The development of hexavalent chromium
remediating fibrous biocomposite mats through the
immobilization of a hexavalent chromium reducing bacterial strain,
Morganella morganii
STB5, on the surfaces
of electrospun polystyrene and polysulfone webs is
described. The bacteria-immobilized biocomposite webs
have shown removal yields of 93.60 and 93.79 % for
10 mg/L, 99.47 and 90.78 % for 15 mg/L and 70.41 and
68.27 % for 25 mg/L of initial hexavalent chromium
within 72 h, respectively, and could be reused for at least
five cycles. Storage test results indicate that the biocomposite mats can be stored without losing their bioremoval
capacities. Scanning electron microscopy images of the
biocomposite webs demonstrate that biofilms of
M. morganii STB5 adhere strongly to the fibrous polymeric
surfaces and are retained after repeated cycles of use.
Overall, the results suggest that reusable bacteria-immobilized fibrous biocomposite webs might be applicable for
continuous hexavalent chromium remediation in water
systems.
