Chromium speciation, mobility, and Cr(VI) retention-release processes in ultramafic rocks and Fe-Ni lateritic deposits of Greece

Control of paleoclimate and paleoweathering on chromium contents in a non-ultramafic aquifer hosting high chromium groundwater

Cr(VI) is a carcinogen with proven mutagenic and genotoxic effects. The effects of the depositional environment (e.g., paleoweathering, paleoclimate, and paleoredox condition) on Cr enrichment in non-ultramafic aquifer solids are unclear. In this study, we presented the sedimentary characteristics of a borehole from a typical non-ultramafic aquifer with high Cr groundwater in Jingbian, central Ordos Basin, China. Chromium was enriched in the K1h sandstone aquifer, especially at depths of 400-500 m, with the highest value of mass transport coefficient (τAl,Cr) up to 92.13% and τAl,Fe up to 33.5%. The provenance of aquifer Cr was predominantly intermediate and felsic igneous rocks with a mafic rock mixture. This mafic source was inferred from Cr-rich granodiorite and mafic/ultramafic rocks in the Yinshan (Daqingshan-Wulashan) Block, northern Ordos Basin. The Cr-rich aquifer in K1h was developed due to a moderate chemical index of alteration (CIA) (mean, 56.7) under relatively warm and humid paleoclimate, as evidenced by high CIA-temperature (CIA-Temp) (mean, 6.79 °C) and paleoclimatic index values (mean, 0.40). Fe-Mn redox cycling in the oxic to suboxic environments contributed to aquifer Cr accumulation. Using path analysis, we identified that paleoclimate created favorable weathering conditions and enrichment of Fe contributed to the formation of high-Cr aquifers. The study reveals the formation of positive Cr anomalies in non-ultramafic aquifers, which is the potential source of groundwater Cr, and highlights the effects of depositional factors on Cr accumulation during aquifer deposition or early diagenesis. It can provide new insights into the natural processes of high-Cr sediments occurring in non-ultramafic aquifers.

Mathematical modeling of constructed wetlands for hexavalent chromium removal

Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been extensively used in Cr(VI) removal and have proven their ability to achieve high removal efficiencies. Although, numerous studies have been published in the past years presenting experimental results of CWs treating wastewater with Cr(VI) concentrations, a mathematical modeling describing the processes for Cr(VI) removal in CWs is lacking. In this work a mathematical model was developed, able to accurately describe the main mechanisms and reactions (i.e. biological reduction, plant biomass uptake-sorption) which are responsible for Cr(VI) removal in a wetland system. The model was calibrated and validated using data from a previously reported experimental study of horizontal subsurface CWs. Mathematical simulation indicates that in an unplanted wetland Cr(VI) was mainly removed through the diffusion/reduction process inside biofilm, attached on the porous media, while in the planted unit Cr(VI) was mainly removed through the sorption process to the root system of the plants. The developed model's simulations showed high correlation between predicted and experimental data, indicating that the proposed model can be used to design and predict full scale constructed wetland process for Cr(VI) removal.

Is Cr(III) re-oxidation occurring in Cr-contaminated soils after remediation: Meta-analysis and machine learning prediction

Whether Cr(III) in Cr(III)-containing sites formed after Cr(VI) reduction and stabilization remediation are re-oxidized and pose toxicity risks again has been a growing concern. In this study, 1030 data were collected to perform a meta-analysis to clarify the effects of various factors (oxidant type, soil and Cr(III) solid compound properties, aging conditions, and testing methods) on Cr(III) oxidation. We observed that the soil properties of clay, pH ≥ 8, the lower CEC capacity, easily reducible Mn content, and Cr(III) content, and the higher Eh value and Fe content can promote the re-oxidation of Cr(III). Publication bias and sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability and reliability of the meta-analysis. Subsequently, we used five machine learning algorithms to construct and optimize the models. The prediction results of the RF model (RMSE <1.36, R2 >0.71) with good algorithm performance showed that after ten years of remediation, the extractable Cr(VI) concentration in the soil was 0.0087 mg/L, indicating a negligible secondary pollution risk of Cr(III) re-oxidation. This study provides theoretical support for subsequent risk management and control after Cr(VI) soil remediation and provides a solution for the quantitative prediction of Cr(III) re-oxidation.

Release of chromium from Cr(III)- and Ni(II)-substituted goethite in presence of organic acids: Role of pH in the formation of colloids and complexes

High levels of Cr(III) are hosted in Fe (oxyhydr)oxides in soils derived on (ultra)mafic rocks, which can pose potential risks to the environment. Organic acids can cause the solubilization of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides and the release of Cr(III). However, the release behaviors of Cr(III) from Fe (oxyhydr)oxides by organic acids and its main factors remain unclear. This study investigates the speciation of Cr released from Cr(III)-substituted goethite in the presence of citrate and oxalate and the effects of pH (3-7). Batch experiments showed that Fe(III) and Cr(III) dissolution were significantly enhanced by citrate and oxalate, and the extent of dissolution was negatively correlated with pH. When at relatively high pH (5-7), AF4-ICP-MS results revealed that large proportions of dissolved Fe (>58 %) and Cr (18 %-73 %) were presented in the form of Cr(III)-citrate colloids in the sizes of 1-125 nm and 125-350 nm. Further, FTIR and cryogenic XPS characterization demonstrated that the formation of·Cr(III)-citrate colloids was attributed to the adsorption and complexation of citrate on the substituted goethite surface. However, Cr was mainly released as soluble Cr(III)-organic complexes when presented at pH 3. While low pH inhibited the formation of Cr(III)-organic colloids, it promoted the release of Cr by facilitating the dissociation of surface Cr(III)-organic complexes. In addition, the incorporation of Ni(II) in Cr(III)-substituted goethite weakened the adsorption of organic acid by shortening the crystal size of goethite, thus significantly inhibiting the formation of Cr(III)-organic complexes and colloids. This study confirms the formation of Cr(III)-organic acid colloids and highlights the importance of pH on Cr release behavior, which is essential for evaluating Cr transport and fate in soils with high background values.

Progress in phytoremediation of chromium from the environment

As chromium (Cr) in ecosystems affects human health through food chain exposure, phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly and efficient way to reduce chromium pollution in the environment. Here, we review the mechanism of absorption, translocation, storage, detoxification, and regulation of Cr in plants. The Cr(VI) form is more soluble, mobile, and toxic than Cr(III), reflecting how various valence states of Cr affect environmental risk characteristics, physicochemical properties, toxicity, and plant uptake. Plant root's response to Cr exposure leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis. Cell wall immobilization, vacuole compartmentation, interaction of defense proteins and organic ligand with Cr, and removal of reactive oxygen species by antioxidants continue plant life. In addition, the combined application of microorganisms, genetic engineering, and the addition of organic acids, nanoparticles, fertilization, soil amendments, and other metals could accelerate the phytoremediation process. This review provides efficient methods to investigate and understand the complex changes of Cr metabolism in plants. Preferably, fast-growing, abundantly available biomass species should be modified to mitigate Cr pollution in the environment as these green and efficient remediation technologies are necessary for the protection of soil and water ecology.

Relative Contribution of Metal Content and Soil Particle Mass to Health Risk of Chromium-Contaminated Soil

Three soil samples from a chromium (Cr)-contaminated field were classified into five particle fractions (i.e., 0–50 μm, 50–100 μm, 100–250 μm, 250–500 μm, and 500–1000 μm) and were further characterized to study their physicochemical properties and Cr bioaccessibility. The results indicated that the gastrointestinal bioaccessibility estimated by the Solubility Bioaccessibility Research Consortium (SBRC) method was on average 15.9% higher than that by the physiologically based extraction test (PBET) method. The health risk of all samples was within the safe range, and the health risk based on total Cr content may be overestimated by an average of 13.2 times compared to the bioaccessibility-based health risk. The health risk investigated from metal content was mainly contributed by the 50–250 μm fraction, which was 47.5, 50.2, and 43.5% for low-, medium-, and high-level polluted soils, respectively. As for the combined effect, the fractions of 100–250 μm and 500–1000 μm contributed the highest proportion to health risk, which was 57.1, 62.1, and 64.4% for low-level, medium-level, and high-level polluted soils, respectively. These results may further deepen the understanding of health risk assessment and quantify the contribution of the soil particle mass to health risk.