Experimental and mathematical modeling studies on Cr(VI) reduction by CRB, SRB and IRB, individually and in combination

Cr(VI) reduction studies were carried out with chromium reducing bacteria (CRB), sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) and iron reducing bacteria (IRB), individually and in combination. Biokinetic parameters such as maximum specific growth rate (μmax), half saturation constant (Ks), yield coefficient (YT) and inhibition coefficient (Ki) for individual cultures were evaluated. A mathematical model was proposed for simulating the chromium reduction, COD utilization and biomass growth, by individual cultures as well as by a combination of two or three different cultures, for different initial Cr(VI), SO42− and Fe(III) concentrations. The biokinetic parameters evaluated from one set of experiments for individual cultures were utilized in all the validation studies. The performance of the mathematical model in terms of the dimensionless modified coefficient of efficiency (E) indicated that the proposed model simulates the system behavior very well.