Chromium Effects on Plants & Animals

Chromium is a heavy metal and is the sixth most abundant element in the earth's crust. It is used in metal alloys, automobile brake production and leather tanning. Plants and animals are primarily exposed to chromium through waste disposal, atmospheric deposition and groundwater contamination.

Types of Chromium

The two primary forms of chromium are trivalent chromium, Cr(III), and hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI). Trivalent chromium is required by plants and animals in low doses, and hexavalent chromium is an environmental pollutant.

Exposure to Chromium

Chromium is released into the environment mainly through industrial manufacturing. Exposure occurs through contaminated soil and water.

Effects on Plants

Hexavalent chromium can inhibit plant growth and development, and negatively affect physiological processes such as photosynthesis.

Effects on Animals

Chromium can negatively influence respiratory and reproductive processes in animals, disrupt hormone production, and even lead to mortality.

Persistence

Chromium can accumulate in the tissues of plants and animals; however, it is not known to accumulate through the food chain.

References

• cababstractsplus.org: Chromium Toxicity in Plants
• Lenntech: Chemical Properties of Chromium
• "Water SA;" Bioaccumulation of Chromium, Copper and Iron in the Organs and Tissues of Clarias gariepinus in the Olifants River, Kruger National Park; A. Avenant-Oldewage and H.M. Marx; October 2000