review · Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology
This review examines bioremediation technologies for chromium (Cr) contamination in soils and wastewater. Chromium, a toxic metal from natural and industrial activities like electroplating and leather industries, poses significant ecological and health risks. Bioremediation offers advantages such as minimal environmental disturbance, low cost, and reduced secondary pollution. The review details Cr's chemical properties, pollution sources, environmental quality, toxicological effects, and analytical methods. It discusses factors governing bioremediation techniques, comparing their benefits and drawbacks. A key focus is on the mechanisms involved, including biosorption, bioaccumulation, complexation, electrostatic attraction, Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III), and ion exchange, which collectively decrease Cr(VI) concentrations and convert it to less toxic Cr(III). While bioremediation is promising, most studies remain at the laboratory stage. The review suggests future research directions and provides theoretical guidance for applying biosorbents for Cr(VI) bioremediation.
Chromium pollution from industrial activities and natural sources is a significant environmental and health threat. Bioremediation provides a promising, low-cost, and environmentally friendly method to remove or detoxify this harmful metal from soil and water. Advancing these techniques is crucial for protecting ecosystems and human health from chromium toxicity.
This early-stage research provides theoretical guidance for developing bioremediation technologies to treat chromium-contaminated soils and wastewater. While currently at the laboratory stage, future applications could involve environmental remediation companies or industries like electroplating and leather manufacturing, seeking sustainable and cost-effective methods to manage their chromium waste and comply with environmental regulations.
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Chromium (Cr) is a potentially toxic metal originating from natural processes and anthropogenic activities such as the iron-steel, electroplating, and leather industries, which is carcinogen to living organisms and has an ecological risk. Hence, research into the remediation of Cr pollution has attracted widespread attention. Bioremediation techniques have advantages of causing little disturbance to soil and water, low cost, simple and convenient operation, and less secondary pollution. In this review, we briefly describe the chemical properties of Cr, sources of Cr pollution, environmental quality, toxicological/health effects of Cr, and analytical methods. We also discuss the factors that govern methods for the bioremediation of Cr and compare their advantages and disadvantages. In particular, we focus on efforts to establish Cr bioremediation processes and their mechanisms. The main mechanisms include biosorption, bioaccumulation, complexation, electrostatic attraction, Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III), and ion exchange, which decrease the Cr(VI) concentrations and convert Cr(VI) into Cr(III) lowering its toxicity and making it environmentally benign. However, bioremediation is still a challenging technique and most studies remain at the laboratory stage. Therefore we suggest areas for future research and provide theoretical guidance and a scientific basis for the application of biosorbents for Cr(VI) bioremediation in soils and wastewater.
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DOI: 10.1080/10643389.2018.1564526
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