Chromium speciation from tannery wastewater using spectroscopic techniques

The toxicity and reactivity of chromium (Cr) depend on its chemical form or oxidation state which directs the significance of chromium speciation. Cr(VI) is a 'Class A' carcinogen whereas Cr(III)) is considered as essential for metabolism. In this work, concentrations of Cr species in different sampling sites of a tannery effluent have been spectroscopically determined. Cr(VI) was determined by UV-visible spectrophotometer through azo dye formation. Total Cr was determined by FAAS while Cr(III) was through subtraction. The Cr(IV) concentration before and after treatment was found in close proximity since the wastewater treatment process was evidently not effective at reducing the level of Cr(IV) in the waste stream (i.e., 3.34 mg/ L versus 3.15 mg/L). The Cr(VI) concentration after treatment (3.15 mg/L) is more than 31 times higher than the permissible limit of WHO (0.1 mg/L). Furthermore, the concentration of Cr(VI) in the downstream of the receiving river (0.59 mg/L) is more than 12 times higher than the upstream (0.046 mg/L) while Cr(III) in the downstream (25.73 mg/L) is more than 50 times higher than the upstream concentration (0.51 mg/L), confirming that the pollution of the river is from the tannery effluent.