CHROMIUM IMPACT ON MARINE ECOSYSTEM

Abstract

This study is an overview of chromium in marine environment. Chromium is a heavy metal with toxic potential for marine environment. Water contaminations occur by atmospheric pollution as major source. Chromium alloy and metal producing industry, cooling towers, industrial discharged into the water (electropainting and metal finishing industries being the major sources) and runoff from urban areas are the principal sources. In aquatic environment chromium is found as Cr (III) and Cr (VI) as water soluble complex anions. Information on the geochemical behavior of Cr in seawater is limited. Bioaccumulation occurs mostly in marine biota that utilize gill. Chromium, however, does not appear to be accumulated at higher trophic level in the marine food web. All available evidence suggests that Cr is not biomagnified in marine environments. However, K.R. Campbell study results (1995) suggest that biomagnification could be occurring. Of all the metals, Cr has truly unique toxicological characteristics. Toxicological impact can result both from the action of Cr (VI) itself as an oxidizing agent and from Cr (III) which is capable of complexing with various organic compounds and thus may inhibit several metalloenzyme systems. It is concluded that Cr (VI) is more toxic to marine organisms. Oceans and seas are the ultimate receptacle for pollutants. Metals are continuously accumulating in marine environment, except for a minor portion that may be taken away along with marine food and other products (15).