Purpose: Evaluation of Cr (VI) removal by indigenous chromium resistant bacterial strains alone and in combination with Eichornia sp.
Methods: Three chromium resistant bacterial strains S-4 Ochrobactrum grignonense, SF-5 Bacillus sp. and S-6 Ochrobactrum pseudogrignonenses were isolated from industrial effluent. The isolated chromium-resistant bacterial strains were subjected to heavy-metal resistance profiling. Cr (VI) reduction was evaluated in mobilized as well as immobilized forms. The phytoremediation potential of Eichornia sp. in conjunction with chromium resistant bacterial isolates was also determined. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy was performed to rule out the involvement of various functional groups in the binding activity of Cr (VI).
Results: Three bacterial strains resisted up to 1000 µg/mL of potassium dichromate (K2CrO4). Bacterial strains S-4, SF-5 and S-6 showed significant Cr (VI) removal in mobilized state (84.93, 85.85 and 83.97 % respectively) compared with immobilized state (41.27, 37.99, 37.96 %)