Abstract
This paper describes the removal of Cr(VI) using the combination of bacterial reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by wood husk–packed column containing the Cr(VI)-reducing biofilm followed by Cr(III) removal using the coagulation-flocculation technique. The chromium removal process was carried out at the laboratory-scale for 90 days using different batches of Cr(VI) ranging from 35 to 231 mg L−1. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a high coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.9941, thus ensuring a satisfactory adjustment of the second-order regression model with the experimental data. The experimental observations were in reasonable agreement with the modeled values. The biofilm was able to completely reduce 100 mg L−1 Cr(VI) in 6 h while a longer contact time (18 h) was needed for higher Cr(VI) concentrations. In this study, ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) was used as the control parameter during the Cr(VI) reduction process. The coagulation/flocculation process using the combination of alum and polyacrylamide results in complete removal of color, 85% Cr(III), and 97% turbidity. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) analysis of the biofilm revealed the embedding of bacterial cells in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). This study successfully demonstrated the potential application of a bacterial biofilm and chemical systems to remove chromium contamination from water systems.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the contributions by Mrs. Nurfadillah Mohammed and Mr. Shaik Muhammad Hasbullah Shaik Ismail for the excellent data collection. Also, thanks are due to Mr. Jefri Samin from the Material Science Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, for the exceptional FESEM-EDAX work.
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Zakaria, Z.A., Ahmad, W.A. Cr(VI) Removal Using the Combination of the Cr(VI)-Resistant and Cr(VI)-Reducing Biofilm and the Alum-Polyacrylamide. Water Air Soil Pollut 231, 490 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-020-04860-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-020-04860-z