Biological detoxification of Cr(VI) using wood-husk immobilized Acinetobacter haemolyticus.
Acinetobacter haemolyticus, a Gram-negative aerobic locally isolated bacterium, immobilized on wood-husk showed the ability to detoxify Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Wood-husk, a natural cellulose-based support material, packed in an upward-flow column was used as support material for bacterial attachment. Around 97% of the Cr(VI) in wastewater containing 15 mg L(-1) of Cr(VI) was reduced at a flow rate of 8.0 mL min(-1). The wastewater containing Cr(VI) was added with liquid pineapple wastewater as nutrient source for the bacteria. Electron microscopic examinations of the wood-husk after 42 days of column operation showed gradual colonization of the wood-husk by bacterial biofilm. The use of 0.1% (v/v) formaldehyde as a disinfecting agent inhibited growth of bacteria present in the final wastewater discharge. This finding is important in view of the ethical code regarding possible introduction of exogenous bacterial species into the environment.
Zakaria
Zainul Akmar
ZA
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Zakaria
Zainoha
Z
Surif
Salmijah
S
Ahmad
Wan Azlina
WA
D000150:Acinetobacter / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000332:Aerobiosis; D031230:Ananas; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002857:Chromium / Q000378:metabolism*; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D014934:Wood / Q000382:microbiology
D007220:Industrial Waste; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002857:Chromium; C074702:chromium hexavalent ion