Evaluation of Cr(VI) Reduction Using Indigenous Bacterial Consortium Isolated from a Municipal Wastewater Sludge: Batch and Kinetic Studies

Simultaneous conversion of chromium and malachite green coexists in halophilic bacterium Halomonas xianhensis SUR308 isolated from a solar saltern

Many industries are known to use heavy metals like chromium (Cr) to fix dyes in the fabrication processes and malachite green (MG) as colorant. Alkalinity, elevated temperature, or salinity of the industrial effluents makes conventional physicochemical removal of MG and hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] more difficult to apply and demands to perceive potential cost-effective and environment-friendly treatment methods to eliminate or convert them into less toxic compounds. Here, we report simultaneous removal and bioconversion of MG and Cr(VI) by a halophilic biofilm-forming bacterium Halomonas xianhensis SUR308. It can efficiently produce exopolysaccharides as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and form biofilm under oxygen limiting condition. The reduction of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] to trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] is about 100%, and 95% after 84 h of growth in shaken and stagnant culture, respectively. The strain completely decolorizes MG after 48 h of growth in shaken culture. Furthermore, we found that strain SUR308 can efficiently detoxify chromium by reduction and degrades MG via producing various intermediate products simultaneously. Most interestingly, such conversions can also take place in alkaline environment and in environment where substantial amount of salt is present. These unique features of strain SUR308 make it suitable for the simultaneous remediation of toxic heavy metals and hazardous dye even from the environment having higher pH and salinity. The detail molecular mechanism of the bioconversion with its application in open environment would be the future research focus for bioprospecting strain SUR308.

Study on Optimum Preparation Conditions of ZnIn2S4 to Effectively Reduce Cr(VI) under Visible Light Radiation

Previous studies have displayed various conclusions about the effect of preparation factors on the photoreduction property of ZnIn2S4. Therefore, it is not easy to figure out the optimal preparation conditions of ZnIn2S4 for Cr(VI) photoreduction. To ensure Cr(VI) reduction efficiency, various ZnIn2S4 photocatalysts were prepared in different solvents (i.e., water and ethylene glycol) and temperatures (i.e., 120 °C, 150 °C and 180°C). Different characterization methods were used to explain the difference in optical performance and photocatalytic property among the obtained samples. The results show that all the samples exhibit a similar band gap. The reaction solvent and temperature have a great influence on the surface morphology and optical property, leading to the different photocatalytic properties. ZnIn2S4 synthesized at 120 °C in the solvothermal condition shows the optimal efficiency on Cr(VI) photoreduction due to the effective utilization of photo-induced carriers. The reasonable analysis and effective conclusion presented may provide the optimal synthesis method of ZnIn2S4 to effectively remove Cr(VI) from water environment.

Sustainable and efficient technologies for removal and recovery of toxic and valuable metals from wastewater: Recent progress, challenges, and future perspectives

Due to their numerous effects on human health and the natural environment, water contamination with heavy metals and metalloids, caused by their extensive use in various technologies and industrial applications, continues to be a huge ecological issue that needs to be urgently tackled. Additionally, within the circular economy management framework, the recovery and recycling of metals-based waste as high value-added products (VAPs) is of great interest, owing to their high cost and the continuous depletion of their reserves and natural sources. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art technologies developed for the removal and recovery of metal pollutants from wastewater by providing an in-depth understanding of their remediation mechanisms, while analyzing and critically discussing the recent key advances regarding these treatment methods, their practical implementation and integration, as well as evaluating their advantages and remaining limitations. Herein, various treatment techniques are covered, including adsorption, reduction/oxidation, ion exchange, membrane separation technologies, solvents extraction, chemical precipitation/co-precipitation, coagulation-flocculation, flotation, and bioremediation. A particular emphasis is placed on full recovery of the captured metal pollutants in various reusable forms as metal-based VAPs, mainly as solid precipitates, which is a powerful tool that offers substantial enhancement of the remediation processes' sustainability and cost-effectiveness. At the end, we have identified some prospective research directions for future work on this topic, while presenting some recommendations that can promote sustainability and economic feasibility of the existing treatment technologies.