaline soils relative to pH neutral soils, and since Cr contamination of alkaline soils is associated with a number of industrial activities, microbial Cr(VI) reduction under alkaline conditions requires attention. Soda lakes are the most stable alkaline environments on earth, and contain a wide diversity of alkaliphilic organisms. In this study, a bacterial isolate belonging to the Halomonas genus was obtained from Soap Lake, a chemically stratified alkaline lake located in central Washington State. The ability of this isolate to reduce Cr(VI) and Fe(III) was assessed under alkaline (pH = 9), anoxic, non-growth conditions with acetate as an electron donor. Metal reduction rates were quantified using Monod kinetics. In addition, Cr(VI) reduction experiments were carried out in the presence of Fe(III) to evaluate the possible enhancement of Cr(VI) reduction rates through electron shuttling mechanisms. While Fe(III) reduction rates were slow compared to previously reported rates, Cr(VI) reduction rates fell within range of previously reported rates.     

Effects of Contaminant Concentration,Aging, and Soil Properties on the Bioaccessibility of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in Soil

Contaminated soils at numerous U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and other industrial facilities often contain huge inventories of toxic metals such as chromium. Ingestion of soil by children is often the primary risk factor that drives the need for remediation. Site assessments are typically based solely on total soil-metal concentrations and do not consider the potential for decreased bioaccessibility due to metal sequestration by soil. The objectives of this research are to investigate the effect of soil properties on the bioaccessibility of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) as a function of contaminant concentration and aging. The A and upper B horizons of two well-characterized soils, representative of Cr-contaminated soils in the southeastern United States, were treated with varying concentration of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) and allowed to age. The bioaccessibility of the contaminated soils was measured over a 200-d time period using a physiologically based extraction test (PBET) that was designed to simulate the digestive process of the stomach. The sorption of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) varied significantly as a function of soil type and horizon, and the oxidation state of the contaminant. Solid phase concentrations with Cr(III) were significantly greater than Cr(VI) for any given initial Cr concentration. This is consistent with the mechanisms of Cr(III) vs. Cr(VI) sequestration by the soils, where the formation of Cr(III)-hydroxides can result in the accumulation of large mass fractions of contaminant on mineral surfaces. Overall, Cr bioaccessibility decreased with duration of exposure for all soils and at all solid phase concentrations, with aging effects being more pronounced for Cr(III). The decrease in Cr bioaccessibility was rapid for the first 50 d and then slowed dramatically between 50 and 200 d. In general, the effects of Cr solid phase concentration on bioaccessibility was small, with Cr(III) showing the most pronounced effect; higher solid phase concentrations resulted in a decrease in bioaccessibility. Chemical extraction methods and X-ray Adsorption Spectroscopy analyses suggested that the bioaccessibility of Cr(VI) was significantly influenced by reduction processes catalyzed by soil organic carbon. Soils with sufficient organic carbon had lower Cr bioaccessibility values (～10 to 20%) due to an enhanced reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). In soils where organic carbon was limited and reduction processes were minimal, the bioaccessibility of Cr(VI) dramatically increased (～60 to 70%).     

Application of a hybrid biofilter column for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution using an indigenous bacterial strain Pseudomonas taiwanensis

In the present study, a laboratory-scale biofilter column was designed and fabricated. It was packed with a mixture of coal and compost as a packing medium. The column was enriched with an indigenous bacterial strain Pseudomonas taiwanensis isolated from aerobic mixed culture of Sewage Treatment Plant, BITS-Pilani, Pilani campus. The removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] from aqueous solution was investigated in the biofilter column. The entire biofiltration operation was divided into five phases (I to V) for a period of 63 days. Biofilter column was subjected to shock loading conditions for 20 days immediately after 63 days of operation. The maximum removal efficiency of 89.4% was obtained during phase V for Cr(VI) inlet concentration of 40 mg L^?1. During shock loading, maximum removal efficiency was obtained as 90% for 48.5–50 mg L^?1 of initial Cr(VI) concentration. Kinetic parameters of biofiltration process for Cr(VI) removal were also determined by fitting Michaelis-Menten kinetic model with experimental data. The Michaelis-Menten kinetic constants were obtained as 0.258 mg L^?1 min^?1 and 26.83 mg L^?1. It was found that Ottengraf-Van den Oever model with zero-order diffusion limitation fit the experimental data quite well for phases III, IV, and V with coefficient of determination (R²) values .97, .99, and .984, respectively. A possible method for safe disposal of packing medium was also presented in this study.     

Alleviation of toxic hexavalent chromium using indigenous aerobic bacteria isolated from contaminated tannery industry sites

In the last decade, much attention has been paid to bioremediation of Cr(VI) using various bacterial species. Cr(VI) remediation by indegeneous bacteria isolated from contaminated sites of a tannery industry located in Tamil Nadu, India, was investigated in this study. Three Cr(VI) resistant bacterial strains (TES-1, TEf-1, and TES-2) were isolated and selected based on their Cr(VI) reduction ability in minimal salt medium. Among these three bacterial strains, TES-1 was found to be most efficient in bioreduction, while TES-2 was only found to be Cr(VI) resistant and showed negligible bioreduction, whereas TEf-1 was observed to be most Cr(VI) tolerant. Potential for bioremediation of TES-1 and TEf-1 was further investigated at different concentrations of Cr(VI) in the range of 50 to 350 mg L^?1. TEf-1 showed prominent synchronous growth throughout the experiment, whereas TES-1 took a longer acclimatization time. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Cr(VI) for TES-1 and TEf-1 were approximated as 600 mg L^?1 and 750 mg L^?1, respectively. The kinetic behavior of Cr(VI) reduction by TES-1 and TEf-1 exhibited zero- and first-order removal kinetics for Cr(VI), respectively. The most efficient strain TES-1 was identified as Streptomyces sp. by gene sequencing of 16S rRNA.     

Box–Behnken design for the optimization of the removal of Cr(VI) in soil leachate using nZVI/Ni bimetallic particles

Abstract

Soil leachate containing Cr(VI) was remediated in this investigation using nano zero valent iron/nickel bimetallic particles (nZVI/Ni) prepared by borohydride reduction method. To validate and optimize interactions among different parameters (reaction time, temperature, and the initial pH value) for the reduction of Cr(VI) in soil leachate, the Box–Behnken design (BBD) model of response surface methodology was employed. Seventeen experiments were carried out with three center points. F- and P-values obtained from this model suggested that the BBD model was suitable for analyzing the interaction among different parameters. Correlation coefficients of 0.9865 and 0.9692 were obtained for R² and adjusted R², respectively. Results showed that the interaction between initial pH value and temperature had an significant effect on the removal rate of Cr(VI) in soil leachate by nZVI/Ni. The optimum condition was when pH was 5, temperature was 313 K, and reaction time was 20 min, the removal rate could reach 99.36%. This study provided a reference for the further research and practical application of nZVI/Ni to remediate Cr(VI) from soil leachate.     

Cr isotopic insights into ca. 1.9 Ga oxidative weathering of the continents using the Beaverlodge Lake paleosol,Northwest Territories,Canada

The ca. 1.9 Ga Beaverlodge Lake paleosol was studied using redox‐sensitive Cr isotopes in order to determine the isotopic response to paleoweathering of a rhyodacite parent rock 500 million years after the Great Oxidation Event. Redox reactions occurring in modern weathering environments produce Cr(VI) that is enriched in heavy Cr isotopes compared to the igneous inventory. Cr(VI) species are soluble and easily leached from soils into streams and rivers, thus, leaving particle‐reactive and isotopically light Cr(III) species to build up in soils. The Beaverlodge Lake paleosol and two other published weathering profiles of similar age, the Flin Flon and Schreiber Beach paleosols, are not as isotopically light as modern soils, indicating that rivers were not as isotopically heavy at that time. Considering that the global average δ⁵³Cr value for the oxidative weathering flux of Cr to the oceans today is just 0.27 ± 0.30‰ (1σ) based on a steady‐state analysis of the modern ocean Cr cycle, the oxidative weathering flux of Cr to the oceans at ca. 1.9 Ga would have likely been shifted to lower δ⁵³Cr values, and possibly lower than the igneous inventory (–0.12 ± 0.10‰, 2σ). Mn oxides are the main oxidant of Cr(III) in modern soils, but there is no evidence that they formed in the studied paleosols. Cr(VI) may have formed by direct oxidation of Cr(III) using molecular oxygen or H₂O₂, but neither pathway is as efficient as Mn oxides for producing Cr(VI). The picture that emerges from this and other studies of Cr isotope variation in ca. 1.9 Ga paleosols is of atmospheric oxygen concentrations that are high enough to oxidize iron, but too low to oxidize Mn, resulting in low Cr(VI) inventories in Earth surface environments.     

Bioremediation of Cr(VI) from Chromium-Contaminated Wastewater by Free and Immobilized Cells of Cellulosimicrobium cellulans KUCr3

In this report, possible utilization of a chromium-reducing bacterial strain Cellulosimicrobium cellulans KUCr3 for effective bioremediation of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))-containing wastewater fed with tannery effluents has been discussed. Cr(VI) reduction and bioremediation were found to be related to the growth supportive conditions in wastewater, which is indicative of cell mass dependency for Cr(VI) reduction. Cr(VI) reduction was determined by measuring the residual Cr(VI) in the cell-free supernatant using colorimetric reagent S-diphenylcarbazide. Nutrient availability and initial cell density showed a positive relation with Cr(VI) reduction, but it was inhibited with increasing concentration of Cr(VI) under laboratory condition. The optimum temperature and pH for effective Cr(VI) reduction in wastewater were found to be 35°C and 7.5, respectively. The viable cells of KUCr3 were successfully entrapped in an agarose bead that was used in continuous column and batch culture for assaying Cr(VI) reduction. In packed bed column (continuous flow) experiment, approximately 25% Cr(VI) reduction occurred after 144 h. Cr(VI) was almost 75% and 52% reduced at concentrations of 0.5 mM and 2 mM Cr(VI), respectively, after 96 h in batch culture experiment in peptone-yeast extract-glucose medium, whereas it could decrease the Cr(VI) content up to 40% from the water containing tannery waste. This study suggests that KUCr3 could be used as a candidate for possible environmental clean up operation with respect to Cr(VI) bioremediation.