Phytoremediation Enhanced with Concurrent Microbial Plant Growth Promotion and Hexavalent Chromium Bioreduction

Contamination of agriculturally arable land with industry derived pollutants including heavy metals such as chromium has affected soil fertility as well plant, animal and human health by indirectly entering the food chain. Hexavalent chromium is a byproduct of tanning, electroplating, wood, dye, paper, glass, ceramic etc. industries and is usually discharged as industrial effluent. Cr (VI) is a toxic, water insoluble form and Cr (III)/Cr(IV) state is water soluble and less toxic form usually required in the form of micronutrients. Chromium and its derivatives have shown to decrease biomass, affect physiological activity, histological alterations leading to mutagenic and carcinogenic effects for plant and animal cells [1-3]. Chromium bioremediation has long being recognized as an economical and ecofriendly solution to the problem [4]. Recent field and in situ studies now provide concrete evidence to the effectiveness of novel bio augmentation strategies that integrate desirable properties to achieve the end goal. One such strategy is to use multifaceted micro-organisms that can concurrently reduce toxic Cr(VI), produce plant growth promoting products that enhance plant growth of species which exhibit phytoremediation properties [5,6].