Bioremediation of Chromium, Nickel and Zinc in Electroplating Effluent by Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT

Effluent samples from an electroplating industry located at Madurai, India were collected and analysed for chosen physico-chemical parameters. Among the heavy metals tested, zinc exhibited highest level with 739 ppm with a pH of 4.83. The bacterial strain isolated from the effluent contaminated site was identified as Escherichia coli and it was subjected to 15, 20 and 25% of effluent in minimal broth for 20 days. Optical density and pH changes were recorded daily and the levels of chromium, nickel and zinc were analysed after ten and twenty days of treatment. Significant reduction in the level of zinc was observed and the results are discussed.