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A review of the treatment technologies for hexavalent chromium contaminated water

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Abstract

The toxicity of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) present in the environment has exceeded the current limits or standards and thus may lead to biotic and abiotic catastrophes. Accordingly, several treatments, including chemical, biological, and physical approaches, are being used to reduce Cr(VI) waste in the surrounding environment. This study compares the Cr(VI) treatment approaches from several areas of science and their competence in Cr(VI) removal. As an effective combination of physical and chemical approaches, the coagulation–flocculation technique removes more than 98% of Cr(VI) in less than 30 min. Most membrane filtering approaches can remove up to 90% of Cr(VI). Biological approaches that involve the use of plants, fungi, and bacteria also successfully eliminate Cr(VI) but are difficult to scale up. Each of these approaches has its benefits and drawbacks, and their applicability is determined by the research aims. These approaches are also sustainable and environmentally benign, thus limiting their effects on the ecosystem.

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Funding

This research was supported by Grant Universiti Penyelidikan (GUP-2019–026) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

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Contributions

Original draft, review and editing were done by NNR. The conceptualization, visualization, review and editing were done by SBK. Review and editing the original draft were done by JOI. The original draft was written by NSMS, NM, JB, RARS, MZ, JA, NMD and JA. The review, editing and supervision were done by ARO, SRSA and HAH. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Nur Nadhirah Ramli or Ahmad Razi Othman.

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Ramli, N.N., Kurniawan, S.B., Ighalo, J.O. et al. A review of the treatment technologies for hexavalent chromium contaminated water. Biometals 36, 1189–1219 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-023-00512-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-023-00512-x

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