Effect of Leather Tanning Effluent on Chromium Contamination in Paddy Fields

Abstract

Leather tanning industry effluent contains high chromium (Cr) concentrations and poses environmental threats. In this study, we investigated the impact of leather tanning effluent contamination in water, soil, paddy, its grain and and its other morphometric parameters under the irrigated areas in the Ciwalen River, West Java. The result showed high Cr concentration in Ciwalen water stream, soil and paddy. The higher Cr concentrations of soil and paddy were found in the upstream area and closer plot to the main river stream. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) values were <1, indicating that paddy has a low ability to accumulate Cr. However, paddy morphometric parameters, including total length, root length, and the number of leaves, decreased with higher Cr concentrations affected by leather tanning effluents.