Chromium geochemistry of the ca. 1.85 Ga Flin Flon paleosol

Fractionation of stable Cr isotopes has been measured in Archaean paleosols and marine sedimentary rocks and interpreted to record the terrestrial oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI), providing possible indirect evidence for the emergence of oxygenic photosynthesis. However, these fractionations occur amidst evidence from other geochemical proxies for a pervasively anoxic atmosphere. This study examined the Cr geochemistry of the ca. 1.85 Ga Flin Flon paleosol, which developed under an atmosphere unambiguously oxidising enough to quantitatively convert Fe(II) to Fe(III) during pedogenesis. The paleosol shows an extreme range in Cr isotope composition of 2.76 ‰ δ^53/52Cr. The protolith greenstone (δ^53/52Cr: ?0.23 ‰), the deepest weathering horizon (δ^53/52Cr: ?0.15 to ?0.23 ‰) and a residual corestone in the upper paleosol (δ^53/52Cr: ?0.01 ‰) all exhibit Cr isotopic compositions comparable to unaltered igneous rocks. The most significant isotopic fractionation is preserved in the areas influenced by oxidative subaerial weathering (i.e. increase in Fe(III)/Fe(II)) and the greatest loss of mobile elements. The uppermost paleosol horizon is both Cr and Mn depleted and offset to significantly ⁵³Cr‐enriched compositions (δ^53/52Cr values between +1.50 and +2.38 ‰), which is not easily modelled with the oxidation of Cr(III) and loss of isotopically heavy Cr(VI). Instead, the currently preferred model for these data invokes the open‐system removal of isotopically light aqueous Cr(III) during either pedogenesis or subsequent hydrothermal/metamorphic alteration. The ⁵³Cr enrichment would then represent the preferential dissolution or complexation of isotopically light aqueous Cr(III) species (enhanced by lower pH conditions and possibly the presence of complexing ligands) and/or the residual signature from preferential adsorption of isotopically heavy Cr(III). Both scenarios would contradict the widely held assumption that only redox reactions of Cr can generate large magnitude isotopic fractionations and, if substantiated, non‐redox isotope effects would complicate the conclusive fingerprinting of ancient atmospheric O₂ from Cr isotope data alone.     

A Zn isotope perspective on the rise of continents

Zinc isotope abundances are fairly constant in igneous rocks and shales and are left unfractionated by hydrothermal processes at pH < 5.5. For that reason, Zn isotopes in sediments can be used to trace the changing chemistry of the hydrosphere. Here, we report Zn isotope compositions in Fe oxides from banded iron formations (BIFs) and iron formations of different ages. Zinc from early Archean samples is isotopically indistinguishable from the igneous average (δ⁶⁶Zn ~0.3‰). At 2.9–2.7 Ga, δ⁶⁶Zn becomes isotopically light (δ⁶⁶Zn < 0‰) and then bounces back to values >1‰ during the ~2.35 Ga Great Oxygenation Event. By 1.8 Ga, BIF δ⁶⁶Zn has settled to the modern value of FeMn nodules and encrustations (~0.9‰). The Zn cycle is largely controlled by two different mechanisms: Zn makes strong complexes with phosphates, and phosphates in turn are strongly adsorbed by Fe hydroxides. We therefore review the evidence that the surface geochemical cycles of Zn and P are closely related. The Zn isotope record echoes Sr isotope evidence, suggesting that erosion starts with the very large continental masses appearing at ~2.7 Ga. The lack of Zn fractionation in pre‐2.9 Ga BIFs is argued to reflect the paucity of permanent subaerial continental exposure and consequently the insignificant phosphate input to the oceans and the small output of biochemical sediments. We link the early decline of δ⁶⁶Zn between 3.0 and 2.7 Ga with the low solubility of phosphate in alkaline groundwater. The development of photosynthetic activity at the surface of the newly exposed continents increased the oxygen level in the atmosphere, which in turn triggered acid drainage and stepped up P dissolution and liberation of heavy Zn into the runoff. Zinc isotopes provide a new perspective on the rise of continents, the volume of carbonates on continents, changing weathering conditions, and compositions of the ocean through time.     

A paleosol record of the evolution of Cr redox cycling and evidence for an increase in atmospheric oxygen during the Neoproterozoic

Atmospheric oxygen levels control the oxidative side of key biogeochemical cycles and place limits on the development of high‐energy metabolisms. Understanding Earth's oxygenation is thus critical to developing a clearer picture of Earth's long‐term evolution. However, there is currently vigorous debate about even basic aspects of the timing and pattern of the rise of oxygen. Chemical weathering in the terrestrial environment occurs in contact with the atmosphere, making paleosols potentially ideal archives to track the history of atmospheric O₂ levels. Here we present stable chromium isotope data from multiple paleosols that offer snapshots of Earth surface conditions over the last three billion years. The results indicate a secular shift in the oxidative capacity of Earth's surface in the Neoproterozoic and suggest low atmospheric oxygen levels (<1% PAL pO₂) through the majority of Earth's history. The paleosol record also shows that localized Cr oxidation may have begun as early as the Archean, but efficient, modern‐like transport of hexavalent Cr under an O₂‐rich atmosphere did not become common until the Neoproterozoic.     

Paleosols,trace fossils,and precipitation estimates of the uppermost Triassic strata in northern New Mexico

This study provides a detailed pedogenic evaluation of two Upper Triassic (Late Norian through Rhaetian) stratigraphic intervals in New Mexico in order to assess the climate and ecology of the Latest Triassic, which ended in a mass extinction. The two study areas are located in north–central and east-central New Mexico and are separated by 200 km. Each section contains abundant paleosols of varying maturity with features that reflect an arid to semiarid climate. There is little pedogenic variation throughout the strata at each location, and a typical paleosol profile is about 1 m thick and has an AB–Bw–Bk–BC horizon succession. Bkm, Bss, Bssk, or Bssg horizons are present in some paleosols. Micromorphological features suggest dominantly well-drained sola (e.g., abundant carbonate nodules, illuviated clay) with minor periods of moist or saturated conditions (e.g., FeMn concretions, FeMn coatings and hypocoatings, sepic-plasmic fabrics). Trace fossils are abundant in these strata and are dominated by Taenidium serpentinum and root traces. Depth-to-carbonate functions estimate that mean annual precipitation was between 200 and 450 +/? 95 mm. Relative to location 1 (eastern New Mexico), location 2 (north–central New Mexico) produced higher paleo-precipitation estimates and has stronger and more abundant sepic-plasmic fabrics in thin sections. The presence of a gleyed paleosol, Camborygma eumnkenomos, and slickensides at location 2 also suggests conditions wetter than at location 1. Taxonomically, all of the paleosols in this study appear to be Entisols or Aridisols and can be grouped into seven representative pedotypes of varying maturity. By comparing these paleosols to modern soils, this study demonstrates that the Late Triassic Western Interior during the Late Norian to Rhaetian was arid to semiarid and supported a desert shrub environment that had localized and periodic moist or saturated soil conditions.     

Comparative analysis of the functional activity and composition of hydrolytic microbial complexes from the lower Volga barrow and modern chestnut soils

The structure and specific characteristics of the hydrolytic microbial complexes from chestnut paleosols buried under the barrows of different ages (～4500 and ～3500 years) was compared with their modern analogue in microcosm experiments. Potential activity of the hydrolytic complex of the microbial community of the barrow paleosols was found to be higher than in the modern soil complex. The share of metabolically active cells revealed by FISH after the introduction of a growth-stimulating polysaccharide into the paleosol microcosm was 50% of the whole prokaryotic cell number. The paleosol community exhibited a more pronounced response to addition of the substrate than the modern soil community. The differences in the phylogenetic taxonomic structure of the prokaryotic metabolically active hydrolytic complex in the buried and modern soils were revealed. The hydrolytic complex of modern soil was more diverse, while the dominant hydrolytic organisms revealed in paleosols were unicellular and mycelial Actinobacteria, as well as Proteobacteria.     

The Permian Moradi Formation of northern Niger: Paleosol morphology,petrography and mineralogy

Three basic paleosol morphologies, named Type A, Type B and Type C, are described from the middle–upper Permian strata of the Moradi Formation, Tim Mersoi Basin, northern Niger. The Moradi Formation is a typical alluvial redbed succession dominated by red mudrocks with fine to coarse-grained pebbly channel sandstones and matrix-breccias. Type A paleosols are hosted by well-sorted fine to medium grained trough cross bedded and massive sandstones and preserve abundant vertical to horizontal micritic and microspar calcite tubules, interpreted as rhizoliths. Lateral variability of rhizoliths in Type A paleosols, and their close association with fluvial channel-fill sediments suggests they are the roots of grove stands of phreatophytic vegetation that grew within unstable anabranching stream systems. Type B paleosols are hosted by mudrocks and preserve well-developed ped structure, abundant micritic calcite nodules and vertically-stacked micritic calcite nodular bodies, as well as rare calcite with satin-spar texture interpreted as a pseudomorphic replacement of pedogenic gypsum. The morphology of Type B paleosols suggests they were formed in well-drained floodplain deposits on stable landforms. Type C paleosols are similar to Type B but preserve pedogenic structures indicative of soil volume expansion and contraction, as well as more abundant Stage II pedogenic carbonate nodules. The morphology of Type C paleosols suggests that they developed periodically rather than seasonally in poorly-drained deposits that nevertheless occupied a relatively stable part of the landscape such as the plains flanking ephemeral lakes or sabkhas.X-ray diffraction analysis of the < 2 μm fraction from the Moradi Formation strata indicates that paleosol phyllosilicates are composed of illite, smectite, and occasionally kaolinite and talc. Illite is likely a detrital mineral, whereas smectite and kaolinite are likely pedogenic weathering products. The presence of talc in the Moradi Formation paleosols is unusual. It is limited to paleosol horizons that also preserve evidence for pedogenic gypsum accumulation and is therefore most likely related to a pedogenic weathering process. It is possible that this talc is a relatively low-temperature (~ 50–100 °C) diagenetic alteration product of pedogenic Mg–phyllosilicates such as sepiolite.The range of morphologies, petrographic textures and mineralogy of the paleosol profiles indicates semi-arid to hyper-arid climatic setting. This paleoclimatic reconstruction is in agreement with Middle and Late Permian conceptual paleoclimate models and quantitative general circulation models. Nevertheless, and in spite of an arid climate, Moradi paleosols and their host strata also indicate a relatively shallow groundwater table. Importantly, this shallow groundwater resource undoubtedly helped to support the moderately diverse fossil vertebrate assemblage and large-stature macrophytes preserved in the Moradi Formation.     

Bioremoval of hexavalent chromium from water by a salt tolerant bacterium, Exiguobacterium sp. GS1

Pollution of terrestrial surfaces and aquatic systems by hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), is a worldwide public health problem. A chromium resistant bacterial isolate identified as Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 by 16S rRNA gene sequencing displayed high rate of removal of Cr(VI) from water. Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 is 99% identical to Exiguobacterium acetylicum. The isolate significantly removed Cr(VI) at both high and low concentrations (1–200 μg mL⁻¹) within 12 h. The Michaelis–Menten K _m and V _max for Cr(VI) bioremoval were calculated to be 141.92 μg mL⁻¹ and 13.22 μg mL⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. Growth of Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 was indifferent at 1–75 μg mL⁻¹ Cr(VI) in 12 h. At initial concentration of 8,000 μg L⁻¹, Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 displayed rapid bioremoval of Cr(VI) with over 50% bioremoval in 3 h and 91% bioremoval in 8 h. Kinetic analysis of Cr(VI) bioremoval rate revealed zero-order in 8 h. Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 grew and significantly reduced Cr(VI) in cultures containing 1–9% salt indicating high salt tolerance. Similarly the isolate substantially reduced Cr(VI) over a wide range of temperature (18–45  °C) and initial pH (6.0–9.0). The T _opt and initial pH_opt were 35–40  °C and 7–8, respectively. Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 displayed a great potential for bioremediation of Cr(VI) in diverse complex environments.     

Determination of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) species in parenteral solutions using a nanostructured material packed-microcolumn and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A sequential on-line preconcentration and separation system for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) species determination was developed in this work. For this purpose, a microcolumn filled with nanostructured α-alumina was used for on-line retention of Cr species in a flow-injection system. The method involves the selective elution of Cr(VI) with concentrated ammonia and Cr(III) with 1 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid for sequential injection into an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer (ETAAS).Analytical parameters including pH, eluent type, flow rates of sample and eluent, interfering effects, etc., were optimized. The preconcentration factors for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) were 41 and 18, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was 1.9 ng L⁻¹ for Cr(VI) and 6.1 ng L⁻¹ for Cr(III). The calibration graph was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 8.6% for Cr(VI) and 6.1% for Cr(III) (c=10 μg L⁻¹, n=10, sample volume=25 mL). Verification of the accuracy was carried out by analysis of a standard reference material (NIST SRM 1643e “Trace elements in natural water”) with a reported Cr content of 20.40±0.24 μg L⁻¹. Using the proposed methodology the total Cr content, computed as sum of Cr(III) and Cr(VI), in this SRM was 20.26±0.96 μg L⁻¹. The method was successfully applied to the determination of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) species in parenteral solutions. Concentration of Cr(III) species was found to be in the range of 0.29–3.62 μg L⁻¹, while Cr(VI) species was not detected in the samples under study.     

Chromium uptake,retention and reduction in photosynthetic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euglena gracilis</Emphasis>

Photosynthetic Euglena gracilis grown with different K₂CrO₄ concentrations was analyzed for its ability to take up, retain and reduce Cr(VI). For comparison, cells were also exposed to CrCl₃. Cellular Cr(VI) uptake at pH 7.2 showed a hyperbolic saturation pattern with K _m of 1.1 mM, V _m of 16 nmol (h × 10⁷ cells)⁻¹, and K _i sulfate of 0.4 mM. Kinetic parameters for sulfate uptake were similar, K _m = 0.83 mM, V _m = 15.9 nmol (h × 10⁷cells)⁻¹ and K _i chromate = 0.3 mM. The capacity to accumulate chromium depended on the ionic species, external concentration and pH of the incubation medium. Cr(VI) or Cr(III) accumulation was negligible in the acidic (pH 3.5) culture medium, in which Cr(VI) was abiotically reduced to Cr(III). At pH 7.2 Cr(VI) was fully stable and high accumulation (>170 nmol/1 × 10⁷ cells at 1 mM K₂CrO₄) was achieved; surprisingly, Cr(III) accumulation was also significant (>35 nmol/1 × 10⁷ cells at 1 mM CrCl₃). Cr(VI) was reduced by cells at pH 7.2, suggesting the presence of an external reductive activity. Cr(VI) induced an increased cysteine and glutathione content, but not in phytochelatins suggesting that chromium accumulation was mediated by monothiol compounds.     

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.     

Modulation of tolerance to Cr(VI) and Cr(VI) reduction by sulfate ion in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis> yeast strain isolated from tannery wastewater

The main aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the sulfate ion on the tolerance to Cr(VI) and the Cr(VI) reduction in a yeast strain isolated from tannery wastewater and identified as Candida sp. FGSFEP by the D1/D2 domain sequence of the 26S rRNA gene. The Candida sp. FGSFEP strain was grown in culture media with sulfate concentrations ranging from 0 to 23.92 mM, in absence and presence of Cr(VI) [1.7 and 3.3 mM]. In absence of Cr(VI), the yeast specific growth rate was practically the same in every sulfate concentration tested, which suggests that sulfate had no stimulating or inhibiting effect on the yeast cell growth. In contrast, at the two initial Cr(VI) concentrations assayed, the specific growth rate of Candida sp. FGSFEP rose when sulfate concentration increased. Likewise, the greater efficiencies and volumetric rates of Cr(VI) reduction exhibited by Candida sp. FGSFEP were obtained at high sulfate concentrations. Yeast was capable of reducing 100% of 1.7 mM Cr(VI) and 84% of 3.3 mM Cr(VI), with rates of 0.98 and 0.44 mg Cr(VI)/L h, with 10 and 23.92 mM sulfate concentrations, respectively. These results indicate that sulfate plays an important role in the tolerance to Cr(VI) and Cr(VI) reduction in Candida sp. FGSFEP. These findings may have significant implications in the biological treatment of Cr(VI)-laden wastewaters.     

Reduction of high concentrations of chromate by Leucobacter sp. CRB1 isolated from Changsha, China

In recent years, more and more attentions are put on the remediation of Cr(VI) contamination with chromate resistant bacteria. Leucobacter sp. CRB1 was a novel chromate reducing bacteria isolated from the soil of chromite ore processing residue (COPR) disposal site in Changsha, China. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the Cr(VI) tolerance of Leucobacter sp. CRB1 as well as its tolerant mechanism, and Cr(VI) reduction ability. The results showed that Leucobacter sp. CRB1 was able to tolerate 4,000 mg/l of hexavalent chromium with 34.5% reduction efficiency. At the optimum pH 9.0, the maximum concentration of chromate be reduced completely was 1,818 mg/l in growing cells and 2,100 mg/l in resting cells. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) showed that extracellular Cr(VI) reduction of Leucobacter sp. CRB1 contributed to its high tolerance and high reduction ability. With repeating spiking, 2,490 mg/l hexavalent chromium was reduced totally within 17 h. The results suggest Leucobacter sp. CRB1 has potential application for remediation of high concentration of Cr(VI) contamination.     

Removal of toxic chromate using free and immobilized Cr(VI)-reducing bacterial cells of Intrasporangium sp. Q5-1

Chromate-reducing microorganisms with the ability of reducing toxic chromate [Cr(VI)] into insoluble trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] are very useful in treatment of Cr(VI)-contaminated water. In this study, a novel chromate-reducing bacterium was isolated from Mn/Cr-contaminated soil. Based on morphological, physiological/biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, this strain was identified as Intrasporangium sp. strain Q5-1. This bacterium has high Cr(VI) resistance with a MIC of 17 mmol l⁻¹ and is able to reduce Cr(VI) aerobically. The best condition of Cr(VI) reduction for Q5-1 is pH 8.0 at 37°C. Strain Q5-1 is also able to reduce Cr(VI) in resting (non-growth) conditions using a variety of carbon sources as well as in the absence of a carbon source. Acetate (1 mmol l⁻¹) is the most efficient carbon source for stimulating Cr(VI) reduction. In order to apply strain Q5-1 to remove Cr(VI) from wastewater, the bacterial cells were immobilized with different matrices. Q5-1 cells embedded with compounding beads containing 4% PVA, 3% sodium alginate, 1.5% active carbon and 3% diatomite showed a similar Cr(VI) reduction rates to that of free cells. In addition, the immobilized Q5-1 cells have the advantages over free cells in being more stable, easier to re-use and minimal clogging in continuous systems. This study provides potential applications of a novel immobilized chromate-reducing bacterium for Cr(VI) bioremediation.     

Chromium(VI) resistance and removal by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter haemolyticus</Emphasis>

The present work highlighted the studies on Cr(VI) reduction by cells of Acinetobacter haemolyticus (A. haemolyticus). The strain tolerated 90 mg Cr(VI) l⁻¹ in LB broth compared to only 30 mg Cr(VI) l⁻¹ in LB agar. From the FTIR analysis, the Cr(III) species formed was also most likely to form complexes with carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amide groups from the bacteria. A TEM study showed the absence of precipitates on the cell wall region of the bacteria. Instead, microprecipitates were observed in the cytoplasmic region of the cells, suggesting the transportation of Cr(VI) into the cells. Intracellular reduction of Cr(VI) was supported by a reductase test using soluble crude cell-free extracts. The specific reductase activity obtained was 0.52 μg Cr(VI) reduced per mg of protein an hour at pH 7.2 and 37°C. Our results indicated that A. haemolyticus can be used as a promising microorganism for Cr(VI) reduction from industrial wastewaters.     

Chromium(III) Oxidation Coupled with Microbially Mediated Mn(II) Oxidation

Abstract

Reductive immobilization of Cr(VI) has been widely explored as a cost-effective approach for Cr-contaminated site remediation. In soils containing manganese oxides, however, the immobilized form of chromium, i.e., Cr(III), could potentially be reoxidized. In this study, batch experiments were conducted to assess whether there were any microbial processes that could accelerate Cr(III) oxidation in aerobic, manganese-containing systems. The results showed that in the presence of at least one species of manganese oxidizers, Pseudomonas putida, Cr(III) oxidation took place at low concentrations of Cr(III). About 30–50% of added Cr(III) (10–200 μ M) was oxidized to Cr(VI) within five days in the systems with P. putida and biogenic Mn oxides. The rate of Cr(III) oxidation was approximately proportional to the initial concentration of Cr(III) up to 100 μ M, but the growth of P. putida was partially inhibited by Cr(III) at 200 μ M and totally stopped when it reached 500 μ M. Cr(III) oxidation was dependent upon the biogenic formation of Mn oxides, though the oxidation rate was not directly proportional to the amount of Mn oxides formed. Chromium(III) oxidation took place through a catalytic pathway, in which the microbes mediated Mn(II) oxidation to form Mn-oxides, and Cr(III) was subsequently oxidized by the biogenic Mn-oxides.     

Evaluation of chromium(VI) removal behaviour by two isolates of Synechocystis sp. in terms of exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and monomer composition

Chromium(VI) removal and its association with exopolysaccharide (EPS) production in cyanobacteria were investigated. Synechocystis sp. BASO670 produced higher EPS (548 mg L⁻¹) than Synechocystis sp. BASO672 (356 mg L⁻¹). While the EC₅₀ of the Cr(VI) for Synechocystis sp. BASO670 and Synechocystis sp. BASO672 were determined as 11.5 mg L⁻¹, and 2.0 mg L⁻¹, respectively, there was no relation between Cr(VI) removal and EPS production. Synechocystis sp. BASO672, which has higher EPS value, removed (33%) more Cr(VI) than Synechocystis sp. BASO670. Monomer compositions of EPS of each of the isolates were determined differently. Synechocystis sp. BASO672 which removed higher Cr(VI), had higher values of uronic acid and glucuronic acid (192 μg/mg and 89%, respectively). Our results showed that EPS might play a role in Cr(VI) tolerance. Monomer composition, especially uronic acid and glucuronic acid content of EPS may have enhanced Cr(VI) removal.     

Efficacy of bacterial consortium-AIE2 for contemporaneous Cr(VI) and azo dye bioremediation in batch and continuous bioreactor systems, monitoring steady-state bacterial dynamics using qPCR assays

Bacterial consortium-AIE2 with a capability of contemporaneous Cr(VI) reduction and azo dye RV5 decolourization was developed from industrial wastewaters by enrichment culture technique. The 16S rRNA gene based molecular analyses revealed that the consortium bacterial community structure consisted of four bacterial strains namely, Alcaligenes sp. DMA, Bacillus sp. DMB, Stenotrophomonas sp. DMS and Enterococcus sp. DME. Cumulative mechanism of Cr(VI) reduction by the consortium was determined using in vitro Cr(VI) reduction assays. Similarly, the complete degradation of Reactive Violet 5 (RV5) dye was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopic analysis. Consortium-AIE2 exhibited simultaneous bioremediation efficiencies of (97.8 ± 1.4) % and (74.1 ± 1.2) % in treatment of both 50 mg l⁻¹ Cr(VI) and RV5 dye concentrations within 48 h of incubation at pH 7 and 37°C in batch systems. Continuous bioreactor systems achieved simultaneous bioremediation efficiencies of (98.4 ± 1.5) % and (97.5 ± 1.4) % after the onset of steady-state at 50 mg l⁻¹ input Cr(VI) and 25 mg l⁻¹ input RV5 concentrations, respectively, at medium dilution rate (D) of 0.014 h⁻¹. The 16S rRNA gene copy numbers in the continuous bioreactor as determined by real-time PCR assay indicated that Alcaligenes sp. DMA and Bacillus sp. DMB dominated consortium bacterial community during the active continuous bioremediation process.     

Concurrent Removal of Mn(II) and Cr(VI) by Achromobacter sp. TY3-4

In this study, we report a bacterium, Achromobacter sp. TY3-4, capable of concurrently removing Mn (II) and Cr (VI) under oxic condition. TY3-4 reduced as much as 2.31?mM of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) in 70?h, and oxidized as much as 20?mM of Mn(II) to Mn oxides in 80?h. When 0.58?mM Cr (VI) and 10?mM Mn(II) were present together, both Cr(VI) and Mn(II) were completely removed by TY3-4 and the generated precipitates are Mn^IIIOOH, Mn^III,IV₃O₄, Mn^IVO₂ and Cr^III(OH)₃. Experiments also show that both biosroption and bioreduction of Mn(II) are the driving forces for Mn(II) removal, whereas bioreduction of Cr(VI) is the driving force for Cr(VI) removal. On the basis of these results, a possible reaction was proposed that TY3-4 concurrently reduces Cr(VI) and oxidizes Mn(II). This study is fundamental for Mn and Cr cycles. The strain shows potential for practical application.     

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.