Chromium Monitoring in Water by Colorimetry Using Optimised 1,5-Diphenylcarbazide Method

Integrated tea polyphenols and polydopamine functionalized graphene anode for improved bioelectricity generation and Cr(VI) reduction in microbial fuel cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have the dual advantage of mitigating Cr(Ⅵ) wastewater ecological threats while generating electricity. However, the low electron transfer efficiency and the limited enrichment of active electrogens are barriers to MFCs advancement. This study describes the synthesis of the TP-PDA-RGO@CC negative electrode using tea polyphenol as a reducing agent and polydopamine-doped graphene, significantly enhances the roughness and hydrophilicity of the anode. The charge transfer resistance was reduced by 94%, and the peak MFC power was 1375.80 mW m-2. Under acidic conditions, the Cr(Ⅵ) reduction rate reached 92% within 24 h, with a 52% increase in coulombic efficiency. Biodiversity analysis shows that the TP-PDA-RGO@CC anode could enrich electrogens, thereby boosting the electron generation mechanism at the anode and enhancing the reduction efficiency of Cr(Ⅵ) in the cathode chamber. This work emphasizes high-performance anode materials for efficient pollutant removal, energy conversion, and biomass reuse.

La-doped MIL-88B(Fe)-NH2: a mixed-metal-organic framework photocatalyst for highly efficient reduction of Cr(vi) in an aqueous solution

With the aim to resolve the problem of water pollution, we herein propose a new photocatalyst based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), called La-doped MIL-88B(Fe)-NH2 (MIL-88B((1 - x)Fe/xLa)-NH2), which was designed and employed for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(vi) in aqueous solutions. MIL-88B((1-x)Fe/xLa)-NH2 materials with different x values were synthesized via a one-pot solvothermal method. Their characteristics were investigated using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). We found that compared to pristine MIL-88B(Fe)-NH2 with a photocatalytic efficiency of 67.08, MIL-88B((1 - x)Fe/xLa)-NH2 materials with x = 0.010, 0.025 and 0.050 exhibit excellent photocatalytic efficiencies reaching 88.21, 81.19 and 80.26%, respectively, after only 30 minutes of irradiation at a small catalyst dosage of 0.2 g L-1. These La-doped MIL-88B(Fe)-NH2 photocatalysts can work well under mild conditions (pH = 6). Furthermore, they are robust-can be recycled for at least four consecutive runs without any activity loss. This novel material is promising for the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants.

A PadR family transcriptional repressor regulates the transcription of chromate efflux transporter in Enterobacter sp. Z1

Chromium is a prevalent toxic heavy metal, and chromate [Cr(VI)] exhibits high mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. The presence of the Cr(VI) efflux protein ChrA has been identified in strains exhibiting resistance to Cr(VI). Nevertheless, certain strains of bacteria that are resistant to Cr(VI) lack the presence of ChrB, a known regulatory factor. Here, a PadR family transcriptional repressor, ChrN, has been identified as a regulator in the response of Enterobacter sp. Z1(CCTCC NO: M 2019147) to Cr(VI). The chrN gene is cotranscribed with the chrA gene, and the transcriptional expression of this operon is induced by Cr(VI). The binding capacity of the ChrN protein to Cr(VI) was demonstrated by both the tryptophan fluorescence assay and Ni-NTA purification assay. The interaction between ChrN and the chrAN operon promoter was validated by reporter gene assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Mutation of the conserved histidine residues His14 and His50 resulted in loss of ChrN binding with the promoter of the chrAN operon. This observation implies that these residues are crucial for establishing a DNA-binding site. These findings demonstrate that ChrN functions as a transcriptional repressor, modulating the cellular response of strain Z1 to Cr(VI) exposure.

Do chromium-resistant bacterial symbionts of hyperaccumulator Callitriche cophocarpa support their host in phytobial remediation of water?

Callitriche cophocarpa Sendtn. is a macrophyte widely distributed in aquatic systems of the temperate climate zone and a known hyperaccumulator of chromium. Ten pure symbiotic bacterial isolates of C. cophocarpa were obtained and identified. Three of the isolates showed the highest resistance to Cr(VI): Microbacterium sp. (Ct1), Aeromonas sp. (Ct3) and Acinetobacter sp. (Ct6). Acinetobacter sp. (Ct6) was able to survive up to a concentration of 104 mg/L (2 mM). The isolates were also able to effectively detoxify Cr(VI) by reducing it to Cr(III). We tested whether inoculation of plants with a consortium consisting of Ct1, Ct3 and Ct6 affects: (1) the phytoextraction of chromium from leachates, (2) the physiological state of plants after Cr(VI) treatment. The solutions were landfill leachates and contained 10.7 mg/L of Cr(VI) - an amount 530 times exceeding the legal limits. We influenced the plants with Cr in two steps, each lasting for 10 days, first using mature shoots and then apical ones. The highest Cr content concomitant with the highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) were found in the inoculated plants: 1274 and 119 mg/kg dry mass (d.m.), respectively. The physiological status of the plants was assessed by biometric tests and advanced chlorophyll fluorescence analyses. The photosynthetic activity of mature shoots was influenced by Cr(VI) more negatively than that of young apical shoots. The inoculation with the bacterial consortium significantly reduced the negative effect of Cr(VI) on mature organs. In some cases the inoculated mature plants exhibited photosynthetic activity that was even higher than in the control plants. The results unequivocally show a beneficial effect of C. cophocarpa inoculation with the tested isolates resulting in a significant improvement of the phytoremediation properties of this aquatic chromium hyperaccumulator.

Isolation of chromium resistant bacteria from tannery waste and assessment of their chromium reducing capabilities - A Bioremediation Approach

Every year different industries generate numerous toxic environmental polluting agents throughout the world. Among the polluting agents, chromium (Cr) toxicity is a great concern nowadays. It is continuously released in soil and water, causing environmental and health problems thereby raising several public health issues in developing countries like Bangladesh. The primary goal of this study was to provide a bioremediation option to reduce toxic hexavalent chromium to a less toxic trivalent form by isolating chromium resistant bacteria from Cr contaminated environments. Bacterial isolates were obtained from seven tannery waste samples collected from Hazaribag and Hemayetpur, Savar, Dhaka. Twenty morphologically distinct colonies were screened, of which six showed the highest resistance. These were designated as A1, A2, B1, F1, K1, and P1. Their maximum tolerance to Cr (VI) was determined through growth assays in varying chromium concentrations up to 8000 mg/L on LB agar media. Strains A2 and B1 exhibited the highest resistances to chromium at 7700 mg/L and 7200 mg/L respectively. Bacterial strains A2 and B1 were identified through several biochemical tests and after PCR analysis finally identified as Bacillus sp. and Micrococcus sp. respectively. Their Cr (VI) reduction capabilities were assessed quantitatively using the diphenylcarbazide colorimetric assay. Both strains exhibit approximately 100% reduction of chromium from 100 mg/L concentration to non-toxic form within 48 h using accurate analytical methods. This study demonstrates the isolation of highly chromium-resistant bacteria from tannery waste that can efficiently bioremediate Cr (VI) pollution, thus providing an eco-friendly and cost-effective bioremediation approach.

Experimental validation off-line a nonlinear controller for removal of chromium using non-living cells of Yarrowia lipolytica

The removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] using non-living cells of Yarrowia lipolytica was investigated. Batch and continuous studies on removal of Cr (VI) achieved 97% and 99% removal from aqueous phase, respectively. The specific uptake values at pH of 2 in batch process were 40.73 ± 1.3 mg/g and 30.09 ± 0.23 mg/g on non-living cells, when 100 and 200 mg/L of metal Cr (VI) concentrations were used. In order to investigate the regulation of Cr (VI) under continuous operation based on reaction volume numerically a new class of feedback controller from structure polynomial was designed. The proposed methodology was used to an experimentally kinetic model for a removal Cr (VI) from Yarrowia lipolytica biomass was showed satisfactory closed-loop performance the proposed controller. Starting from an off-line optimization performed in simulation, we present the controller implementation, focussing on the methodology required to could be suitable for implementation in real time. In our experimental results, we highlight some discrepancies between simulation and reality despite these differences, the controller managed to perform convergence to removal Cr (VI). Finally, the results validated with off-line samples suggest that the proposed control could be suitable for in application in potential scenarios for wastewater treatment.

Microfluidics in environmental analysis: advancements, challenges, and future prospects for rapid and efficient monitoring

Microfluidic devices have emerged as advantageous tools for detecting environmental contaminants due to their portability, ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and rapid response capabilities. These devices have wide-ranging applications in environmental monitoring of air, water, and soil matrices, and have also been applied to agricultural monitoring. Although several previous reviews have explored microfluidic devices' utility, this paper presents an up-to-date account of the latest advancements in this field for environmental monitoring, looking back at the past five years. In this review, we discuss devices for prominent contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, nutrients, microorganisms, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), etc. We cover numerous detection methods (electrochemical, colorimetric, fluorescent, etc.) and critically assess the current state of microfluidic devices for environmental monitoring, highlighting both their successes and limitations. Moreover, we propose potential strategies to mitigate these limitations and offer valuable insights into future research and development directions.

Modification of cellulosic adsorbent via iron-based metal phenolic networks coating for efficient removal of chromium ion

Surface modification of durian rind cellulose (DCell) was done by utilizing the strong coordination effect of polyphenol-based metal phenolic networks (MPNs). MPNs from Fe(III)-tannic acid (FTN) and Fe(III)-gallic acid (FGN) were coated on DCell via a self-assembly reaction at pH 8, resulting in adsorbent composites of FTN@DCell and FGN@DCell for removal of Cr(VI). Batch adsorption experiments revealed that FTN coating resulted in an adsorbent composite with higher adsorption capacity than FGN coating, owing to the greater number of additional adsorption sites from phenolic hydroxyl groups of tannic acid. FTN@DCell exhibits an equilibrium adsorption capacity at 30°C of 110.9 mg/g for Cr(VI), significantly higher than FGN@DCell (73.63 mg/g); the adsorption capacity was increased at higher temperature (i.e., 155.8 and 116.8 mg/g at 50°C for FTN@DCell and FGN@DCell, respectively). Effects of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, and coexisting ions on Cr(VI) removal were investigated. The kinetics fractal-based model Brouers-Sotolongo indicates the 1st and 2nd order reaction for Cr(VI) adsorption on FTN@DCell and FGN@DCell, respectively. The isotherm data can be described with a fractal-based model, which implies the heterogeneous nature of the adsorbent surface sites. The Cr(VI) adsorption via surface complexation with phenolic hydroxyl groups was confirmed by evaluating the functional groups shifting. FGN@DCell and FTN@DCell were found to have good reusability, maintaining over 50 % of their adsorption efficiency after four adsorption-desorption cycles. Environmental assessment with Arabidopsis thaliana demonstrated their potential in eliminating the Cr(VI) phytotoxic effect. Thus, this study has shown the efficient and economical conversion of durian waste into environmentally benign adsorbent for heavy metal treatment.

The visible-light-driven photocatalytic reduction of Cr6+ using BiVO4: assessing the effect of Au deposition and the reaction parameters

In this work, fern-leaf-like BiVO4 was used to photocatalytically reduce Cr6+ in water. Nanosized BiVO4 displayed bandgap energy and specific surface area of 2.49 eV and 5.65 m2 g-1, respectively. Metallic Au nanoparticles were deposited on the BiVO4 to increase the photocatalytic performance. To optimize the reaction conditions, the sacrificial agents methanol, ethanol, formic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide, and KI were tested, while different catalyst dosages and Au loadings were assessed. The best sacrificial agent was formic acid, which was used at an optimal concentration of 0.01 mol L-1. The complete removal of Cr6+ was attained after 90 min of visible light irradiation using a catalyst dosage of 1.5 g L-1. Depositing metallic Au nanoparticles barely improved the photocatalytic performance, thus unmodified BiVO4 was used to remove Cr6+ in tap water. The matrix effect slowed the photocatalytic process, and the complete removal of Cr6+ was achieved in 120 min. Cr3+ and Cr6+ species were precipitated on the catalyst surface at the end of the photocatalytic process; still, BiVO4 displayed high stability after three reaction cycles.

Improving the practicality of recombinant Escherichia coli biosensor in detecting trace Cr(VI) by modifying the cryogenic storage conditions of biosensors and applying simple pretreatment

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a global environmental pollutant. To reduce the risk caused by Cr(VI), a simple, accurate, reproducible, and inexpensive method for quantifying Cr(VI) in water and soil should be developed. In this study, three types of recombinant Escherichia coli biosensors (namely T7-lux-E. coli, T3-lux-E. coli, and SP6-lux-E. coli biosensor) containing promoters (T7, T3, and SP6), chromate-sensing regulator chrB, and the reporter gene luxAB were constructed. This study investigated the effects of cryogenic freezing temperature and time on trace Cr(VI) measurement by using recombinant E. coli biosensors. The results indicated that the activity of thawed frozen SP6-lux-E. coli cells stored at -20 °C for 270 days did not differ from that of freshly prepared cells. Turbidity and conductivity in water samples and organic matter in soil interfered with Cr(VI) measurement using the biosensor. The SP6-lux-E. coli biosensor exhibited a wide measurement range and a low deviation of <5% for measuring Cr(VI) in various Cr(VI)-contaminated water and soil samples and required only a simple pretreatment or extraction process even after 270-day storage at -20 °C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the use of recombinant biosensors for accurately measuring Cr(VI) in both water and soil.

Docking assisted mechanistic elucidation of bio conversion of hexavalent chromium by Serratia marcescens AJRR-22 that is effective yet long term sustainable in bio-geosphere

Environmental accumulation of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in the food chain can induce detrimental effects on plants and animals, which calls for effective remediation strategies using biological entities. The bacterium isolated from an iron mine in Odisha, India, is identified asSerratia marcescensAJRR-22. This multi-metal tolerant strain is capable of bio-converting up to 350 mg/L Cr(VI) within 72 h of incubation. Observable electron dense precipitates in transmission electron microscopic images, data patterns in fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry clearly reveal the chromate reduction ability of the strain. The molecular study is depicted by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses. Furthermore, a simulation study to estimate the interactions of chromium bound flavin reductasewith predicted docked complexes suggests significant negative Gibbs free energy and a low inhibition constant (Ki), signifying strong spontaneous binding of Cr(VI) to the enzyme, which makes the strain an efficient candidate for chromium bioremediation.

Cr-Detector: A simple chemosensing system for onsite Cr (VI) detection in water

Due to the increase in urbanization and industrialization, the load of toxicants in the environment is alarming. The most common toxicants, including heavy metals and metalloids such as hexavalent Chromium, have severe pathophysiological impacts on humans and other aquatic biotas. Therefore, developing a portable rapid detection device for such toxicants in the aquatic environment is necessary. This work portrays the development of a field-portable image analysis device coupled with 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as a sensing probe for chromium (VI) detection in the aquatic ecosystem. Sensor parameters, such as reagent concentration, reaction time, etc., were optimized for the sensor development and validation using a commercial UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The chemoreceptor integrated with a uniform illumination imaging system (UIIS) revealed the system's applicability toward Cr(VI) detection. The calibration curve using the R-value of image parameters allows Cr(VI) detection in the linear range of 25 to 600 ppb, which covers the prescribed permissible limit by various regulatory authorities. Furthermore, the adjusted R2 = 0.992 of the linear fit and correlation coefficients of 0.99018 against the spectrophotometric method signifies the suitability of the developed system. This TMB-coupled field-portable sensing system is the first-ever reported image analysis-based technology for detecting a wide range of Cr(VI) in aquatic ecosystems to our knowledge.

Electrospray mass spectrometry method to prevent the reduction of hexavalent to pentavalent chromium

RATIONALE

Electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is one of the most effective methods for assessing the state of metals in solution. For ions with a redox potential close to ~0.55 V, such as Cr6+ , reduction of the metal in solution occurs in the ESI-MS system. In our studies, it was observed that [HCrO4 ]- undergoes reduction, resulting in the formation of [CrO3 ]- . The precise mechanism remains ambiguous. The reduction of hexavalent chromium to pentavalent chromium is supported by Frost diagrams, reinforcing our confidence in the validity of the ESI-MS measurement method. The reduction mechanism in ESI-MS was clarified, and a system was devised to eliminate electron donation during the reduction of Cr6+ in solution.

METHODS

To determine the state of Cr6+ by ESI-MS, CrO3 in solid form was dissolved in ultrapure water to prepare a solution of 500 × 10-6  mol/L (μM) concentration. The pH was adjusted to 4.0, 5.3, 6.3, 8.2 and 9.1 and subsequently measured. CrO3 solutions with various concentrations of 10, 100 and 500 μM were prepared and adjusted to a pH of ~7 using tetramethylammonium hydroxide to measure Cr6+ under different conditions.

RESULTS

Cr6+ in solution was soluble and existed as an oxoacid with a negative charge independent of pH. Cr6+ was stable over a wide pH range at various concentrations. The ESI-MS method determined the negative ion [HCrO4 ]- as the stable ion, but [CrO3 ]- was also present as a byproduct. Therefore, we were interested in the presence of other species, such as [CrO3 ]- , which could have formed owing to the reduction of Cr6+ .

CONCLUSIONS

In ESI-MS system, it undergoes reduction to form [CrO3 ]- . The high flow rate of ultrapure water in pump insulated the acceptance of electrons by Cr6+ preventing its reduction. Further in-depth ESI-MS studies could explain the complex formation and behavior of Cr6+ in aqueous solution.

Biogenic fabrication of ZnO@EC and MgO@EC using Eucalyptus leaf extract for the removal of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) ions from water

Zinc and magnesium oxide nanoparticles were fabricated using green synthesis method for the sequestration of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) from the aqueous medium. The biogenically prepared ZnO@EC and MgO@EC nanoparticles were successfully loaded on the Eucalyptus. The prepared nanomaterials were characterized using various techniques such as FESEM, TGA, XRD, EDX, FTIR, BET, and elemental mapping. FE-SEM analysis has revealed the surface morphology of ZnO nanoparticles, which were rod-like and spherical in shape, whereas MgO nanoparticles were of irregular shape. Batch mode was selected to remove the hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution using the prepared nanomaterials. The Cr(VI) adsorption was carried out under optimized conditions, viz., pH (3.0), adsorbent dose (0.05 g), contact time (150 min), temperature (25 ± 2 °C), and initial concentration (50 mg/L). The experimental results were compared using the different isotherm models; The observations have indicated that experimental data fit better with Freundlich (R2 = 0.99) and Langmuir (R2 = 0.99) isotherms, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of ZnO@EC and MgO@EC for Cr(VI) was found to be 49.3 and 17.4 mg/g, respectively. The regeneration study of the adsorbents was conducted using different desorbing agents viz., ethanol, NaOH, and NaCl. The desorbing agent NaOH performed better and showed removal percentage of 34.24% and 20.18% for ZnO@EC and MgO@EC, respectively, after the three reusability cycles. The kinetics of reaction was assessed using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The experimental data of both the nanomaterials ZnO@EC and MgO@EC obeyed pseudo-second-order model with correlation coefficient values 0.999 and 0.983, respectively. The thermodynamic study confirmed that adsorption was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. The adsorbents were tested for spiked real water which confirms their applicability and potential in real water systems also. The results indicated fair removal of chromium suggesting applicability of both adsorbents.

Reduced and oxidized rice straw biochar for hexavalent chromium adsorption: Revisiting the mechanism of adsorption

Surface oxygen functional groups of biochar were tuned by oxidation and reduction of biochar for establishing Cr(VI) adsorption mechanism. Oxygen functional groups (OFGs) on the surface of leached rice straw biochar (LBC4-6) obtained from pyrolysis at 400, 500 and 600 °C, were oxidized to furnish OBC4-6 using modified Hummer's method. Reduced biochar RBC4-6 were obtained by esterification and NaBH4/I2 reduction of oxidized biochar (OBC4-6). The modified biochar were characterized by increase in O/C and H/C ratio, respectively, in case of OBC4-6 and RBC4-6. The Cr(VI) adsorption by modified biochar LBC4-6, OBC4-6, and RBC4-6 showed optimum conditions of pH 3 and dose 0.1 g/L with a good non-linear fit for Langmuir & Freundlich isotherm. The maximum adsorption (Qm) followed the trend: OBC4 (17.47 mg/g) > RBC4 (15.23) > OBC5 (13.23) > LBC4 (10.23) > RBC5 (9.83) > OBC6 (9.60) > RBC6 (7.24) > LBC5 (6.32) > LBC6 (5.98). The adsorption kinetics for adsorption of Cr(VI) on to modified biochar fits pseudo second order (PSO), Elovich and intraparticle diffusion kinetics, showing a chemisorptions in case of biochar L/O/RBC4-6. The lower temperature modified biochar O/RBC4 show better Cr(VI) adsorption. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) studies establish optimum OFGs for reduction of Cr(VI) and chelation of the reduced Cr(III). Adsorption and stripping cycles show the oxidized and reduced biochar as better adsorbents with excellent stripping of Cr up to >98 % upon desorption with 1 M NaOH.

Exploring a unique water ecosystem under long-term exposure to hexavalent chromium - An in situ study of natural diatom (Bacillariophyceae) communities

This paper reports the third in a series of three studies of a unique aquatic phytobial consortium that developed in a polluted ditch situated near an old chromium waste landfill. The ditch is a specific ecological niche having increased loads of several chemical compounds, including extreme hexavalent chromium concentrations up to two thousand times the allowed limit (0.02 mg dm-3 in Poland) in the more polluted section B; the moderate concentrations in section A are twice the limit. We focus on the microscopic algae group of diatoms, one of the most important components of the phytobial consortium, and continue our novel attempt to analyze the bioremediation potential of the entire consortium under those environmental conditions. We used numerical methods to analyze differences in diatom biodiversity between sections A and B, and assessed the relations between diatoms and selected water chemistry properties, including hexavalent chromium, chlorides and sulphates, the latter two known to positively influence the resistance of algae to the impact of hexavalent chromium. We noted 37 diatom taxa in section A of the ditch and 30 in section B. The most frequently observed diatoms were cosmopolitan taxa and/or characteristic taxa of saline waters. Sulphates were the most important factor influencing the diatom composition in the ditch, explaining 52% of the total variability, followed by chlorides (30%) and hexavalent chromium (9%). Gomphonema acuminatum, Melosira varians and Nitzschia frustulum var. frustulum were found to be most resistant to hexavalent chromium and were selected for further experimental studies on their biotechnological usefulness.

Enhanced photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution using Fe0/TiO2-based polymeric nanocomposites

The combination of zerovalent iron (Fe0) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been investigated as a promising method for environmental remediation. However, it is a challenge to prepare conveniently desirable Fe0/TiO2 nanocomposites with excellent efficiency and reusability. Here, a novel nanocomposite material, Fe0/TiO2@D201, was synthesized to enhance the removal of Cr(VI) from an aqueous system by impregnating Fe0 and TiO2 inside a commercial anion exchanger (D201). The proposed structure and Cr(VI) removal mechanism of Fe0/TiO2@D201 were confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Compared to the monometallic samples (Fe0-D201 and TiO2-D201), Fe0/TiO2@D201 showed outstanding Cr(VI) removal and the removal ratio reached up to 97.30% after 120 min of UV light irradiation. The removal of Cr(VI) by Fe0/TiO2@D201 remained high (91.70%) even after four cycles, indicating the stability of the nanocomposites toward Cr(VI) removal and their strong potential for practical applications. The addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) positively affected the Cr(VI) reduction process, whereas the addition of Na2S2O8 negatively affected the Cr(VI) process. The XPS results revealed that the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) by Fe0/TiO2@D201 involved the capture of photoexcited electrons and Fe0 reduction. A path for the photogenerated electrons engaging in the reduction reaction to improve the utilization of Fe0 was proposed. These results demonstrate that Fe0/TiO2@D201 is a promising alternative composite catalyst for the efficient Cr(VI) removal from contaminated water.

Microfluidic paper-based device coupled with 3D printed imaging box for colorimetric detection in resource-limited settings

Rapid and effective methods for the detection of analytes such as water contaminants, food adulterants and biomolecules are essential for the protection of public health and environmental protection. Most of the currently established analytical techniques need sophisticated equipment, centralized testing facilities, costly operations, and trained personnel. Such limitations make them inaccessible to the general populace, particularly in regions with limited resources. The emergence of microfluidic devices offers a promising alternative to overcome several such constraints. This work describes a protocol for fabricating a low-cost, open-source paper-based microfluidic device using easily available tools and materials for colorimetric detection of analytes. The ease and simplicity of fabrication allow users to design customized devices. The device is coupled with an imaging box assembled from 3D printed parts to maintain uniform lighting conditions during analytical testing. The platform allows digital imaging using smartphones or cameras to instantaneously capture images of reaction zones on the device for quantitative analysis. The system is demonstrated for detecting hexavalent chromium, a toxic water contaminant. The image analysis is performed using open-source ImageJ for quantification of results. The approach demonstrated in this work can be readily adopted for a wide range of sensing applications.

MID-FTIR-PLS Chemometric Analysis of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solutions Using a Polymer Inclusion Membrane-Based Sensor

A partial least squares (PLS) quantitative chemometric method based on the analysis of the mid-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (MID-FTIR) spectrum of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) used for the extraction of Cr(VI) from aqueous media is developed. The system previously optimized considering the variables membrane composition, extraction time, and pH, is characterized in terms of its adsorption isotherm, distribution coefficient, extraction percent, and enrichment factor. A Langmuir-type adsorption behavior with KL = 2199 cm3/mmol, qmax = 0.188 mmol/g, and 0 < RL < 1 indicates that metal adsorption is favorable. The characterization of the extraction reaction is performed as well, showing a 1:1 Cr(VI):Aliquat 336 ratio, in agreement with solvent extraction data. The principal component analysis (PCA) of the PIMs reveals a complex pattern, which is satisfactorily simplified and related to Cr(VI) concentrations through the use of a variable selection method (iPLS) in which the bands in the ranges 3451-3500 cm-1 and 3751-3800 cm-1 are chosen. The final PLS model, including the 100 wavelengths selected by iPLS and 10 latent variables, shows excellent parameter values with root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) of 3.73115, root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) of 6.82685, bias of -1.91847 × 10-13, cross-validation (CV) bias of 0.185947, R2 Cal of 0.98145, R2 CV of 0.940902, recovery% of 104.02 ± 4.12 (α = 0.05), sensitivity% of 0.001547 ppb, analytical sensitivity (γ) of 3.8 ppb, γ-1: 0.6 ppb-1, selectivity of 0.0155, linear range of 5.8-100 ppb, limit of detection (LD) of 1.9 ppb, and limit of quantitation (LQ) of 5.8 ppb. The developed PIM sensor is easy to implement as it requires few manipulations and a reduced number of chemical compounds in comparison to other similar reported systems.

A novel cationic covalent organic framework as adsorbent for simultaneous removal of methyl orange and hexavalent chromium

The simultaneous removal of toxic, carcinogenic organic dyes and metal ions from water by one material offers significant advantages when fast, facile, and robust water purification is required. Ionic covalent organic frameworks (ICOFs) have the combined properties of COFs and ion exchange resins and are expected to achieve simultaneous capture of heavy metal ions and organic dyes from water. Herein, a novel guanidinium-based ICOF was synthesized using a solvothermal method. Benefitting from the cationic character, porosity and nanoscale pore size of ICOFs, the adsorbent exhibited high simultaneous adsorption capacities of 290 mg g-1 and 158 mg g-1 for methyl orange (MO) and Cr(vi), respectively, and retained more than 90% adsorption capacity after six adsorption-desorption cycles. In addition, based on dual control of size-exclusion and charge-selection, precisely selective adsorption is achieved towards diverse mixed anionic and cationic pollutants. This strategy offers a practical solution for COFs to confront environmental pollution issues.

Microfluidic Devices for Heavy Metal Ions Detection: A Review

The contamination of air, water and soil by heavy metal ions is one of the most serious problems plaguing the environment. These metal ions are characterized by a low biodegradability and high chemical stability and can affect humans and animals, causing severe diseases. In addition to the typical analysis methods, i.e., liquid chromatography (LC) or spectrometric methods (i.e., atomic absorption spectroscopy, AAS), there is a need for the development of inexpensive, easy-to-use, sensitive and portable devices for the detection of heavy metal ions at the point of interest. To this direction, microfluidic and lab-on-chip (LOC) devices fabricated with novel materials and scalable microfabrication methods have been proposed as a promising approach to realize such systems. This review focuses on the recent advances of such devices used for the detection of the most important toxic metal ions, namely, lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) ions. Particular emphasis is given to the materials, the fabrication methods and the detection methods proposed for the realization of such devices in order to provide a complete overview of the existing technology advances as well as the limitations and the challenges that should be addressed in order to improve the commercial uptake of microfluidic and LOC devices in environmental monitoring applications.

The evaluation of bacterial-augmented floating treatment wetlands for concomitant removal of phenol and chromium from contaminated water

Contamination of aquatic ecosystems with organic and inorganic contaminants is a global threat due to their hazardous effects on the environment and human health. Floating treatment wetland (FTW) technology is a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to existing treatment approaches. It consists of a buoyant mat in which wetland plants can grow and develop their roots in a suspended manner and can be implemented to treat stormwater, municipal wastewater, and industrial effluents. Here we explored the potential of bacterial-augmented FTWs for the concurrent remediation of phenol and hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) contaminated water and evaluated treated water toxicity using Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) as a test plant. The FTWs carrying Phragmites australis L. (common reed) were inoculated with a consortium of four bacterial strains (Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN, Acinetobacter lwofii ACRH76, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PJRS20, Bacillus sp. PJRS25) and evaluated for their potential to simultaneously remove phenol and chromium (Cr) from contaminated water. Results revealed that the FTWs efficiently improved water quality by removing phenol (86%) and Cr (80%), with combined use of P. australis and bacterial consortium after 50 days. The phytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the germination of wheat seed (96%) was significantly higher where bacterial-augmented FTWs treated water was used compared to untreated water. This pilot-scale study highlights that the combined application of wetland plants and bacterial consortium in FTWs is a promising approach for concomitant abatement of phenol and Cr from contaminated water, especially for developing countries like Pakistan where the application of advanced and expensive technologies is limited.

Synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles mediated by Camellia sinensis var. Assamica for Cr(VI) adsorption and detoxification

Environment-benign synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) are of great importance. Plant-based polyphenols (PPs) are electron donor analytes for the synthesis of metal and metal oxide NPs. This work produced and investigated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) from PPs of tea leaves of Camellia sinensis var. assamica for Cr(VI) removal. The conditions for IONPs synthesis were using RSM CCD and found to be optimum at a time of 48 min, temperature of 26 °C, and iron precursors/leaves extract ratio (v/v) of 0.36. Further, these synthesized IONPs at a dosage of 0.75 g/L, temperature of 25 °C, and pH 2 achieved a maximum of 96% Cr(VI) removal from 40 mg/L of Cr(VI) concentration. The exothermic adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model, and Langmuir isotherm estimated a remarkable maximum adsorption capacity (Q_m) of 1272 mg g^-1 of IONPs. The proposed mechanistic for Cr(VI) removal and detoxification involved adsorption and its reduction to Cr(III), followed by Cr(III)/Fe(III) co-precipitation.

Metal-Organic Framework-Based Fiber Optic Sensor for Chromium(VI) Detection

This study demonstrates a novel fiber optic sensing strategy for selective adsorption and rapid detection of Cr(VI) ions by exploiting a suitable metal-organic framework matrix and the characteristic spectral absorption of Cr(VI) at 395 nm wavelength, respectively. U-bent fiber optic sensor (U-FOS) probes that exhibit remarkably high evanescent wave-based absorbance sensitivity were employed to efficiently detect the Cr(VI) ions that are adsorbed to a stable zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) matrix immobilized on the probe surface. A facile technique was developed for the fabrication of ZIF-67-coated U-FOS probes (FOS/ZIF-67) involving an in situ deposition process followed by heat treatment. Selectivity of the FOS/ZIF-67 probes to Cr(VI) was confirmed by optical absorption spectral investigations with 14 other heavy metals and interfering ions. The sensor performance was evaluated with a compact light-emitting diode-photodetector-based setup. FOS/ZIF-67 probes demonstrate an ability to detect Cr(VI) ions with a limit of detection of 1 ppb and a wide linear dynamic range from 0.005 to 100 ppm within a short response time of 5 to 10 min. These sensors show good recovery rates with real water samples and a shelf-life of at least 4 weeks under ambient conditions, thereby demonstrating their viability for real-world application.

A novel double metal-dithizone functionalized polyurethane electrospun nanofiber and film for colorimetric determination of hexavalent chromium

This work proposes a highly specific method of Cr⁶⁺ determination based on the double reactions of two metals, Co²⁺ with dithizone to form a (DTZ)-Co²⁺ complex, and the replacement of Co²⁺ in the formed complex with Cr⁶⁺. The fast degradation of DTZ in solution in wet analysis was overcome by preparing dithizone functionalized polyurethane nanofibers that were electrospun into a membrane (DTZ/PU-NF) and a microwell plate film (DTZ/PU-MPF). For comparison, the performance of diphenylcarbazide (DPC), a currently used complexing agent for Cr⁶⁺, was also investigated. Colour changes were detected as red-green-blue values. The DTZ/PU-NF was smooth, with an average diameter of 384.09 nm and no bead appeared. A dense network structure was formed. The best formulation of DTZ, PU and Co²⁺ was also applied as a microwell plate film. In the presence of Cr⁶⁺, the colour of DTZ-Co²⁺ changed from red to magenta. Among the three studied methods, the colorimetric DTZ-Co²⁺/PU-NF presented the best results. Its linearity range was 0.001-1.0 mg L^-1, with a regression equation of Cr⁶⁺ = -0.189 + (0.0056 × red) + (0.0086 × green) - (0.0129 × blue), R ² of 0.990. The limit of detection was 0.001 mg L^-1 and the precision was 1.7%. The applicability of DTZ/PU-NF was validated for Cr⁶⁺ in vegetable oils with recoveries of 89.5-116.8%. The sensitivity of DTZ/PU-NF was ten times higher than that of DTZ/PU-MPF. The methods based on DTZ-Co²⁺/PU-NF and DTZ-Co²⁺/PU-MPF proved to be highly selective, rapid, user-friendly, simple and reliable.

Application of Salvinia sps. in remediation of reactive mixed azo dyes and Cr (VI) - Its pathway elucidation

The emerging industrialization has resulted in the rapid growth of textile industries across the globe. The presence of xenobiotic pollutants in textile wastewater threatens the ecosystem. Applying different microbes (bacteria, fungi & algae) has paved the way for phytoremediation - the eco-friendly, cost-effective method. The present study focuses on the phytoremediation of reactive dyes - Reactive red, Reactive Brown & Reactive Black and Cr (VI) in synthetic textile wastewater using Salvinia sps. The mixed azo dyes of each 100 mg/L showed decolourization of 75 ± 0.5% and 82 ± 0.5% of removal of 20 mg/L of Cr (VI) after eight days of incubation in a phytoreactor setup. Chlorophyll analysis revealed the gradual decrease in the photosynthetic pigments during the remediation. The degraded metabolites were analyzed using FT-IR and showed the presence of aromatic amines on day zero, which were converted to aliphatic amines on day four. The GC-MS analysis revealed the disruption of -NN- bond, rupture of -CN- bond, scission of -N-N-bond, and loss of -SO₃H from the Reactive Black dye leading to the formation of an intermediate p-Hydroxy phenylhydrazinyl. The rupture of Reactive red dye resulted in the formation of p-Hydrazinyl toluene sulphonic acid, Naphthyl amine -3,6-disulphonic acid and 8-Hydroxy Naphthyl amine -3,6-disulphonic acid. Decarboxylation, desulphonation, deoxygenation and deamination of Reactive Brown dye showed the presence of different metabolites and metabolic pathways were proposed for the reactive azo dyes which were phytoremediated.

Multivariable modeling, optimization and experimental study of Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution using peanut shell biochar

Peanut shell biomass was selected and utilized to produce biochar through pyrolysis under N₂ atmosphere at 923 K. After studying various effects of experimental parameters and by statistical modeling and optimization by RSM using Box-Benken design, optimized conditions of pH 2.0 ± 0.1, temperature 303 K, and adsorbent dose used of 2.5 g L^-1 were obtained giving almost 99.99% removal for Cr(VI) from the solution. FESEM, FTIR, XRD, XPS, EDX, elemental mapping, and pH_zpc were used for the evaluation of the surface characteristics of peanut shell biochar (PSB). Studies revealed C-O, C-H, CO, and O-H functional groups' presence with the help of FTIR, majorly in control of adsorption mechanism and the EDX confirmed the presence of Cr(VI) onto peanut shell biochar (PSB). Further adsorption mechanism for Cr(VI) adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order rate with adsorption capacity of 29.38 mg g^-1 given by the Langmuir isotherm. The thermodynamic study confirmed the exothermic and spontaneous nature of the process for Cr(VI) adsorption onto PSB. The adsorption mechanism showed electrostatic attraction, reduction, and complexation mainly responsible for Cr(VI) adsorption by PSB. Thus, PSB effectively removes Cr(VI) is confirmed by the present study.

Evaluation of Heavy Metal Removal of Nanoparticles Based Adsorbent Using Danio rerio as Model

Nanoparticles are potential candidates for wastewater treatment especially for the removal of heavy metals due to their strong affinity. Many biopolymers are used as adsorbents and encapsulation of nanoparticle onto them can increase their efficiency. In this study, SPIONs, alginate, and SPIONs incorporated on alginate beads have been synthesized and characterized both microscopically and spectroscopically. These were then used for the removal of chromium metal and the percentage of removal was evaluated using a batch adsorption study. The percent removal of chromium using SPIONs, alginate and alginate-SPIONs beads were recorded to be 93%, 91% and 94%, respectively. The adsorption of chromium using SPIONs and alginate-SPIONs beads followed the Tempkin isotherm, whereas adsorption of chromium metal by alginate beads was found to be homogeneous in nature and followed the Langmuir isotherm with an R² value of 0.9784. An in-vivo study using Danio rerio as a model organism was done to examine the toxicity and the removal efficiency of the samples. It was observed that chromium water treated with alginate-SPIONs beads, which were removed after water treatment showed less damage to the fishes when compared to SPIONs and alginate beads treated with chromium water where the SPIONs and alginate beads were not removed after the treatment period.

Ecological effects, remediation, distribution, and sensing techniques of chromium

Chromium is detected in most ecosystems due to the increased anthropogenic activities in addition to that developed from natural pollution. Chromium contamination in the food chain results due to its persistent and non-degradable nature. The release of chromium in the ecosystem accretes and thereafter impacts different life forms, including humans, aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Leaching of chromium into the ground and surface water triggers several health ailments, such as dermatitis, eczematous skin, allergic reactions, mucous and skin membrane ulcerations, allergic asthmatic reactions, bronchial carcinoma and gastroenteritis. Physiological and biological treatments for the removal of chromium have been discussed in depth in the present communication. Adsorption and biological treatment methods are proven to be alternatives to chemical removal techniques in terms of cost-effectiveness and low sludge formation. Chromium sensing is an alternative approach for regular monitoring of chromium in different water bodies. This review intended to explore different classes of sensors for chromium monitoring. However, the spectrochemical methods are more sensitive in chromium ions sensing than electrochemical methods. Future study should focus on miniaturization for portability and on-site measurements without requiring a large instrument provides a good aspect for future research.

Quantitative assessment and optimization of bi-functional membrane for remediation of Cr(VI) from wastewater

This paper explores the innovative approach of using a green route synthesized cost-effective bi-functional to eliminate toxic hexavalent chromium commonly found in tannery wastewater by using an integrated application of membrane and photocatalyst. Contaminated wastewater is firstly passed through bi-functional ultrafiltration membranes to retain hexavalent chromium and further reducing the toxicity of rejected water having high concentrations of Cr(VI) by photocatalytic reduction into Cr(III) in the presence of sunlight using the same membrane as photocatalyst film. Conditions governing the separation process such as solution pH, nanoparticle loading in polymer matrix, and concentration of Cr(VI) have been optimized to maximize the % rejection and photocatalytic reduction to Cr(III). The purpose of this work was to optimize the process condition through the use of the response surface method (RSM) that governs the process. RSM analysis concludes that excellent rejection of 91.58% and reduction of 87.02% is possible at the predicted pH (5.55), particle loading (2.14%) and Cr(VI) concentration (25 mg/L).

Scavenging of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution by Macadamia nutshell biomass modified with diethylenetriamine and maleic anhydride

Based on the premise that aqueous anions of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) are capable of electrostatic interaction with cationic and polar active sites, acid-washed Madacamia nutshell biomass was sequentially treated with diethylenetriamine (DETA) and maleic anhydride (MA) to graft poly(diethylenetriamine-co-maleic anhydride). By displaying a new peak at 1685 cm^-1 ascribed to amide CO stretching vibrations, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy highlighted the formation of amide groups through reaction of DETA with carboxyl groups on the biomass surface. Scanning electron microscopic images of the MA-modified biomass displayed polymeric growths attributed to copolymerization of DETA with MA. The polar and ionizable amide and amine groups of the grafted copolymer endowed the adsorbent with Cr(VI) removal capabilities over a wide pH range demonstrated by removal efficiencies between 70.9% and 81.7% in the pH 1.6 to pH 10.0 range for the treatment of 20 mL solutions containing 100 mg L^-1 Cr(VI) with 200 mg of adsorbent. Conformity of the adsorption isotherm data to the Freundlich model revealed the heterogeneous nature of the adsorbent surface, which comprised a variety of functional groups capable of interaction with Cr(VI) species in solution. The Sips isotherm model provided the best fit to the equilibrium experimental data, and the adsorption capacity was 779.1 mg g^-1 at pH 1.6, room temperature and an adsorbent dosage of 5.0 g L^-1. The findings indicate that Cr(VI) adsorption onto diethylenetriamine and maleic anhydride modified Madacamia nutshell biomass is a promising option for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions.

A Novel Triazole Schiff Base Derivatives for Remediation of Chromium Contamination from Tannery Waste Water

Tannery industries are one of the extensive industrial activities which are the major source of chromium contamination in the environment. Chromium contamination has been an increasing threat to the environment and human health. Therefore, the removal of chromium ions is necessary to save human society. This study is oriented toward the preparation of a new triazole Schiff base derivatives for the remediation of chromium ions. 4,4′-((1E)-1,2-bis ((1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) imino)ethane-1,2-diyl) diphenol was prepared by the interaction between 3-Amino-1H-1,2,4-triazole and 4,4′-Dihydroxybenzil. Then, the produced Schiff base underwent a phosphorylation reaction to produce the adsorbent (TIHP), which confirmed its structure via the different tools FTIR, TGA, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, GC-MS, and Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (³¹P-NMR). The newly synthesized adsorbent (TIHP) was used to remove chromium oxyanions (Cr(VI)) from an aqueous solution. The batch technique was used to test many controlling factors, including the pH of the working aqueous solution, the amount of adsorbent dose, the initial concentration of Cr(VI), the interaction time, and the temperature. The desorption behaviour of Cr(VI) changes when it is exposed to the suggested foreign ions. The maximum adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) adsorption on the new adsorbent was 307.07 mg/g at room temperature. Freundlich’s isotherm model fits the adsorption isotherms perfectly. The kinetic results were well-constrained by the pseudo-second-order equation. The thermodynamic studies establish that the adsorption type was exothermic and naturally spontaneous.

Construction of Effective Nanosensor by Combining Semiconducting Polymer Dots with Diphenylcarbazide for Specific Recognition of Trace Cr (VI) Ion in Water and Vitro

Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) ion, as highly toxic environmental pollution, severely endangers the ecological environment and public health. Herein, a fluorescent nanosensor (PFO-DPC) was constructed by combining semiconducting polymer dots with diphenylcarbazide (DPC) for sensing Cr (VI) ion in aqueous solution and living cells. DPC and poly (styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (PSMA) polymer mixed with polyfluorene (PFO) were utilized for selectively indicating Cr (VI) ion and improving the efficiency of detection, respectively. The presence of Cr (VI) ion effectively turned off the blue and green fluorescence of PFO-DPC in the aqueous environment, and the fluorescence quenching efficiency exhibited a good linear relationship between the range of 0.0 to 2.31 nM (R2 = 0.983) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.16 nM. The mechanism of fluorescence quenching could possibly be attributed to the internal filtration effect (IFE). Additionally, PFO-DPC showed a satisfactory performance in monitoring intracellular Cr (VI) ion. Our results indicate that the sensor is promising in various applications.

Rapid ultrasensitive detection of hexavalent chromium in soil and groundwater by a microProbing imaging platform

Rapid detection methods are needed to investigate the environmental quality risk of soil and groundwater in contaminated lands. Currently there is lack of rapid detection methods to sensitively and accurately analyze contaminations of hexavalent chromium in soil due to the challenge of complex sample pretreatment or expensive instrumentation. Here we report a rapid accurate detection platform for quantifying hexavalent chromium in soil and groundwater with ultrasensitivity. The platform consists of a novel sensor of microProbing beads and a portable microscope. Each microProbing bead was a nanoliter reactor to selectively sequestrate Cr (VI) with the enrichment factor up to 150 ×. The microProbing beads presented the signal uniformity of ~97% for the statistical colorimetric imaging analysis. Combined with a miniaturized microscope, the microProbing beads allowed for detecting aqueous Cr (VI) and soluble Cr (VI) in soil within 45 min. The platform achieved high sensitivity with the detection limits of 0.003 ppb for aqueous Cr (VI) and 0.07 ppm for soil Cr (VI). It accurately detected soil and groundwater samples from a chromium contaminated land in Yangtze River Basin of China. The consistency to the laboratory standard methods was achieved with the low cost of ~0.20 US dollar per test. The microProbing imaging platform with the operational simplicity and device portability is highly promising for the field analysis of Cr (VI) in contaminated lands.

Enhanced Solar Photocatalytic Activity of Thermally Stable I:ZnO/Glass Beads for Reduction of Cr(VI) in Tannery Effluent

Chromium (VI) in tannery effluent is one of the major environmental concerns for the environmentalists due to the hazardous nature of Cr(VI) ions. To reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) as an innocuous moiety, pure and I-doped ZnO was grafted over the etched surface of glass beads by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR). Powdered, pure, and I-doped ZnO scrapped from the surface of glass beads was characterized for crystallinity, morphology, and elemental composition by XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDX. The optical properties of both photocatalysts revealed that owing to optimized iodine doping of ZnO, reduction in the bandgap was observed from 3.3 to 2.9 eV. The crystalline nano-bricks of I:ZnO adhered to glass beads were investigated to have remarkable capability to harvest sunlight in comparison to intrinsic ZnO nanodiscs. The thermal stability of I:ZnO was also found to be much improved due to doping of ZnO. The photocatalytic activities of ZnO/GB and I:ZnO/GB were compared by extent of reduction of Cr(VI) under direct natural sunlight (600–650 KWh/m2). The disappearance of absorbance peaks associated with Cr(VI) after treatment with I:ZnO/GB confirmed higher photocatalytic activity of I:ZnO/GB. The reaction parameters of solar photocatalytic reduction, i.e., initial pH (5–9), initial concentration of Cr(VI) (10–50 ppm), and solar irradiation time (1–5 h) were optimized using response surface methodology. The solar photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) present in real tannery effluent was examined to be 87 and 98%, respectively, by employing ZnO/GB and I:ZnO/GB as solar photocatalysts. The extent of reduction was also confirmed by complexation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) present in treated and untreated tannery waste with 1, 5-diphenylcarbazide. The results of AAS and UV/vis spectroscopy for the decrease in concentration of Cr also supported the evidence of higher efficiency of I:ZnO/GB for reduction of Cr(VI) in tannery effluent. Reusability of the fabricated photocatalyst was assessed for eight cycles, and magnificent extent of reduction of Cr(VI) indicated its high efficiency. Conclusively, I:ZnO/GB is a potential and cost-effective candidate for Cr(VI) reduction in tannery effluent under natural sunlight.

Removal of Hexavalent Chromium(VI) from Wastewater Using Chitosan-Coated Iron Oxide Nanocomposite Membranes

Chromium is a toxic and carcinogenic heavy metal that originates from various human activities. Therefore, the effective removal of chromium from aqueous solutions is an extremely important global challenge. Herein, we report a chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticle immobilized hydrophilic poly(vinylidene) fluoride membrane (Chi@Fe2O3-PVDF) which can potentially be used for efficient removal of hexavalent chromium(VI) by a simple filtration process. Membrane filtration is an easy and efficient method for treating large volumes of water in a short duration. The adsorption experiments were conducted by batch and continuous in-flow systems. The experimental data showed rapid capture of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) which can be explained by the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model. The nanocomposite membrane exhibited high adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) (14.451 mg/g in batch system, 14.104 mg/g in continuous in-flow system). Moreover, its removal efficiency was not changed significantly in the presence of several competing ions, i.e., Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, and PO43-. Consequently, the Chi@Fe2O3-PVDF-based filtration process is expected to show a promising direction and be developed as a practical method for wastewater treatment.

Effect of Spatial Distribution of nZVI on the Corrosion of nZVI Composites and Its Subsequent Cr(VI) Removal from Water

There have been many studies on contaminant removal by fresh and aged nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), but the effect of spatial distribution of nZVI on the corrosion behavior of the composite materials and its subsequent Cr(VI) removal remains unclear. In this study, four types of D201-nZVI composites with different nZVI distributions (named D1, D2, D3, and D4) were fabricated and pre-corroded in varying coexisting solutions. Their effectiveness in the removal of Cr(VI) were systematically investigated. The results showed acidic or alkaline conditions, and all coexisting ions studied except for H₂PO₄⁻ and SiO₃²⁻ enhanced the corrosion of nZVI. Additionally, the Cr(VI) removal efficiency was observed to decrease with increasing nZVI distribution uniformity. The corrosion products derived from nZVI, including magnetite, hematite, lepidocrcite, and goethite, were identified by XRD. The XPS results suggested that the Cr(VI) and Cr(III) species coexisted and the Cr(III) species gradually increased on the surface of the pre-corroded D201-nZVI with increasing iron distribution uniformity, proving Cr(VI) removal via a comprehensive process including adsorption/coprecipitation and reduction. The results will help to guide the selection for nZVI nanocomposites aged under different conditions for environmental decontamination.

Detoxification of Copper and Chromium via Dark Hydrogen Fermentation of Potato Waste by Clostridium butyricum Strain 92

The accumulation of various types of waste containing both organic and inorganic metal-containing compounds is extremely hazardous for living organisms. The possibility of polymer degradation, biohydrogen synthesis, and metal detoxification via the dark fermentation of model potato waste was investigated. For this purpose, the strict anaerobic strain was isolated and identified as Clostridium butyricum. The high efficiency of dark hydrogen fermentation of potatoes with yield of hydrogen in 85.8 ± 15.3 L kg−1 VSpotato was observed. The copperand chromium salts solutions were added to the culture fluid to obtain the concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg L−1 Cu(II) and Cr(VI) in the active phase of growth (19 h of cultivation). Metals at a concentration of 200 mg L−1 inhibited the fermentation process the most. The hydrogen yield decreased in 7.2 and 3.6 times to 11.9 ± 2.1 and 23.8 ± 5.6 L kg−1 VSpotato in the presence of 200 mg L−1 Cu(II) and Cr(VI), respectively. The efficiencies of the chromium bioremoval in all variants of the experiment were 100%, and those of copper bioremoval were about 90%. A pure culture of strict anaerobes Clostridium butyricum strain 92 was used for the first time for the detoxification of metals. The presented results confirmed the possibility of this promising strain application for industrial H2 production and the bioremediation of contaminated sites.

Use of experimental design to evaluate the adsorption of chromium (VI) by alginate/polyaniline beads

Low-cost decorated sodium alginate beads with polyaniline (Alg@PANI beads) were easily prepared using a cross-linking method, and employed for the adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The effect of several influencing parameters, including temperature, contact time, Cr(VI) concentration, and adsorbent dosage, was investigated and optimized using central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the quadratic model and the analyzed model revealed that the models were statistically significant, with a low P-value (<0.0001) and a high correlation coefficient value (R2 = 0.93). The optimum parameters for total adsorption were as follows: adsorbent dose 0.027 g, pH 2, contact time 45 min, temperature 38?C, and Cr(VI) concentration 29.24 ppm. The findings of this study indicate that the prepared Alg@PANI beads could be effectively used to remove Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions.

Treatment of textile wastewater containing mixed toxic azo dye and chromium (VI) BY haloalkaliphilic bacterial consortium

Scientific empowerment in this century created a positive and negative impact on the ecosystem's biotic and abiotic components. The current scenario of emerging recalcitrant pollutants in the environment is encountered using various remediation approaches are enforced and applied. The need for mineralization of the toxic pollutants to non - toxic forms accomplished the application of microbes (bacteria, fungi and algae) and plants individually or in a combined manner. The current research on the removal of pollutants from synthetic textile wastewater containing 1200 ppm concentration of mixed azo dyes -Reactive red (RR), Reactive Brown (RB) & Reactive Black (RBl) and 300 ppm Cr (VI) metal using haloalkaliphilic bacterial strains LBKVG1, LBKVG2, LBKVG3 & LBKVG4 in a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR), showed decolorization of 82 ± 0.5% of mixed azo dyes and degradation 56 ± 0.5% of Cr (VI) metal at 37 ^°C and pH 8.5 in the fifth day of the study. The isolated bacterial strains in the consortium were molecularly and morphologically characterized by 16SrRNA sequencing and SEM analysis. FT-IR and GC-MS analysis scrutinized the metabolites obtained. The findings suggest the degradation of hazardous pollutants even at higher concentrations and attempt to decolourize the mixed azo dyes simultaneously using the eco-friendly bacterial consortium.

Fabrication of a novel heteroepitaxial structure from an MOF-on-MOF architecture as a photocatalyst for highly efficient Cr(vi) reduction

Ce-on-Zr-MOF-808, a novel MOF-on-MOF hybrid used for efficient chromium reduction under visible-light irradiation.

Combined Application of Citric Acid and Cr Resistant Microbes Improved Castor Bean Growth and Photosynthesis while It Alleviated Cr Toxicity by Reducing Cr+6 to Cr3

Chromium is highly harmful to plants because of its detrimental effects on the availability of vital nutrients and secondary metabolites required for proper plant growth and development. A hydroponic experiment was carried out to analyze the effect of citric acid on castor bean plants under chromium stress. Furthermore, the role of two chromium-resistant microorganisms, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, in reducing Cr toxicity was investigated. Different amounts of chromium (0 µM, 100 µM, 200 µM) and citric acid (0 mM, 2.5 mM, and 5 mM) were used both alone and in combination to analyze the remediation potential. Results showed that elevated amounts of chromium (specifically 200 µM) minimized the growth and biomass because the high concentration of Cr induced the oxidative markers. Exogenous citric acid treatment boosted plant growth and development by improving photosynthesis via enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase, which decreased Cr toxicity. The application of citric acid helped the plants to produce a high concentration of antioxidants which countered the oxidants produced due to chromium stress. It revealed that castor bean plants treated with citric acid could offset the stress injuries by decreasing the H₂O₂, electrolyte leakage, and malondialdehyde levels. The inoculation of plants with bacteria further boosted the plant growth parameters by improving photosynthesis and reducing the chromium-induced toxicity in the plants. The findings demonstrated that the combination of citric acid and metal-resistant bacteria could be a valuable technique for heavy metal remediation and mediating the adverse effects of metal toxicity on plants.

Enhanced Solar Photocatalytic Reduction of Cr(VI) Using a (ZnO/CuO) Nanocomposite Grafted onto a Polyester Membrane for Wastewater Treatment

Among chemical water pollutants, Cr(VI) is a highly toxic heavy metal; solar photocatalysis is a cost-effective method to reduce Cr(VI) to innocuous Cr(III). In this research work, an efficient and economically feasible ZnO/CuO nanocomposite was grafted onto the polyester fabric ZnO/CuO/PF through the SILAR method. Characterization by SEM, EDX, XRD, and DRS confirmed the successful grafting of highly crystalline, solar active nanoflakes of ZnO/CuO nanocomposite onto the polyester fabric. The grafting of the ZnO/CuO nanocomposite was confirmed by FTIR analysis of the ZnO/CuO/PF membrane. A solar photocatalytic reduction reaction of Cr(VI) was carried out by ZnO/CuO/PF under natural sunlight (solar flux 5-6 kW h/m2). The response surface methodology was employed to determine the interactive effect of three reaction variables: initial concentration of Cr(VI), pH, and solar irradiation time. According to UV/Vis spectrophotometry, 97% of chromium was removed from wastewater in acidic conditions after four hours of sunlight irradiation. ZnO/CuO/PF demonstrated reusability for 11 batches of wastewater under natural sunlight. Evaluation of Cr(VI) reduction was also executed by complexation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) with 1, 5-diphenylcarbazide. The total percentage removal of Cr after solar photocatalysis was carried out by AAS of the wastewater sample. The ZnO/CuO/PF enhanced the reduction of Cr(VI) metal from wastewater remarkably.