Speciation of chromium in the presence of copper and zinc and their combined toxicity

Speciation of chromium has attracted a great deal of interest in view of the toxic properties of Cr6+ compared with the much less toxic Cr3+. A freshwater plant, duckweed which is uniquely suitable for aquatic toxicity tests is utilized to study the growth responses and accumulation of chromium in the presence of copper and zinc. Speciation analysis was carried out by using differently activated alumina. Metal ion concentrations in the plant were determined by FAA spectrometry. Results of the present study revealed that the oxidation state of chromium as well as its concentration in media controlled the growth and the metal accumulation in duckweed. Regarding this, Lemna minor (common duckweed species) accumulated Cr3+ in smaller quantities and it resulted in relatively larger growth responses, whereas Cr6+ was accumulated in larger quantities and it yielded relatively smaller growth responses. Different types of metal interactions among chromium, copper, and zinc ions were evident. These interactions were classified as synergistic, antagonistic, and additive and they were strictly dependent on the oxidation state of the chromium ion.