Use of microtox tests for screening industrial wastewater toxicity

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Abstract
Conventional parameters such as chemical oxygen demand and suspended solids may not detect toxic compounds present in a variety of industrial wastewaters and treated wastes. Thus, the presence of toxicity in many industrial wastes presents a significant impact on biological wastewater treatment, and exerts adverse effects on receiving waters. Because of their easy technique and rapid turnaround results, the Microtox tests were used in this study to pinpoint unusual wastewaters, evaluate the toxicity reduction through activated sludge processes, observe the impact of excessive chemical addition to meet the transparency standard, and measure the impact of waste discharge on one particular receiving water. It was found that the results of Microtox tests were useful for such purposes; i.e., low COD wastes exhibited high Microtox toxicity; some activated sludge processes removed significant toxicity; and some effluents from coagulation/oxidation processes showed an increased toxicity. The application of the Microtox test to wastewater management is discussed.

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