Chromium removal technologies

Chromium can exist in different oxidation states (e.g. 0, III, VI). Chromium can be both beneficial and toxic to animals and humans depending on its oxidation state and concentration. At low concentration, Cr(III) is essential for animal and human health. Chromium(VI) compounds are highly soluble, mobile and bioavailable compared to trivalent chromium. Chromium(VI) is dangerous for humans due to its toxicity and carcinogenic properties. The presence of hexavalent chromium in waste water is a potential hazard to aquatic animals and humans. Various methods are adopted for the removal of hexavalent chromium from industrial effluents. Among these different techniques, biosorption is the most promising one. In this process, the various components present in biomaterial reduce the toxic hexavalent chromium to non-toxic trivalent chromium. Algae, fungi and bacteria have biosorption properties, and cell walls are responsible for biosorption of dead biomaterial. But this process removes chromium from waste water very slowly. So for chemical modification of biosorbents, optimization of biosorption parameters is required to increase the effectiveness of this process.