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Hexavalent chromium release over time from a pyrolyzed Cr-bearing tannery sludge

Ghezzi, Lisa, Mugnaioli, Enrico, Perchiazzi, Natale, Duce, Celia, Pelosi, Chiara, Zamponi, Erika, Pollastri, Simone, Campanella, Beatrice, Onor, Massimo, Abdellatief, Mahmoud, Franceschini, Fabrizio, Petrini, Riccardo·2023·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-023-43579-9PMC PMC10539330
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Abstract

Pyrolysis in an inert atmosphere is a widely applied route to convert tannery wastes into reusable materials. In the present study, the Cr(III) conversion into the toxic hexavalent form in the pyrolyzed tannery waste referred to as KEU was investigated. Ageing experiments and leaching tests demonstrated that the Cr(III)–Cr(VI) inter-conversion occurs in the presence of air at ambient temperature, enhanced by wet environmental conditions. Microstructural analysis revealed that the Cr-primary mineral assemblage formed during pyrolysis (Cr-bearing srebrodolskite and Cr-magnetite spinel) destabilized upon spray water cooling in the last stage of the process. In the evolution from the higher to the lower temperature mineralogy, Cr is incorporated into newly formed CrOOH flakes which likely react in air forming extractable Cr(VI) species. This property transforms KEU from an inert waste to a hazardous material when exposed to ordinary ambient conditions.

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  • When not properly treated, the discharge of tannery wastewater results in elevated levels of Cr in the receiving waters.

    “When not properly treated, the discharge of tannery wastewater results in elevated levels of Cr in the receiving waters [3].”

    From Chromium Remediation from Tannery Wastewater in Arequipa, Peru: Local Experiences and Prospects for Sustainable Solutions (2025) · cites this paper as [3]

    The Introduction states that excess chromium remains in tanning liquor and is usually removed by treatment. It does not say that discharge of inadequately treated tannery wastewater raises chromium levels in receiving waters; the paper studies chromium release from treated sludge instead. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.79)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The release of tannery wastewater contributes to chromium pollution globally.

    “The release of tannery wastewater contributes to chromium (Cr) pollution globally.”

    From Chromium Remediation from Tannery Wastewater in Arequipa, Peru: Local Experiences and Prospects for Sustainable Solutions (2025) · cites this paper as [3]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) says chromium tanning is used in more than 80% of global leather production, that excess chromium remains in tanning liquor, and that leather manufacturing poses environmental threats. It does not say that tannery wastewater is released or that such releases cause chromium pollution globally; its focus is chromium-bearing sludge. (LLM, conf=0.79)

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Metadata

Authors
Ghezzi, L., Mugnaioli, E., Perchiazzi, N., Duce, C., Pelosi, C., Zamponi, E., Pollastri, S., Campanella, B., Onor, M., Abdellatief, M., Franceschini, F., & Petrini, R.
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2023-09-28
Volume
13
Issue
1
ISSN
2045-2322
DOI
10.1038/s41598-023-43579-9
PMC
PMC10539330
Cited by
9
References
0
Language
en
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