As of 2026-09-11 · the last 10 years
Chromium’s research intensity is currently at about 29% of its all-time peak, a level reached before this window began.
Research intensity ran from about 37% of the element's own all-time peak in 2016 to about 29% in 2026 — a steady decline, and the all-time peak (1979) lies before this window. Over the same span its share of research attention across all elements fell. Among the 118 elements, chromium has a larger-than-average research literature.
The number of papers involving the element rose from about 16,278 in 2016 to about 39,528 in 2025 (2.43x). That matches the growth of the literature as a whole over the same years: the general tide of scientific output, not a surge specific to the element.
The largest research community, Chromium Hexavalent Reduction and Removal in Wastewater, accounts for about 42% of the element's recent research. These papers focus on reducing toxic hexavalent chromium to trivalent forms and removing chromium ions from contaminated water using adsorption and zero-valent iron. Chromium is one strand of a broader community, with about 23% of its papers involving chromium. This community is declining in share, having held about 50% of the element's research in the earlier period. A 2021 paper on chromium contamination and remediation, cited over 770 times, anchors this work, alongside a 2023 review on zeolite adsorption, cited over 470 times.
Chromium in High-Chromium Cast Irons for Abrasion represents about 10% of the element's recent research, a steady share compared to the previous period. These papers focus on the microstructure and wear resistance of high-chromium cast irons, distinguishing them from general stainless steel fabrication. Chromium is a minor presence in a much larger community, with about 3% of its papers involving chromium. A 2024 study on passive film stability, cited over 100 times, highlights this area.
Chromium Toxicity and Stress Response in Crop Plants comprises about 4% of the element's recent research, also steady. These papers examine chromium uptake and hexavalent toxicity in maize, wheat, and rice, focusing on oxidative stress and mitigation strategies. Chromium is a minor presence in a much larger community, with about 2% of its papers involving chromium. A 2025 Science paper on global soil pollution, cited over 840 times, is a key recent contribution.
The remainder of the literature, held by other research communities, accounts for about 45% of the element's recent research, showing a steady share.
For a deeper look at chromium's current standing, see the Last 12 Months and Executive Brief reports.
What changed in the past year: new papers, shifting applications, emerging collaborators. See the momentum over a shorter window than the decade view.
Personal →See recent trends — Personal.
A by-topic status read of what changed and what's new — built for decision-makers, not search engines. Citation clusters, emerging applications, and the papers that matter most.
Professional →See the executive read — Professional.
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Showing Chromium's three strongest connections. Personal opens the slider and the whole 118-element graph.