Evaluation of the Efficacy of Sulfite Pulp Mill Pollution Abatement Using Oyster Larvae

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Abstract
Improvement in marine water quality due to treatment of sulfite pulp mill effluents (SPME) was assessed in two regions of Puget Sound, Washington, from 1972 to 1975. The acute toxicity of these waters to larvae of Pacific oysters was the primary criterion for assessing water quality. Incineration of sulfite waste liquor (SWL) dramatically reduced the extent and scope of receiving water toxicity to oyster larvae. For example, more than 30 km2 of receiving water near Everett, Washington, was highly toxic to oyster larvae in 1972 before incineration of SWL, but only 1 km2 was similarly toxic in 1975 after institution of this process. The results suggested that secondary treatment may not be required to eliminate receiving water toxicity from SPME to Pacific oyster larvae. However, a definitive judgement cannot be made until the effects of SPME on the life cycles of sensitive, indigenous species have been determined.

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