Natural and enhanced contaminated waters

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.