Phyto-remediation of chrome-VI of tannery effluent by Trichoderma species

The tannery effluent carrying hazardous Cr(VI) species due to the oxidation of Cr(III) species was found to pollute the soil and the ground water of Jajmau area of Kanpur city where a large number of tanneries are located. We have studied the phyto-remediation of Cr(VI). Biosorption of the chromium ion Cr(VI) onto the cell surface of Trichoderma fungal species in aerobic condition was investigated. Batch experiments were conducted with various initial concentrations of chromium ions to obtain the sorption capacity and isotherms. The results obtained at pH 5.5 of chromium solution were 97.39% reduction by non pathogenic species of Trichoderma. It was found that the sorption isotherms of fungi for Cr(VI) appeared to fit Freundlich models. The results of FT-IR analysis suggested that the chromium binding sites on the fungal cell surface were most likely carboxyl and amine groups. The fungal surfaces showed efficient biosorption for Chromium in Cr+6 oxidation state. Best results for sorption were obtained at 5.5–5.8 pH, at low or high pH values, Cr(VI) uptake was significantly reduced.