[Crocoite reduction by a culture of Pseudomonas chromatophila sp. nov]

Two cultures of chromium reducing bacteria have been isolated from samples of water accumulated at the bottom of an open-cut chromium deposit and from industrial sewage. The cultures were found to be identical. The cultures are described and their taxonomical position is discussed. They have been classed as Psuedomonas chromatophila sp. nov. the cultures reduce Cr(VI) from crocoite PbCrO4 to Cr(III). A possibility of chromium reducing bacteria being involved in the conversion of crocoite to chromite in the oxidation zone of chromite deposits is discussed.