Author : Ankitha R 1
Date of Publication :20th May 2016
Abstract: Bioremediation is one of the leading sought after techniques for heavy metal removal and to prevent it’s contamination in the effluent discharge hence avoiding various toxicological effects. Heavy metals such as chromium have a number of applications such as leather tanning, organochemicals, fertilizers etc. Once chromium is introduced into the environment, it exists in two different oxidation states, Cr (III) and Cr (VI). The trivalent form is relatively innocuous but hexavalent chromium is toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic in nature, highly mobile in soil and aquatic system and is also a strong oxidant capable of being adsorbed by the skin. In our present study, areca nut husk powder of two different sieve sizes 250μm and 719μm were used in comparison with the same along with PES B (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) at 37ºC to form a biofilm. Various concentrations of chromium i.e., 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 ppm were treated with the adsorbent components. The amount of chromium from the sample was estimated using DPC method. It was found to reduce chromium to >50% in case of adsorbent with biofilm and up to 50% in case of adsorbent without biofilm for 50 ppm concentration showing maximum capacity. Hence, adsorbent with biofilm has a greater potential compared to adsorbent without biofilm for Cr (VI) bioremediation from polluted effluents.
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