What is Chromium?

Table of Contents☰

About Chromium:

It is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals, plants, soil, and in volcanic dust and gases.
It is a very hard gray solid with a metallic luster.
There are two forms: trivalent chromium, which is safe for humans, and hexavalent chromium, which is a toxin.
Properties
- It does not tarnish in air, when heated it borns and forms the green chromic oxide.
- Chromium is unstable in oxygen, it immediately produces a thin oxide layer that is impermeable to oxygen and protects the metal below.
Applications
- Chromium use in iron, steel, and nonferrous alloys enhances hardenability and resistance to corrosion and oxidation.
- The use of chromium to produce stainless steel and nonferrous alloys are two of its more important applications.
- Other applications are in alloy steel, plating of metals, pigments, leather processing, catalysts, surface treatments, and refractories.

Where is Sukinda Valley?

It is in the State of Orissa.
It contains 97% of India’s chromite ore deposits and one of the largest open cast chromite ore mines in the world.
Approximately 70% of the surface water and 60% of the drinking water contains hexavalent chromium.
The Brahmani River is the only water source for the residents and treatment facilities are extremely limited.

Q1:What is an alloy?

A metal alloy is a substance that combines more than one metal or mixes a metal with other non-metallic elements. For example, brass is an alloy of two metals: copper and zinc.

Source: Get clean water for Sukinda Valley residents, NGT orders Odisha government