Enhanced biogeogenic controls on dichromate speciation in subsoil containment

In general, lab-based Cr (VI) reduction studies do not often corroborate the prevailing biogeochemical controls for on-site pollution abatement. To promulgate its importance, herein, we investigate the existing biogeogenic parameters of a contaminated site to attenuate the underground Cr (VI) toxicity. This study significantly assesses the speciation of dichromate by biogenic agents that are inherent and self-sustaining to treat the contaminated soil. Herein, a group of bacteria exposed to high concentrations of chromium (≥3500 mg/L) plays a vital role as an enhanced biogeogenic control for the detoxification of toxic Cr (VI). All identified bacteria were screened based on their ability to differentiate from extracellular speciation and harvested in a Cr (VI)-enriched molasses to achieve dichromate concentrations as low as 0.05 mg/L in 168 h. Under low O2 condition, the bacterial growth rate and doubling time were monitored to establish the half-life period of Cr (VI) for adequate containment treatment. Furthermore, to understand the soil decontamination, Cr (VI) reactive transport was demonstrated to facilitate the contaminant reduction under both saturated and unsaturated groundwater conditions. Herein, Cr (VI) speciation to Cr (III) by the influence of abiogenic factors are unlikely or less probable as studied in existing geogenic conditions. Moreover, the evidence of biogenic reduction of Cr (VI) in microcosm suggests its effectiveness in enhanced detoxification of Cr (VI) up to ≤ 0.1 mg/L, within the reaction period of 144 h and 192 h, for saturated and unsaturated flow conditions, respectively.