Lecture

Chromium: Environmental Impact and Biogeochemistry

Graph Chat

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.

Description

This lecture covers the environmental impact of chromium, a metal used in various industries, with a focus on its two oxidation states: Cr(III) and Cr(VI). It discusses the toxicity and carcinogenicity of Cr(VI), its presence in tap water, atmospheric transport, and its transformation pathways in different environments. The lecture also explores the detoxification mechanisms, reduction processes, and microbial interactions related to chromium contamination, emphasizing the importance of remediation strategies for groundwater and soil/sediment sites.

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Environmental remediation

Environmental remediation deals with the removal of pollution or contaminants from environmental media such as soil, groundwater, sediment, or surface water. Remedial action is generally subject to an array of regulatory requirements, and may also be based on assessments of human health and ecological risks where no legislative standards exist, or where standards are advisory. In the United States, the most comprehensive set of Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRGs) is from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Screening Levels (RSLs).

Soil contamination

Soil contamination, soil pollution, or land pollution as a part of land degradation is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by industrial activity, agricultural chemicals or improper disposal of waste. The most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (such as naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene), solvents, pesticides, lead, and other heavy metals.

Brownfield land

Brownfield refers to land that is abandoned or underutilized due to pollution from industrial use. The specific definition of brownfield land varies and is decided by policy makers and/or land developers within different countries. The main difference in definitions of whether a piece of land is considered a brownfield or not depends on the presence or absence of pollution. Overall, brownfield land is a site previously developed for industrial or commercial purposes and thus requires further development before reuse.

Oceanic crust

Oceanic crust is the uppermost layer of the oceanic portion of the tectonic plates. It is composed of the upper oceanic crust, with pillow lavas and a dike complex, and the lower oceanic crust, composed of troctolite, gabbro and ultramafic cumulates. The crust overlies the rigid uppermost layer of the mantle. The crust and the rigid upper mantle layer together constitute oceanic lithosphere. Oceanic crust is primarily composed of mafic rocks, or sima, which is rich in iron and magnesium.

Genetically modified animal

Genetically modified animals are animals that have been genetically modified for a variety of purposes including producing drugs, enhancing yields, increasing resistance to disease, etc. The vast majority of genetically modified animals are at the research stage while the number close to entering the market remains small. Genetic engineering techniquesThe process of genetically engineering mammals is a slow, tedious, and expensive process.

Related lectures (7)

Environmental Legislation: Soil Protection and Regulations

Explores soil protection, legislation, and strategies to prevent soil degradation and pollution in Switzerland.

Environmental Legislation and Soil Protection

Explores environmental legislation, soil contamination, and remediation strategies, emphasizing the importance of protecting soil fertility and public health.

Groundwater Pollution and Remediation

Explores dioxin pollution in Lausanne, Switzerland, highlighting health concerns, clean-up costs, and the need for precautionary measures.

Chromium: Water Quality and Biogeochemical Engine

Explores chromium properties, health impacts, environmental presence, contamination issues, transformation pathways, and microbial remediation strategies.

Environmental Legislation and Waste Management