Mutagenicity in Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents and in Recipient

1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Langi ◽  
M. Priha
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Mutagenic Activity ◽  
Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Paper Mill Effluents ◽  
Kraft Mill

The mutagenic properties of pulp and paper mill effluents were studied in three mills: bleached kraft mill with aerated lagoon treatment (Mill 1), bleached kraft mill with activated sludge treatment (Mill 2) and mechanical pulp/paper mill (Mill 3). Both treated and untreated effluents, process streams and molecular fractions were tested for mutagenicity (Ames test. Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and SCE sister chromatid exchange test, Chinese hamster ovary cells). To verify the potential environmental effects the mutagenic activity of concentrated recipient lake water (Mill 2) was also studied. The Ames mutagenicity of the bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) originated from the first chlorination filtrate, SCE mutagenicity also occurred in the alkali extraction stage filtrate (Mill 1). No Ames mutagenicity was detected in the paper mill effluent, but it was SCE mutagenic. Activated sludge treatment of BKME removed both Ames and SCE mutagenicity, but the aerated lagoon treated BKME was still SCE mutagenic. No mutagenic activity was detected in the recipient water concentrates.

The Occurrence and Bioavailability of Retene and Resin Acids in Sediments of a Lake Receiving BKME (Bleached Kraft Mill Effluent)

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. T. Leppänen ◽  
A. O. J. Oikari
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Resin Acids ◽  
Background Concentration ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Paper Mill Effluents ◽  
Kraft Mill Effluent ◽  
Kraft Mill

Retene (7-isopropyl-1-methylphenantrene) is an alkyl substituted PAH derived primarily from bacterial aromatization of abietic type resin acids. Retene has been shown to induce cytochrome P450 1A in rainbow trout whereas e.g. dehydroabietic acid does not induce it. We analysed resin acids and retene in sediments from seven sites receiving pulp and paper mill effluents from 4 mills, and from two reference sites. All mills have employed treatment of waste waters by activated sludge. The highest concentration of retene measured in sediment was 1600 μg/g d.w. (11 700 μg/g organic carbon, OC) while the highest concentration of resin acids was 1500 μg/g d.w. (9 300 μg/g OC). Downstream from the point (12 km) of bleached kraft mill effluent discharge, the concentration of retene at the depth of 5-10 cm in sediment was still 16 μg/g d.w. (650 μg/g OC) and the concentration of resin acids 139 μg/g d.w. (1700 μg/g OC). Background concentration for retene on the upstream reference site was below 0.1 μg/g d.w and for resin acids below 70 μg/g d.w. Substantial concentrations of retene (54 μg/g d.w.) and resin acids (1470 μg/g d.w.) were also detected in sedimenting particles collected at the sediment sampling sites. When the concentrations and sedimentation rates before and after the installation of activated sludge systems were compared, the effect of improved waste water treatment on total amount of sedimenting resin acids and retene (μg/m2/day) is clear. To assess the bioavailability of retene we analysed its concentration in the bile of feral fish caught 1-2 km downstream of pulp and paper mill. Data on roach shows that retene in sediments can be bioavailable to fish feeding on benthic food chain.

Clarifier Performance in Activated Sludge Process Treating Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 313-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakari Halttunen
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Paper Industry ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Paper Mill Effluents ◽  
Sludge Settling ◽  
Activated Sludge Processes

High suspended solids concentrations are typical for pulp and paper industry treated effluents. A new clarifier model was developed to find the reasons for this problem. The model clarifier is divided into four different zones: inlet, settling, thickening and separation. In the inlet zone sludge is transported by water flow and neither thickening nor settling will happen. When water velocity decreases the main part of the sludge will settle until it reaches the thickening zone. Thickening will continue until the sludge is pumped away from the clarifier. Concentration increase depends on sludge concentration, time and specific thickening coefficient. The minor part, which is specific to the sludge, enters the separation zone and will either settle in the thickening zone or stay in the effluent. In intensive field studies on 12 different activated sludge processes sludge volume in the clarifier, effluent suspended solids concentrations and sludge settling qualities were examined. Modelled sludge blanket volumes were verified with blanket measurements. Modelled effluent suspended solids were also verified by concentration measurements. Sludge thickening characteristics can be estimated by DSVI. From the data collected two empirical relationships were noticed between sludge settling properties and process operation. Solids concentration in clarified water depends on settling number, which is the mean number of sludge settling during its residence time in the process (sludge age). Sludge settling properties seem to depend on collision load, which is defined as COD-load divided by return sludge biomass flow.

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

2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 161-171 ◽  
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.

Effects of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents on Reproduction, Bile Conjugates and Liver MFO (Mixed Function Oxygenase) Activity in Fish at Southern Lake Saimaa, Finland

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aarno Karels ◽  
Markus Soimasuo ◽  
Aimo Oikari
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Erod Activity ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Coregonus Lavaretus ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Paper Mill Effluents ◽  
Mixed Function Oxygenase ◽  
Estradiol 17Β ◽  
Lake Saimaa

Reproductive indices like gonad size, fecundity, egg size and sex steroid levels of estradiol-17β and testosterone, vitellogenin in the blood as well as bile conjugates and liver 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity were studied in populations of perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) and experimentally exposed juvenile whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L. s.l.) at the Southern Lake Saimaa (S.E. Finland). Our studies showed that the introduction of elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching and secondary treatment of effluents in a modern activated sludge plant at the mill in 1992 have substantially reduced the exposure of feral and caged fish to organochlorines. The liver EROD activity was noticeably lower in feral and caged fish near the mill indicating lesser impacts on the liver mixed function oxygenase (MFO) system. However, at the mill site, liver EROD activies in feral and caged fish still tend to be one to four times higher than at the reference sites. Significantly decreased plasma estradiol-17β and testosterone concentrations in perch and roach in the period of development of the gonads (autumn and winter) indicate that there were endocrine disrupting compounds present in the lake receiving ECF pulp and paper mill effluents. Cause-effect relationships, however, are difficult to establish.

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