Bioremediation of Chromium Using Bacterial Biofilms: Biofilm strategy for chromium removal from tanneries

A number of technologies have been developed to remove chromium from the effluents but none seems to be effective at the industrial scale. The present study is an effort in this direction, where Cr(III) and Cr(VI)can be removed from tanning effluent by the use of Cr tolerant bacterial isolates from chromium contaminated sites. Since Chromium poses a threat to humans and environment, it is pertinent to have a biofilm based chromium remediation strategy. This study gives an insight into in-situ remediation of chromium, by the development of biofilms using indigenous bacteria isolated from tannery industrial environment. Biofilm design techniques and technology development would aid in alleviating problem due to inorganic pollutants besides chromium from tannery effluent.