Detoxification of hexavalent chromium exist in tannery wastewater by some fungal species

Abstract

Industrialization has harmed natural habitats and their ability to support life in the last century. This has introduced elements that endanger the environment’s integrity, functionality, and intrinsic values. One of the industries that destroys the environment is leather tanning that act as a major source of toxic hexavalent chromium contamination in our environment as chromium salts has been confirmed to be the most effective technique used worldwide in tanning to produce various types of leather as it enhances several properties to make it better. Accordingly, the present study intended to explore a local fungal isolate that has a potential capability to remediate hexavalent chromium that found in high concentrations in tannery wastewater and to evaluate its performance in the form of viable free cells and immobilized form under laboratory conditions at different physical and chemical conditions. 1) Nine wastewater samples were collected from three different tannery sites located in Suar Majra Aleuyun district in Old Cairo, Based on laboratory tests the physical and chemical characteristics of tannery effluents exceed the limit established by the Egyptian regulation law of wastewater (Law No. 48, 1982) and it was found to be contaminated with a high load of organic and inorganic compounds such as chromium salts used during tanning.