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Chromium (VI) remediation by a native strain: effect of environmental conditions and removal mechanisms involved

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Abstract

A native bacterial strain with high capability for Cr (VI) removal was isolated from tannery sediments located in Elena (Córdoba Province, Argentina). The strain was characterized by amplification of 16S rRNA gene and identified as Serratia sp. C8. It was able to efficiently remove different Cr (VI) concentrations in a wide range of pHs and temperatures. The addition of different carbon sources as well as initial inoculum concentration were analyzed, demonstrating that Serratia sp. C8 could reduce 80 % of 20 mg/L Cr (VI) in a medium containing glucose 1 g/L, at pH 6–7 and 28 °C as optimal conditions, using 5 % inoculum concentration. The mechanisms involved in Cr (VI) removal were also evaluated. The strain was capable of biosorpting around 7.5–8.5 % of 20 mg/L Cr on its cell surface and to reduce Cr (VI). In addition, approximately a 54 and 46 % of total Cr was detected in the biomass and in the culture medium, respectively, and in the culture medium, Cr (III) was the predominant species. In conclusion, Serratia sp. C8 removed Cr (VI) and the mechanisms involved in decreasing order of contribution were as follows: reduction catalyzed by intracellular enzymes, accumulation into the cells, and biosorption to the microbial biomass. This strain could be a suitable microorganism for Cr (VI) bioremediation of tannery sediments and effluents or even for other environments contaminated with Cr.

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Acknowledgments

P.S.G, M.A.T, and E.A. are members of the research career from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) (Argentina). L.F.A and C.E.P have a fellowship from CONICET. We wish to thank PPI (SECyT-UNRC), CONICET, PICT (FONCyT), and MinCyT Córdoba for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Molecular, FCEFQyN, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36 Km 601, CP 5800, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina

    Paola S. González, Laura F. Ambrosio, Cintia E. Paisio, Melina A. Talano, María I. Medina & Elizabeth Agostini

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  1. Paola S. González
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  2. Laura F. Ambrosio
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  3. Cintia E. Paisio
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  4. Melina A. Talano
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  5. María I. Medina
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  6. Elizabeth Agostini
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Correspondence to Paola S. González.

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Responsible editor: Robert Duran

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González, P.S., Ambrosio, L.F., Paisio, C.E. et al. Chromium (VI) remediation by a native strain: effect of environmental conditions and removal mechanisms involved. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 13551–13559 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3311-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3311-z

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