SORPTION RATES FOR THE UPTAKE OF CR6+ BY A CONSORTIA OF DENITRIFYING BACTERIA

A fractional factorial statistical experimental design was used to asc ertain which experimental parameters affect the rate at which Cr6+ is sorbed by a consortium of denitrifying bacteria. Data from this set of experiments indicates that the amount of chromium sorbed as a functio n of time could be described by an exponential rise function. Addition ally, the data indicate that at least 15 hours were required to establ ish equilibrium. Finally, observed variations in the parameters in thi s rate equation were found to be due to the imposed changes in the exp erimental variables. These results indicate that the processes by whic h the chromate ion was removed from solution may be associated with th e cells' metabolic processes.