ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Kinetic Study of Redox Processes of Chromium
in Natural River Water
R. Świetlik
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Technical University of Radom, Department of Environmental Protection
26-600 Radom, Chrobrego 27, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2002;11(4):441-447
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Chromium contamination in the area of the Radomka river basin in Poland has lead to significant
environmental problems. Therefore, chromium redox transformations were investigated in the aquatic environment
under conditions as close to natural as possible ± at intermediate pH and in the presence of original
bottom sediment and dissolved oxygen.
Reduction of Cr(VI) in the Radomka river water occurs at a low rate (t1/2 = 19 h). The rate of Cr(VI)
reduction increased in the river water spiked by HA (t1/2 = 0.5 h), and Fe(II) (t1/2 = 2 min). The kinetics of
Cr(VI) reduction by Fe(II) was dependent on the evolution of the forms of Cr(VI) and the competing Fe(II)
oxidation reaction by dissolved oxygen. The reduction of Cr(VI) by humic acids appeared to be a significantly
slower process than Fe(II) oxidation by O2.
Chromium(III) present in the tanning liquor used and the aged solution of chromium sulphate was less
prone to oxidation by MnO2 than Cr(III) introduced with chromium nitrate and sulphate solutions (7% and
10% conversion over 1 h in comparison with 55% and 32%, respectively). Chromium deposits in bottom
sediment turned out to be resistant to oxidation by MnO2.