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Application of Serratia marcescens AJRR-22 for Effective Amelioration of Hexavalent Chromium from Industrial Effluents Contaminating Bio-geosphere

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Abstract

The strain Serratia marcescens AJRR-22, isolated from an iron mine, was found to possess the ability of reduction of hexavalent chromium, a potent pollutant of soil and water. In this study, the parameters for chromium (VI) resistance and bio-reduction were determined and optimized by response surface method (RSM). The decreased level of chromate mitigating ability of the strain in sterile medium indicates the efficacy of the strain to thrive and act in natural conditions with indigenous microbes and co-pollutants. To prove the beneficial environmental effect of Serratia marcescens AJRR-22–mediated chromium reduction, the strain was directly applied to mitigate issue concerning high level of hexavalent chromium content in both textile washout–enriched agricultural soil and tannery effluent before discharge. The atomic absorption spectroscopic (AAS) analysis indicated about 80% reduction of the hexavalent chromium from both of those samples within stipulated time. It has also shown to aid in observable enhancement of growth and germination of model plant, Cicer arietinum, in the agricultural field loaded with hexavalent chromium. The bactericidal activity of the strain indicates the ability of the strain to survive in polluted site, and its moderate antibiotic resistance makes it more applicable for effective bioremediation with the lesser chance of generation of antibiotic resistance. Hence, the present strain can be used for sustained in situ and ex situ bioremediation of hexavalent chromium.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We convey sincere thanks to Mr. Joydeep Mukherjee, R.V. Briggs Pvt Ltd., Kolkata, for providing the AAS facility. Finally, the authors thank CRNN-Kolkata for providing required instrumental services and facilities.

Funding

This study was funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of West Bengal, India (RD-21/STBT-13015/2/2019-BT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, W.B., Simhat, Nadia, Haringhata, West Bengal, India

    Amrita Jasu, Bandia Dutta & Rina Rani Ray

  2. Department of Bio-medical Instrumentation, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India

    Samir Chandra Das

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  1. Amrita Jasu
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  2. Bandia Dutta
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  3. Samir Chandra Das
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Conceptualization and designed methodologies: AJ; formal analysis and investigation: AJ, BD, and SCD; writing — original draft preparation: AJ; writing — review and editing: AJ and RRR; fund acquisition and supervision: RRR.

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Correspondence to Rina Rani Ray.

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Jasu, A., Dutta, B., Das, S.C. et al. Application of Serratia marcescens AJRR-22 for Effective Amelioration of Hexavalent Chromium from Industrial Effluents Contaminating Bio-geosphere. Water Air Soil Pollut 234, 752 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06757-z

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