Evaluation of wastewater effluents by small-scale biotests and a fractionation procedure

Refractory organic pollutants and toxicity in pulp and paper mill wastewaters

“…For example, bioassay, such as reverse electron transport (RET) assay is suitable for showing the toxicity of, e.g. lignin derivatives (Pessala et al 2004). However, the tests do not give an insight of the causes of toxicity, and for that purpose, physical and chemical analyses are needed (Sponza 2002).…”

Review of the Methods for Acute and Chronic Toxicity Assessment of Single Substances, Effluents and Industrial Waters

“…These problems are not completely solved employing standard methods. Some authors consider that the use of only conventional acute toxicity tests for effluent assessment is and will not be sufficient as genotoxic, hormonal, endocrine disruption and even the bioaccumulative potential of effluents and effluent fractions should be evaluated as well (Pessala et al 2004;Breitholtz et al 2007). The implementation of the new European legislation (REACH) on chemicals will cause a number of changes in ecological risk assessment and development of reliable and ecologically relevant test methods (Breitholtz et al 2007), approaches and methodologies.…”

Anaerobic treatment of cellulose bleach plant wastewater: chlorinated organics and genotoxicity removal

“…Although there are no acute toxic effects, it should be noted that there is the possibility that the residual organic load presents chronic toxic effects and mutagenic activity, effects on the organisms that are considered to be sublethal. Pessala et al (2004) note that the analysis of acute toxicity to assess the toxicity of industrial effluents is not enough and suggest that the genotoxicity, chronic toxicity and the effect on the hormonal system must be simultaneously evaluated. Thus, it would be possible to correlate the global parameter limits (AOX, COD, TOC) with more subtle effects on the organisms (Springer, 2000).…”