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Title: Reduction of Health Risks Due to Chromium(VI)Using Mesquite: A Potential Cr Phytoremediator

Conference ·
OSTI ID:826011

Chromium is a transition metal extensively used in industry. Cr mining and industrial operations account for chromium wastes at Superfund sites in the United States. A study was performed to investigate the possibility of using mesquite (Prosopis spp.), which is an indigenous desert plant species, to remove Cr from contaminated sites. In this study, mesquite plants were grown in an agar-based medium containing 75 mg L-1 and 125 mg L-1 of Cr(VI). The Cr content of leaf tissue (992 mg kg-1 of dry weight, from 125 mg L-1 of Cr(VI)) indicated that mesquite could be classified as a chromium hyperaccumulator. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies performed to experimental samples showed that mesquite roots absorbed some of the supplied Cr(VI). However, the data analyses of plant tissues demonstrated that the absorbed Cr(VI) was fully reduced to Cr(III) in the leaf tissue.

Research Organization:
University of Texas, El Paso, TX (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC) (US)
OSTI ID:
826011
Resource Relation:
Conference: 227th American Chemical Society Meeting, Anaheim, CA (US), 03/28/2004--04/01/2004; Other Information: PBD: 29 Mar 2004
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English