Five morphologically different fungi were isolated from leather tanning effluent in which Aspergillus sp. and Hirsutella sp. had higher potential to remove chromium. The potential of Aspergillus sp. for removal of chromium was evaluated in shake flask culture in different pH, temperature, inoculums size, carbon and nitrogen Source. The maximum chromium was removed at pH 6, temperature 30 degrees C, sodium acetate (0.2%) and yeast extract (0.1%). Aspergillus sp. was applied in 2 1 bioreactor for removal of chromium, and it was observed that 70% chromium was removed after 3 days. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.