title: Photochemical reduction of hexavalent chromium in glycerol-containing solutions.
abstract: Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in the form of potassium dichromate was photochemically reduced to trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] in aqueous solutions containing glycerol. This reaction occurred rapidly during irradiation with either unfiltered sunlight or a UVA-emitting light source. Photochemical reduction of Cr(VI) was pH-dependent and did not occur in dilute solutions of sodium hydroxide. In acidified solutions, the reduction occurred at elevated rates and at lower concentrations of glycerol. This reaction was found to be dependent on the unsubstituted alcohol groups of glycerol since alpha-phosphoglycerol and beta-phosphoglycerol did not support the photochemical reduction of Cr(VI). These findings suggest that glycerol or related polyols can be used for the remediation of hexavalent (toxic) chromium at contaminated environmental sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Yurkow
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Su
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000737:chemistry*; D002857:Chromium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry*; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010777:Photochemistry; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D012996:Solutions; D002857:Chromium; C074702:chromium hexavalent ion; D005990:Glycerol