Biological reduction of chromium by E. coli

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York); (United States)

OSTI ID:7026013

Shen, H; Wang, Y T ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering

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 (IC[sub 50]) were 986, 1,526, and 5,263 mg/L for p-cresol, 2-chlorophenol, and phenol, respectively, in anaerobic cultures with higher IC[sub 50] values noted in aerobic cultures. Cr(VI) reduction by this strain was more susceptible to heavy metals (Zn[sup 2+] and Cu[sup 2+]) than the phenolic compounds. The reduction of Cr(VI) by E. coli ATCC33456 was enzymatic, and was not affected by redox potential of the culture media and other possible electron acceptors such as sulfate and nitrate.

• OSTI ID: 7026013
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York); (United States), Vol. 120:3; ISSN 0733-9372
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
TOXICITY
CHROMIUM
METABOLISM
CRESOLS
ESCHERICHIA COLI
GROWTH
PHENOL
AROMATICS
BACTERIA
ELEMENTS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PHENOLS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology