Detoxification of Hexavalent Chromium from Industrial Wastewater using a Bacterial Biofilm System
Zainul Akmar Zakaria, Wan Azlina Ahmad, Wan Haslinda Wan Ahmad and Sindhu Mathew
from: Biofilms in Bioremediation: Current Research and Emerging Technologies (Edited by: Gavin Lear). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2016) Pages: 161-182.
Abstract
The incomplete removal of chromium from industrial wastewaters, particularly Cr (VI) species is of importance due to its persistence, stability and high solubility. Chemical reduction followed by precipitation is the most common Cr (VI) treatment technique used in the industry. Such an approach has disadvantages as large volumes of sludge are generated, obnoxious gases may be released and the process can be associated with high operating costs. Microorganisms such as bacteria have long been reported to have the ability to reduce Cr (VI). The use of Cr (VI) resistant-reducing bacterial biofilm offers an interesting solution to treat Cr (VI) containing industrial wastewater as well as the bioremediation of Cr (VI) polluted areas. Nevertheless, promising results obtained from laboratory scale experiments do not necessarily equate to success under large scale operating conditions. This is because important operational parameters are normally controlled in the laboratory and huge natural fluctuations in the wastewater are avoided. Hence it is necessary to assess the robustness of the system at a larger scale where it can be subjected to fluctuations naturally occurring in wastewater, and as typically encountered in factory compounds or contaminated areas read more ...
