| As a result of the wide use of chromium (Cr) and its compounds as well as the exposure of the Cr-containing wastes, air, soil, water and food could be polluted by Cr in varying degrees. Cr is a toxic element that occurs in highly variable oxidation states. Accordingly, environmental chromium pollution, especially the soil contamination with Cr, has become one of the focuses of environmental science. In this review, the factors influencing the transport, transformation and the ecotoxicity of chromium were summarized, for example, soil properties (pH, Eh, organic matter, clay minerals), species and concentrations of Cr and the plant species. Based on this, the evaluation methods of chromium ecological risk in the soil-plant systems were covered by taking the comprehensive analysis of eco-toxicological data of plants, soil microorganisms and soil animals in the soil-plant systems. Finally, the possible shortages and prospects of chromium research in this field were discussed. |
