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Screening the toxicity of phosphorous‐removal adsorbents using a bioluminescence inhibition test
Author(s) -
Duranceau Steven J.,
Biscardi Paul G.,
Barnhill Danielle K.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
environmental toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1522-7278
pISSN - 1520-4081
DOI - 10.1002/tox.22062
Subject(s) - fly ash , alum , adsorption , chemistry , toxicity , ec50 , environmental chemistry , environmental remediation , phosphorus , bioassay , pulp and paper industry , nuclear chemistry , waste management , contamination , organic chemistry , ecology , biochemistry , genetics , engineering , in vitro , biology
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. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 489–495, 2016.