Bioreduction of Cr(VI) to less toxic Cr(III) by chromate-reducing bacteria has offered an ecological and economical option for chromate detoxification. The present study reports isolation of chromate-resistant bacterial strain Cr8 from chromium slag, identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and their potential use in Cr(VI) reduction. The reduced product associated with bacterial cell was characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. At initial concentrations of 100 and 200mg L-1 Cr(VI), P. stutzeri Cr8 reduced Cr(VI) completely within 24h, whereas it reduced almost 1000mg L-1 Cr(VI) at the end of 120h. Further, soil column leaching experiments were performed and found that bacterial cells reduced Cr(VI) leachate at faster rate that almost disappeared at the end of 168h. The leachate precipitates also revealed efficient chromate bioreduction. The remediation process utilizing P. stutzeri could be considered as a viable alternative to reduce Cr(VI) contamination, especially emanating from the overburden dumps of chromite ores and mine drainage.

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