The Effects of Final Treated Effluent and In-Mill Waste Streams from a Canadian Thermomechanical Pulp and Paper Mill on Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) Reproduction

Abstract The effect on fish reproduction of final treated effluent from a thermomechanical pulp mill in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, was studied using mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), an endemic fish species of the Atlantic coast of North America. A 1997 artificial stream study at the same mill showed a reduction in gonad sizes in mummichog after a 28-day exposure to 3% final treated effluent. In 2005, we reevaluated final treated effluent, and conducted a toxicity source evaluation to identity waste stream sources within the mill that may cause reproductive effects. Relative to reference, no significant differences in gonad size, plasma levels of gonadal sex steroids, egg production, or stage of egg development were observed in fish exposed to 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100% final treated effluent or in-mill waste streams. Unlike the previous study in 1997, these data indicate a low potential for an effect of final effluent on fish reproduction. Since the 1997 study there were no major process changes that could explain the differences in the results. However, there was high variability in gonad size, egg production, and endocrine endpoints measured in the more recent test, which resulted in low power to detect differences. This has prompted research to refine the current reproductive test by optimizing study design.

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Fluidized Bed Technology in the Anaerobic Treatment of Forest Industry Wastewaters

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1985.0006 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 77-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

M S Salkinoja-Salonen ◽

R Hakulinen ◽

L Silakoski ◽

J Apajalahti ◽

V Backström ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Kraft Pulp ◽

Pulp Mill ◽

Anaerobic Treatment ◽

Forest Industry ◽

Thermomechanical Pulp ◽

Fluidised Bed ◽

Treatment Efficiency ◽

Waste Streams ◽

Thermomechanical Pulping ◽

Mill Waste

The reasons for studying anaerobic fluidised bed technology for the treatment of forest industry wastewaters are twofold: the very large volume enforcing hydraulic loading beyond the limits tolerated by conventional anaerobic techniques and the low nutrient need compared with aerobic methods. In this paper we describe the results obtained for four different pulp mill waste streams: sulfite bleaching and evaporator condensate wastewaters , wastewater from displacement bleaching of kraft pulp and from thermomechanical pulping. We found that all four could be purified anaerobically within a hydraulic detention time of ≤12h and with a treatment efficiency of 3 to 4 kg of CODCr removed m−3 d−1. 80 to 90% of the CODCr of the thermomechanical pulp mill wastewater and evaporator condensate could be removed during anaerobic treatment, yielding ≥0.5m3 of biogas kg−1 CODCr removed. The bleaching wastewaters needed aerobic post-treatment and yielded little or no biogas.

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Effects of Neutral Sulfite Semichemical Pulp Mill Effluent in the Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus.) Adult Fish Reproductive Test

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.2010.023 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 201-208 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Thijs Bosker ◽

L. Mark Hewitt ◽

Meghan A. Doyle ◽

Deborah L. MacLatchy

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Fundulus Heteroclitus ◽

Pulp Mill ◽

Wild Fish ◽

Freshwater Species ◽

Adult Fish ◽

Paper Mill Effluents ◽

Gonad Size ◽

Semichemical Pulp ◽

Final Effluent

Abstract Short-term adult fish reproductive tests using freshwater species have demonstrated negative impacts on egg production in fish exposed to complex pulp and paper mill effluents. In an effort to address the ability of laboratory tests to predict effects on wild fish, mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) were exposed in saltwater conditions for 21 days to 3 and 30% final effluent of a neutral sulfite semichemical pulp mill that discharges into an estuarine environment in eastern Canada. Although no effects on gonad size, liver size, or condition factor were found, egg production was significantly increased by 31% and decreased by 30% when fish were exposed to 3 and 30% final effluent, respectively. This study i) is the first to demonstrate a decrease in egg production when fish are exposed to complex effluents under estuarine conditions and ii) provides the first linkage of effects on gonad size in wild fish to egg production from laboratory testing in the same species. In so doing, this study also demonstrates the utility of egg production measurements to further investigate the causes and solutions to the effects of mill effluents in both freshwater and marine wild fish.

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The Benefits of Biotreatment for Reducing the Effects of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents on Fish Reproduction in Laboratory Tests

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.2008.019 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (2-3) ◽

pp. 161-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Pierre Martel ◽

Tibor Kovacs ◽

Virginie Bérubé

Keyword(s):

Laboratory Tests ◽

Egg Production ◽

Pimephales Promelas ◽

Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Reproductive Capacity ◽

Fish Reproduction ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

Paper Mill Effluents ◽

Gonad Size

Abstract Pulp and paper mill effluents have been reported to cause changes in reproductive indicators of fish in laboratory and field studies. These changes include reduced egg production and gonad size, and altered hormone levels and expression of secondary sex characteristics. We examined the performance of biotreatment plants for their potential in abating effects of pulp and paper mill effluents on fish reproduction under laboratory conditions. A bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) treated in an aerated lagoon and a thermomechanical pulp mill effluent (TMPE) treated by aerobic sludge in a sequential batch reactor were selected for study. Mature fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to effluents before and after biotreatment under continuous renewal conditions for 21 days. Egg production was monitored daily, while morphometric parameters (length, weight, gonad size), secondary sexual characteristics, and steroid hormone and vitellogenin levels were measured at the end of the effluent exposure. The effluent from both mills before biotreatment impaired the reproductive capacity of minnows (egg production) at concentrations of 10 and 20% vol/vol, but not at 2% vol/vol. Exposure to biotreated effluents from both mills at concentrations of 2, 10, 20, and 40% vol/vol caused no significant differences in overall reproductive capacity of minnows as compared with controls. These results indicate that biotreatment can significantly improve the quality of a BKME and an effluent from a TMP mill with respect to the reproductive capacity of fish as determined in laboratory tests.

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COMPOUNDS TOXIC TO FISH IN PULP MILL WASTE STREAMS

Eighth International Conference on Water Pollution Research ◽

10.1016/b978-0-08-020902-9.50114-0 ◽

1978 ◽

pp. 787-798

Author(s):

J.M. Leach ◽

A.N. Thakore

Keyword(s):

Pulp Mill ◽

Waste Streams ◽

Mill Waste

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Application of a Pair-Breeding Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Adult Reproduction Bioassay to a Pulp Mill Effluent

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.2007.011 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 82-90 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Carrie J. Rickwood ◽

Monique G. Dubé

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Fathead Minnow ◽

Hatching Success ◽

Gonadosomatic Index ◽

Pimephales Promelas ◽

Pulp Mill ◽

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds ◽

Pulp Mill Effluent ◽

Short Term ◽

Treated Effluent

Abstract A short-term reproductive bioassay was applied to observe performance of pair-breeding fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) before and after exposure to treated pulp and paper mill effluent. Reproductive performance was assessed for 21 days under controlled laboratory conditions to obtain baseline data of endpoints including cumulative egg production, number of spawning events, hatching success, and occurrence of deformed larvae. Breeding pairs were then exposed to 50 and 100% concentrations of secondary treated effluent for an additional 21 days. A significant reduction in egg production after exposure to both 100 and 50% pulp mill effluent was observed. This was accompanied by an increased appearance of pathological lesions (eosinophilic material) in male gonads as well as increased gonad size (gonadosomatic index). Reduced hatching success and appearance of larval deformities were also observed after exposure to both 50 and 100% pulp mill effluent. The pattern of responses observed may indicate that the reduced reproductive output was due to exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds within the effluent. By using the short-term fathead minnow bioassay, we were able to identify a response pattern to pulp mill effluent that is indicative of exposure to estrogenic and/or androgenic compounds.

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Methods for Facilitating Microbial Growth on Pulp Mill Waste Streams and Characterization of the Biodegradation Potential of Cultured Microbes

Journal of Visualized Experiments ◽

10.3791/51373 ◽

2013 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stephanie L. Mathews ◽

Ali S. Ayoub ◽

Joel Pawlak ◽

Amy M. Grunden

Keyword(s):

Microbial Growth ◽

Pulp Mill ◽

Waste Streams ◽

Mill Waste

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Responses in a Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Lifecycle Test and in Wild White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni) Exposed to a Canadian Bleached Kraft Mill Effluent

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.2010.022 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 187-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Joanne L. Parrott ◽

L. Mark Hewitt ◽

Tibor G. Kovacs ◽

Deborah L. MacLatchy ◽

Pierre H. Martel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Fathead Minnow ◽

Pimephales Promelas ◽

Fish Reproduction ◽

White Sucker ◽

Catostomus Commersoni ◽

Liver Size ◽

Paper Mill Effluent ◽

Kraft Mill Effluent ◽

Kraft Mill

Abstract To evaluate currently available bioassays for their use in investigating the causes of pulp and paper mill effluent effects on fish reproduction, the responses of wild white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) collected from the receiving environment at the bleached kraft mill at La Tuque, Quebec, were compared with responses of fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) exposed to effluent in a laboratory lifecycle test. White sucker collected at effluent exposed sites had increased liver size but none of the reproductive effects that had been documented in earlier field studies at this site. Exposure to 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100% bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) in the lab led to significantly decreased length, but increased weight and liver size in male fathead minnow. Female length was also decreased and liver size was increased at high effluent exposures. Most effluent concentrations (1 to 30%) significantly increased egg production compared with controls. The fathead minnow lifecycle assay mirrored the effects seen in wild fish captured downstream of the BKME discharge. These results will be used to select short-term fish tests for investigating the causes of and solutions to the effects of mill effluents on fish reproduction.

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Pulp mill process closure: a review of global technology developments and mill experiences in the 1990s

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2004.0192 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 183-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

S.C. Stratton ◽

P.L. Gleadow ◽

A.P. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Manufacturing Industry ◽

Pollution Prevention ◽

Optimal Solution ◽

Pulp Mill ◽

Thermomechanical Pulp ◽

Pulp Mills ◽

Oxygen Delignification ◽

Manufacturing Operations ◽

The Impact ◽

Mill Process

The impact of effluent discharges continues to be an important issue for the pulp manufacturing industry. Considerable progress has been made in pollution prevention to minimize waste generation, so-called manufacturing “process closure.” Since the mid-1980s many important technologies have been developed and implemented, many of these in response to organochlorine concerns. Zero effluent operation is now a reality for a few bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) pulp mills. In kraft pulp manufacturing, important developments include widespread adoption of new cooking techniques, oxygen delignification, closed screening, improved process control, new bleaching methods, and systems that minimize pulping liquor losses. Coupled to this is a commitment to reduce water use and maximize reuse of in-mill process streams. Some companies pursued bleach plant closure, and many have been successful in eliminating a portion of their bleaching wastewaters. However, the difficulties inherent in closing bleach plants are considerable. For many mills the optimal solution has been found to be a high degree of closure coupled with external biological treatment of the remaining process effluent. No bleach plants at papergrade bleached kraft mills are known to be operating effluent-free on a continuous basis. This paper reviews the important worldwide technological developments and mill experiences in the 1990s that were focused on minimizing environmental impacts of pulp manufacturing operations.

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