Abstract:
Chromium is a highly soluble transition metal of vital industrial importance. It occurs in both trivalent
and hexavalent forms. Due to many well identified adverse impacts of chromium to human health and
natural ecosystems, treatment of chromium contaminated waters and remediation of contaminated aquatic
systems has become a major concern of environmental engineers. The currently practiced conventional
mechano-chemical treatment systems for remediation of chromium contaminated waters have high
operational costs, therefore alternative natural attenuation systems are becoming the focus of modern
research. This paper presents an analytical review on application of natural attenuation methods in
removal of chromium in Sri Lanka. Some results presented on phyto-remediation and sorption of
chromium by gravels are original research findings of the authors. Some possibilities sited in-literature are
also reviewed.
