Screening The Toxicity Of Phosphorous-Removal Adsorbents Using A Bioluminescence Inhibition Test

Keywords

Adsorption; Bioluminescent bacteria; Eutrophication; Nutrients; Water quality

Abstract

When found in excess, phosphorus (P) has been linked to surface water eutrophication. As a result, adsorbents are now used in P remediation efforts. However, possible secondary toxicological impacts on the use of new materials for P removal from surface water have not been reported. This study evaluated the toxicity of adsorbent materials used in the removal of P from surface water including: fly ash, bottom ash, alum sludge, a proprietary mix of adsorbents, and a proprietary engineered material. Toxicity screening was conducted by performing solid-liquid extractions (SLEs) followed by the bacterial bioluminescence inhibition test with a Microtox® M500. Of the materials tested, the samples extracted at lower pH levels demonstrated higher toxicity. The material exhibiting the most toxic response was the iron and aluminum oxide coated engineered material registering a 66-67% 15-min EC50 level for pH 4 and 5 SLEs, respectively. However, for SLEs prepared at pH 7, toxic effects were not detected for this engineered material. Fly ash and bottom ash demonstrated between 82 and 84% 15-min EC50 level, respectively, for pH 4 SLE conditions. Dried alum sludge and the proprietary mix of adsorbents were classified as having little to no toxicity.

Publication Date

4-1-2016

Publication Title

Environmental Toxicology

Volume

31

Issue

4

Number of Pages

489-495

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.22062

Socpus ID

84960539622 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84960539622

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