Characterization of Cr(VI) binding and reduction to Cr(III) by the agricultural byproducts of Avena monida (Oat) biomass

Chromium contamination of the environment has become an important issue due to the potential health threat it poses. Conventional technologies to clea n up heavy metal ions from contaminated waters have been utilized, but thes e technologies are not cost-effective. However, the use of agricultural was te byproducts for the removal of Cr(VI) from contaminated waters may be a n ew cost-effective alternative. Oat byproducts from the Juarez Valley in Mex ico were studied for the ability to bind Cr(VI) under different temperature and time conditions. The metal binding ability of oat byproducts was calcu lated from experimental data collected at temperatures of 8, 26, and 54 deg reesC, and time exposures of 1, 6, 24, 48, and 72h at each temperature. The se results showed that the binding of Cr(VI) to oat biomass increased as ti me and temperature increased. The bound chromium was recovered from the oat biomass by treatment with 0.2 M HCl. Through the use of X-ray absorption s pectroscopy, the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was determined to occur by the oat byproducts. These results indicate that the use of agricultural was te byproducts could be a better alternative for the removal and subsequent reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) from contaminated waters. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.