Determination of adsorption and speciation of chromium species by saltbush (Atriplex canescens) biomass using a combination of XAS and ICP-OES

Studies were performed to determine the effect of pH on chromium (Cr) binding by native, esterified, and hydrolyzed saltbush (Atriplex canescens) biomass. In addition, X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies were performed to determine the oxidation state of Cr atoms bound to the biomass. The amounts of Cr adsorbed by saltbush biomass were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). For Cr(III), the results showed that the percentages bound by native stems, leaves, and flowers at pH 4.0 were 98%, 97%, and 91%, respectively. On the other hand, the Cr(VI) binding by the three tissues of the native and hydrolyzed saltbush biomass decreased as pH increased. At pH 2.0 the stems, leaves, and flowers of native biomass bound 31%, 49%, and 46%, of Cr(VI), respectively. The results of the XAS experiments showed that Cr(VI) was reduced in some extend to Cr(III) by saltbush biomass at both pH 2.0 and pH 5.0. The XANES analysis of the Cr(III) reaction with the saltbush biomass parts showed an octahedral arrangement of oxygen atoms around the central Cr(III) atom. The EXAFS studies of saltbush plant samples confirmed these results.