Bacteria Found to Rapidly Cleanse Soil of Toxic Chromium Contamination
Two bacterial strains, Bacillus sp. FY1 and Arthrobacter sp. WZ2, were found to effectively reduce chromium(VI) levels in contaminated soil. They could reduce 78-85% and 75-82% of chromium(VI) within 24 hours, respectively. The bacteria were able to tolerate high levels of chromium(VI) and showed optimal reduction rates at pH 7.0-8.0, 30-35°C, and 1 × 10^8 cells ml^-1. In contaminated soil, they reduced 83-91%, 78-85%, and 71-78% of chromium(VI) at concentrations of 100, 200, and 500 mg kg^-1 within 7 days. This suggests that Bacillus sp. FY1 and Arthrobacter sp. WZ2 have great potential for use in future soil bioremediation efforts.