Biological Reduction of Chromium by E. Coli
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 120, Issue 3
Abstract
Toxic hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), was reduced by an Escherichia coli strain, ATCC 33456, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions by using a variety of electron donors including glucose, acetate, propionate, glycerol and glycine. In addition to electron‐donor type, the initial cell concentration, Cr(VI) concentration, pH, and temperature had profound effects on the rate of Cr(VI) reduction. Cr(VI) reduction was not significantly affected by the presence of moderate level of phenolic compounds. The concentration levels that caused a 50% reduction in the rate of Cr(VI) reduction were 986, 1,526, and 5,263 mg/L for p‐cresol, 2‐chlorophenol, and phenol, respectively, in anaerobic cultures with higher values noted in aerobic cultures. Cr(VI) reduction by this strain was more susceptible to heavy metals (Zn2+ and Cu2+) than the phenolic compounds. The reduction of Cr(VI) by E. coli ATCC 33456 was enzymatic, and was not affected by redox potential of the culture media and other possible electron acceptors such as sulfate and nitrate.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 120 • Issue 3 • May 1994
Pages: 560 - 572
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 18, 1992
Published online: May 1, 1994
Published in print: May 1994
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