EN
A total of 53 strains of chromium-resistant bacteria were isolated from Meiliang Bay of Taihu Lake, China and were tested for Cr(VI) resistance. The strain THKCS311 with the maximum growth value under Cr(VI) stress was regarded as the optimal strain for further study. The partial sequences were amplified from the strain and the BLAST query revealed that it was closely related to Bacillus sp., and it had 98% homologous to Bacillus mycoides strain 273 and Bacillus anthracis strain ATCC 14578. Batch experiments were conducted to remove Cr(VI) using THKCS311, and the effects of the initial Cr(VI) concentration, pH, and temperature condition on Cr(VI) removal efficiency were investigated. The results showed that Bacillus sp. can mediate reduction of Cr(VI)-Cr(III), and the removal efficiency decreased with the increase of initial Cr(VI) concentration. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) was highest at pH 6.5 and 35ºC, and removal efficiencies were 59.2% and 60.7%, respectively. SEM micrographs indicated that THKCS311 cells were irregular and cracked with the appearance of wrinkles on the surface after Cr(VI) stress.