J. Phys. IV France 107 (2003) 1275
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:20030533

Fate of tannery chromium contamination in a stream: Temporal and spatial evolution of chromium (111) and chromium (VI)

E. Szalinska¹, J. Dominik², A. Bobrowski³ and B. Bas<sup>3

1</sup>  Institute of Water Supply and Environmental Protection, Cracow University of Technology, ul. Warszawska 24, 31-155 Krakow, Poland
²  Institute F.-A. Forel, Université de Genève, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland
³  Department of Building Materials, Faculty of Material Sciences, University of Mining and Metallurgy, Krakow, Poland

Abstract
The cycle and transformations of Cr species originating ftom tannery wastewater were investigated in the upper Dunajec river catchment (South Poland). Contents of total Cr and Cr (VI) were measured in filtered water using catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry (CAdSV). Contents of Cr and Mn in bottom sediments and in suspended matter were determined with ICP-MS. With increasing distance flow Cr sources, a decrease of Cr concentration and an increase of the Cr (VI)/Cr(III) concentration ratio in filtered water are observed. This may be attributed to coagulation/sedimentation of colloid-bound Cr (III) and possibly oxidation of Cr (III) to Cr (VI).

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