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Anaerobic co-reduction of chromate and nitrate by bacterial cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis L-02

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology

Abstract

Industrial wastewater is often polluted by Cr(VI) compounds, presenting a serious environmental problem. This study addresses the removal of toxic, mutagenic Cr(VI) by means of microbial reduction to Cr(III), which can then be precipitated as oxides or hydroxides and extracted from the aquatic system. A strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis L-02 was isolated from a bacterial consortium used for the remediation of a chromate-contaminated constructed wetland system. This strain reduced Cr(VI) by using pyruvate as an electron donor under anaerobic conditions. The aims of the present study were to investigate the specific rate of Cr(VI) reduction by the strain L-02, the effects of chromate and nitrate (available as electron acceptors) on the strain, and the interference of chromate and nitrate reduction processes. The presence of Cr(VI) decreased the growth rate of the bacterium. Chromate and nitrate reduction did not occur under sterile conditions but was observed during tests with the strain L-02. The presence of nitrate increased both the specific Cr(VI) reduction rate and the cell number. Under denitrifying conditions, Cr(VI) reduction was not inhibited by nitrite, which was produced during nitrate reduction. The average specific rate of chromate reduction reached 4.4 μmol Cr 1010 cells−1 h−1, but was only 2.0 μmol Cr 1010 cells−1 h−1 at 20 °C. The maximum specific rate was as high as 8.8–9.8 μmol Cr 1010 cells−1 h−1. The role of nitrate in chromate reduction is discussed.

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Acknowledgement

The research was kindly supported by the Linkage NATO grant EST-CLG-978918.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, pr. Nauki 5, 142290, Pushchino, Russia

    A Vatsouria & M Vainshtein

  2. Department of Bioremediation, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle GmbH, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany

    P Kuschk, A Wiessner & M Kaestner

  3. Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, 152742, Yaroslavl, Russia

    Kosolapov D

Authors
  1. A Vatsouria
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  2. M Vainshtein
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  3. P Kuschk
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  4. A Wiessner
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  5. Kosolapov D
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  6. M Kaestner
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Correspondence to A Vatsouria.

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Vatsouria, A., Vainshtein, M., Kuschk, P. et al. Anaerobic co-reduction of chromate and nitrate by bacterial cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis L-02. J IND MICROBIOL BIOTECHNOL 32, 409–414 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-005-0020-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-005-0020-0

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