Novel Approaches for Sustainable Management of Chromium Contaminated Wastewater

Abstract

The release of high volumes of untreated effluents containing different forms of chromium into waterbodies and further use of this wastewater for ferti-irrigation purposes pose a direct threat to health of human populations consuming produces from such agricultural fields. The higher concentration of chromium above permissible limits at these sites may pose harm to flora and fauna. The conventional processes used for treatment of chromium-containing effluents have low treatment efficiency, high operational costs, and produce toxic sludge requiring safe disposal. In contrast, the approaches exploiting use of living systems, such as microbes/microbial products and microbes, may provide sustainable treatment options. The emerging advanced/novel treatment technologies based on harnessing metabolic potential of microbiome of the polluted sites have potential to achieve the efficient removal of heavy metals from polluted sites. The success of protocols developed and tested at lab scale needs to be replicated at pilot/industrial to handle high volumes with varying levels of organic co-contaminants and harsh physiological conditions. The presented chapter provides an overview of impact of high chromium levels on ecosystem and various treatment processes with advanced aspect of management of heavy metals to prevent harmful effects on the environment.