Model experiments on the microbial removal of chromium from contaminated groundwater

A bacterial consortium with representatives of sulfate-reducing and denitrifying bacteria was selectively enriched. Model experiments under microaerobic conditions showed that it precipitated chromium from Cr (VI)-containing waters (area of a former electroplating factory, Leipzig, Germany) by two different mechanisms: by sulfate reduction and precipitation as sulfide, and by some direct reduction. Sulfate reduction needed fatty acids as organic substrates and resulted at the first stage in no sulfide accumulation. In the absence of the fatty acids but with straw as organic substrate, the direct reduction of chromium was observed without sulfate reduction. In this case Cr (VI)-reduction rate correlated with that of the denitrification.