Thesis
Fe(III) and Cr(VI) reduction in alkaline media using Soap Lake alkaliphiles
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2005
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/393
Abstract
Chromium, in its hexavalent state, is one of the most widely utilized industrial metals, and is therefore present in many industrial waste water streams. Given the carcinogenic and mutagenic consequences of Cr(VI) exposure, the release of Cr(VI) into the environment is a major concern. In its trivalent state, chromium is both non-toxic and, due to its lower environmental mobility, exhibits limited environmental impact. For this reason, the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) remains the principle method for the treatment of chromium-containing waste. However, traditional chemical and electrochemical methods are expensive and produce large volumes of sludge, fueling the search for alternative methods of Cr(VI) reduction. The ability of many species of microbes to reduce Fe(III) to Fe(II) has led a number of researchers to consider microbial Cr(VI) reduction as a possible alternative. Although many reports of microbial Cr(VI) reduction are currently in circulation, very few have utilized alkaliphilic bacteria in their studies. Alkaliphilic Cr(VI) reduction is advantageous because in elevated pH environments, Cr(III) produces insoluble hydroxides which can easily be recovered. Soda lakes represent the most stable alkaline environments on earth, and are therefore widely used as sources of alkaliphilic bacteria. As part of the Soap Lake Microbial Observatory, alkaliphilic communities taken from the sediment of the monimolimnion layer of Soap Lake have been tested for anaerobic Fe(III) and Cr(VI) reduction capability. The goal of this research will be to present one of the few reports of microbial metal reduction under alkaline, anaerobic conditions.
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Details
- Title
- Fe(III) and Cr(VI) reduction in alkaline media using Soap Lake alkaliphiles
- Creators
- Michael Robert VanEngelen
- Contributors
- Brent M. Peyton (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525295801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis