Cr(III) oxidation coupled with Mn(II) bacterial oxidation in the environment

Abstract

Purpose Cr(III) oxidation to Cr(VI) significantly increases Cr mobility and toxicity and thus its environmental risks. Manganese (Mn) oxides may serve as the potential oxidants of Cr(III) in environment. Natural Mn oxides in the environment are believed to be derived from bacterial oxidation. The objective of this study was to examine the Cr(III) oxidation capacity of biogenic Mn oxide and the role of Mn-oxidizing bacteria in Cr(III) oxidation. Materials and methods Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the capacities of Cr(III) oxidation by chemically synthetic Mn oxides and biogenic Mn oxide. Biogenic Mn oxide was formed by Bacillus sp. WH4, a Mn-oxidizing bacterium isolated from..