Bioremediation of chromate-contaminated groundwater

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:210246

Losi, M E; Amrhein, C; Frankenberger, Jr, W T ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Riverside, CA (United States)

An industrial discharge of chromate-treated cooling water resulted in Cr(VI) contamination of an aquifer underlying a farming region in southern California. The blowdown water leaked from unlined evaporation ponds, contaminating the aquifer with a plume approximately 2.5 km long and 0.8 km wide. Regulatory agencies have mandated remediation of the site setting a maximum concentration limit of 50 ug L{sup -1} on the treated water. Laboratory and glasshouse experiments were conducted to assess the ability of the soil from the field site to remove Cr(VI) from the groundwater. Laboratory studies examined the effects of aeration, organic matter, microbial activity, and pH on the extent of reduction and precipitation. A study to evaluate the potential for reoxidation was also done. In the glasshouse, the effects of organic matter loading, irrigation frequency, fertilizer additions, and cropping on the concentration of Cr in the drainage water, soil, and plant tissue and the amount of specifically adsorbed chromate in the soil were examined. The unamended soil did not adsorb or reduce and precipitate Cr due to its low organic matter content, clay content, and iron oxides. The amount of Cr removed was proportional to organic matter loading; therefore, it is recommended that regular additions of organic amendments be made.

• OSTI ID: 210246
• Report Number(s): CONF-9509139--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
CHROMIUM
COOLING PONDS
DECONTAMINATION
GROUND WATER
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
LEAKS
MANURES
PRECIPITATION
REDUCTION
SOILS
UPTAKE
WASTE PROCESSING