Characterization of chrome buffing dust (CBD) generated from NILEST tannery associated with pathogenic fungi

An attempt was made to monitor the level of chromium from chrome buffing dust waste (CBD) from Nilest tannery through preliminary investigation of the physicochemical characteristic of dried buffing dust (CBD) waste: pH, temperature (°C), alkalinity (mg/L), ash content (%), crude fibre (%) for example, using effluent and reference water sample as (control). Comparative study of the mean values of CBD, effluent and reference water sample were also assessed. Comparative studies of fungal isolates from CBD, effluent and reference water were also assessed in situ. A total of four fungi species were observed from CBD: Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus with fungal count of 5.43 × 103 CFU/ml, followed by effluent sample: A. niger and A. flavus with fungal count of 2.48 × 103 CFU/ml and none was observed in reference water sample. The study recommended the combination of pyrolysis incineration and bioremediation methods for effective treatment of chrome buffing dust (CBD).   Key words: Buffing dust, physical properties, pathogenic fungi.