Anwendung von biologischen Testverfahren an Abwässern der Textilindustrie

Testing Effluents of the Textile Refining Industry with Biological Methods The environmental problems caused by the manufacture of finished textiles involve a long chain of individual processes. This “textile chain” includes very diverse enterprises of varied size and structure. The textile refiners occupy a key position in the “textile chain”. On the one hand, this is due to their use of an obscurely large number of chemicals which can end up in the wastewater as well as in the textile products. On the other hand, this key role of the textile refining industry is based on their central position between the preproduction stage and the consumers. This study dealt with the textile refining industry's wastewater. As measured by volume and contents of its wastewater, this industry can be counted among the major industrial plants which discharge into municipal wastewater treatment plants. German wastewater legislation includes the provision that substances which are toxic, persistent, capable of accumulating, carcinogenic, fetotoxic or mutagenic be kept out of natural waters as well as technically possible (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz WHG). Several biotest methods for examining the effect of the substances contained in the wastewater were incorporated into the appendix of the German wastewater regulation (Rahmenabwasser-Verwaltungsvorschrift based on § 7a WHG). The aim of this study was to show, with the aid of biotest methods, how strongly the wastewater of textile refining companies is polluted as compared to other known industrial branches and to what degree the pollution of these wastewaters is eliminated by the treatment in wastewater treatment plants. Finally, we experimented to find out which biotest methods were suited for the examination of these wastewaters. The study's results show that the ecotoxicity of the textile refining industry's wastewater was only extraordinary high in isolated cases as compared to other examined branches of industry. The textile wastewaters exhibit values of G_L = 3 to G_L = 96 in the luminescent bacteria test, G_D = 1 to G_D = 192 (with one exception of G_D > 30000) in the daphnia test and G_F < = 2 to G_F = 32 in the fish test. It turned out though, that a large number of the samples from the textile refining companies (27%) reacted mutagenically in the Ames test in their native state. Consecutive tests for chromosomal aberrations (V79 hamster cell test) also showed mutagenic potential in five out of nine native samples. The employed testing methods with fish, daphnia and luminescent bacteria demonstrate a higher sensitivity of the luminescent bacteria and/or the daphnia as opposed to the fish in most cases. As the fish test is controversial anyway on the grounds of animal protection, a replacement of the fish test by these other tests should be aimed at: on account of the different end points of the luminescent bacteria and the daphnia test, a combination of these tests appears most sensible.     

Zur Toxizität einfacher und komplexer Cyanide gegenüber Wasserorganismen

The toxic effects of alkali cyanide, complex cyanide-containing heavy metal salts—as of iron, cadmium, copper, nickel and mercury—were investigated according to standard methods with the aid of the test organisms Poecilia reticulata (guppy) as well as the green alga Ankistrodesmus falcatus (β- bis α-mesosaprobic). Since various complex compounds can be photolytically decomposed, also discontinuous light-dark phases were used. As discussed equilibrium calculations have shown, inter alia also the pH-value is important in the fish organisms used with different reactions to ions and molecularly dissolved compounds. The results are summarized in tables and graphic representations, the substances investigated being classified into groups with “strong” and “high” toxic actions.     

Zur derivativspektroskopischen Bestimmung der Ligninsulfonsäure in Gegenwart von Huminsäuren

A Specord M 40 device with the Date Handling 1 computer cassette was used for the derivative-spectroscopie determination of lignosulphonic acid. Because of the higher sensitivity and the better evaluable peaks, the 2nd derivation of the five possible derivations was used. The analysis method described in detail was tested with test substances on a surface water which was polluted with waste-products from the pulp industry. With the stated device parameters, the lignosulphonic acid up to 2 mg/l can be determined in the presence of humic acids and chlorolignosulphonic acids. In weakly polluted waters, as groundwaters and shore filtrates. still lignosulphonic acid concentrations of 0.1 mg/l can be detected after an adequate enrichment.     

Bestimmung von Umweltqualitätsnormen für potenziell gewässerrelevante Stoffe

With the Water Framework Directive (WFD) the European Commission (EC) is requested to define environmental quality standards for pollutants to protect aquatic life in surface waters. Quality standards have to be derived by a scientific risk assessment and should not be exceeded. The recommended quality standards are mainly based on long term toxicological tests with algae, crustaceans and fish. The lowest effect concentration is divided by an assessment factor between 10 and 1000, which considers the data quality and quantity. In this work funded by the German Länder Working Party on Water (Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Wasser – LAWA) environmental quality standards for 40 considered relevant substances were derived for aquatic ecosystems. The data sheets cover the identification of the compounds, their behaviour in the environment (physical‐chemical properties, biotic and abiotic degradation, sorption, bioaccumulation), information about mode of action, uses, analytical determination and available quality criteria. Ecotoxicological effect concentrations for bacteria, algae, protozoa, aquatic plants, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, insects and molluscs are listed. For 17 of the 40 hazardous substances investigated, quality objectives above 1 μg/L were derived. For 12 substances the values were between 0.1 μg/L and 1 μg/L and for 5 substances lower than 0.1 μg/L. Incomplete ecotoxicological data sets of the remaining compounds do not allow the derivation of quality standards. Especially for drugs further ecotoxicological test results are needed.     

Die neue EG‐Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Bewertung der chemischen und ökologischen Qualität von Oberflächengewässern

The New EC Framework Water Directive: Assessment of the Chemical and Ecological Status of Surface Waters The main objective of the draft EC Framework Water Directive is the good quality of all surface waters. The directive provides for an assessment of the chemical status of surface waters (EU‐wide valid environmental quality standards for approximately 30 priority substances) and a five‐stage ecological classification of waters, comprising the stages high, good, moderate, poor, and bad. The starting point for the assessment are the reference conditions, which are defined as corresponding to high water quality and characterising a water status with no significant anthropogenic impact. The reference sites in the various water body types are to be selected using hydromorphological and physico‐chemical parameters and subsequently characterised by means of biological parameters. For surface waters, three groups of characteristics are provided for, namely: 1. with priority the biology – in the case of surface waters – with the four elements phytoplankton, macrophytes/phytobenthos, benthic invertebrate fauna, and fish fauna; 2. supporting the hydromorphology, e.g. flowing waters with the three elements hydrological regime, river continuity, and morphological conditions and 3. supporting the physico‐chemical conditions with the three elements general conditions, specific synthetic pollutants, and specific non synthetic pollutants (other than the priority substances of the chemical status).     

Zur Anwendung des Standards TGL 27885/01 zur Klassifizierung und Bewirtschaftung von Flachgewässern

For the shallow lake there can be expected eutrophic conditions according to its morphometric data (z? 2.8 m, l 1.1… 1.8a), even mesotrophic conditions acc. to the catchment area (2.8 km²/hm³, 8 km²/km², 20% wood) and eutrophic conditions acc. to load (1,340 Population Equivalents/hm³, 0.027… 0.386 g/m² a P). The actually measured data of oxygen balance, nutrient contents and bioproduction show a eutrophic situation with a trend towards polytrophy. The difference to the expectation values can be explained by an underestimation of direct loading from a duck farm and the back-wash waters of a waterworks, so that sanitation measures for reducing the direct loading are promising. The relocation of the duck farm and of a large complex of stables as well as the introduction of extensive fishery utilization with a balanced stock of predatory fish resulted in perceptible trends of oligotrophication already after two years, especially by a remarkable promotion of the macrophyte stocks in the shallow water zone.     

Vergleichende aquatoxikologische Ergebnisse mit ausgewählten Wasserschadstoff-Gruppen und repräsentativen Wasserorganismen

Salmo gairdneri, Cyprinus carpio, Poecilia reticulata, Leuciscus idus melanotus, Asellus aquaticus, Ankistrodesmus falcatus and Monoraphidium griffithii were exposed to four growth regulating herbicides, four photosynthesis toxicants, lindane, an anionactive tenside, KCN and Na₃[Cu(CN)₄] in standardized toxicity tests. The biochemical degradability of the substances was tested with activated sludge. In order to test the possible effects in waters there should be used Salmo for the oligosaprobic zone. Poecilia as well as Ankistrodesmus and Monoraphidium provide reliable estimations for β-mesosaprobic waters. With respect to the longer-term permission of plant protection products, besides Salmo there can be recommended also Leuciscus.     

Konzepte zur Mobilitätsabschätzung von Schadstoffen in Boden- und Abfallmaterialien

Concepts for the Evaluation of Contaminant Mobility in Soil and Waste Materials Elution tests (S4, pH_stat, and SDS test) are presented, enabling the evaluation of the mobility of hydrophilic/hydrophobic and inorganic/organic contaminants in soil and waste materials. While elution tests for estimation of the mobilization potential of hydrophilic substances are performed following the pH_stat method, for hydrophobic species surfactant-containing eluents are used. The individual parameters of the elution process are selected assuming a "worst-case" scenario. In principle, because of economic reasons, detailed analytical investigations should be preceded by relevant screening tests.     

Zur Aquatoxizität ausgewählter Harnstoffherbizide und zu ihrer Kategorisierung als Wasserschadstoffe

Eight urea herbicides, as are used for weed control, are investigated for their effect on the green alga Ankistrodesmus falcatus and the warm-water fish Poecilia reticulata and found to be highly toxic for the test alga or highly to moderately toxic for the fish. If other criteria (acute toxicity to warm-blooded animals, carcinogenicity and biochemical degradability) are taken into account too, the tested herbicides have to be classified as very dangerous water pollutants. Legal sanctions to be applied in cases of exceeded limiting values are discussed.     

Bioindikation zur Verminderung von Stickstoffdüngerverlusten und der Stickstoffbelastung von Gewässern

Prerequisite to the nitrogen leaching from agricultural soils in spring is the ecologically optimum control of the first nitrogen fertilizer application. On the basis of investigations having been carried out for some years, a method for determining the optimum time of fertilization with the aid of phenological data is presented. The blossoming data of Anemone nemorosa proved to be a suitable sensitive indicator, their onset of blossoming is the optimum time for the first nitrogen application. In dependence on the height and variation of weather, in the subdued mountains this time is 90 … 116 d after the beginning of the year and corresponds to a temperaturetotal ≥ 5°C of 80 … 120°C or > 0°C: 160 … 230°C. Possibly, the leaf development of Alchemilla vulgaris or the first development of Poa pratensis are suitable as other bioindicators. The boundary conditions and disturbance variables of the bioindication are discussed. By the phenological date-determination of the beginning of fertilization the nitrogen losses can be reduced by 10 … 20% and the nitrate leaching can be considerably reduced especially in drinking-water protection areas.     

Entwicklung von Enzymimmunoassays zum Nachweis von Phenoxycarbonsäure-Herbiziden in Trink- und Grundwässern Development of Enzyme Immunoassays for the Detection of Phenoxycarboxylic Acid Herbicides in Drinking Water and Groundwater

Competitive solid phase enzyme immunoassays using polyclonal antibodies were developed for the detection of the phenoxycaboxylic acids MCPB [4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyric acid], Mecoprop [2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propionic acid], and 2,4-D [(2,4-dichloro-phenoxy)acetic acid] in drinking water and ground water. The carrier protein for the immunization was bovine serum albumin, horseradish peroxidase conjugates were employed as enzyme tracer. For the three antisera, the optimization of detection limits and test sensitivities was our first consideration. For the mecoprop and 2,4-D antisera, the strongest influences were the pH value and the ionic strength, as much as the use of enzyme tracers with lower affinities. The MCPB antiserum reacted with 2,4-DB[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid] with equal specificity, either could be detected at 0.02 μg/L (80% B/B₀), middle of the test (50 B/B₀) lying at 0.1 μg/L. The detection limit with mecoprop antiserum was optimized to 0.02 μg/L, the prescribed limit for drinking water of 0.1 μg/L ling at 60 % B/B₀. The strongest cross-reactivity was found for mecoprop methyl ester. MCPB. 2,4-DB, and dichloroprop have crossreactivities of 50%, 6.7%, and 6.3%, respectively. The 2,4-D antiserum reacts less sensitively with 2,4-D, the detection limit being 0.4 μg/L. The 2,4-D isooctyl ester and 2,4-D methyl ester demonstrate as cross-reacting compounds high cross-reactivites of 3630% and 2230%. The cross-reactions of the compounds 2,4-DB, MCPB, and MCPA [(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid] lie at 52%, 69%, and 41%. 100 ground water tests were spiked within laboratory. All positive samples were correctly identified. Falsely negative results did not appear.     

Reduzierung von Bakterien- und Coliphagen-Konzentrationen auf der Fließstrecke eines Klärwerksableiters

Reduction of the Concentration of Bacteria and Coliphages along the Flowing Stretch of a Treated Sewage Channel The efficiency of surface waters to eliminate E. coli, fecal streptococci, Salmonella spp., and coliphages was evaluated in a small river which receives treated wastewater and which is rich in submerged macrophytes. The study took place between April and December, 1994. Total colony count, BOD₅, O₂ concentration and water temperature were determined in the river as well. As the river does not receive additional water downwards along its 17.2 km course, dilution effects could be ruled out as the cause for the elimination of the microorganisms. The reduction is assumed to happen rather due to sedimentation, grazing, and adsorption to the submerged waterplants. Immediately after discharge of the wastewater, the river water contained about 10⁵ cfu/100 mL E. coli and 10⁴ cfu/100 mL fecal streptococci, about 1000 pfu/100 mL coliphages, and, as a rule, was positive for salmonella in 10 mL. The reduction of E. coli, fecal streptococci, salmonella, clostridia, and coliphages at the end of the course was 1 to 2 orders of magnitude. This reduction took place mainly within the first 4.7 km, a part in which, due to low flowing velocities, suspended solids settle down efficiently. Besides, at the end of this part the submerged waterplants are especially abundant. The reduction of suspended solids correlated positively with that of BOD₅, bacteria, and coliphages. The reduction of microorganisms was not sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the European Community guidelines for bathing waters and for surface waters used as drinking water source. The regenerating capacity of surface waters is not sufficient to eliminate pathogens from convenionally treated wastewater. Therefore, tertiary treatment is necessary to keep receiving waters reasonably free from pathogens.     

Zum Umweltverhalten von Fluortensiden Teil 1: Prüfung auf Aquatoxizität

Poecilia reticulata PETERS (guppy) and the green alga Monoraphidium griffithii were used for testing of different fluorotensides. After the representation of the methods of investigation and the definition of criteria of toxicity the obtained results of investigation are discussed. In general, the toxicity of the four investigated fluorotensides to algae was lower than to fish. The anionic fluorotenside CF₃—(CF₂)n—CFH—COONa was an exception. In tables and diagrams the results are summarized. Finally, for the condition of the receiving-water biocenosis class “2” the respective still permissible matter concentrations are proposed. They vary between 0.05 and 0.2 mg/1.     

Der Leitfähigkeitstest — Ein Testsystem zur Ermittlung der membrantoxischen Eigenschaften von Substanzen

The Conductivity Test — Determining the Membrane-toxic Properties of Substances A new biotest system is introduced which is specific in terms of the measured effect but not in terms of the applied organisms. The system is able to detect the effect of membrane-toxic compounds e.g. detergents, organic solvents, and radical formers. Released into the environment, these substances damage biological membranes and therefore cause ion leakage into a surrounding medium. Ion leakage is taken as a measure for membrane damage and is determined as an increase of the electrical conductivity in the medium (conductivity test). The results presented for the tensides benzalkonium chloride, LAS (linear alkylbenzenesulfonate), and APG (alkylpolyglycoside) demonstrate the capability of the conductivity test to distinguish between the differing toxicological potential of these membrane-toxic substances. In contrast to most of the conventional biotests, the endpoint of the conductivity test is independent of a specific organism. This independence is demonstrated by the results obtained with benzalkonium chloride treatment of Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, and Salvinia natans. The conductivity test represents a versatile, easy to handle biotest system for the assessment of ecotoxicological effects caused by membrane-toxic substances.     

Zum Einfluß von Rückständen von Zink- und Bleiverbindungen im Wasser auf die Assimilation von Fontinalis antipyretica

The carbon-dioxide assimilation of Fontinalis antipyretica is inhibited by 100 mg/1Zn²⁺ or Pb²⁺, without a lethal effect being caused. With increasing time of exposure from one to six days the threshold value of toxicity is lowered and at the same time the net assimilation is reduced within the range of concentration of 0.1 mg/1. In the ecological optimum of the environmental conditions the toxicity is weaker than under other unfavourable environmental conditions at the same time. Therefore, the photoecologically optimum illumination of 1200 lx is an effective bioprotector against phytotoxic lead ion concentrations, so that at 1200 lx also at a comparatively high load a positive photosynthesis balance can be maintained. In the dark, in the first hour after the application of the lead ions dissimilation is a function of concentration, subsequently the respiration differences decrease very much in the range between 0 and 100 mg/1 lead(II)-ions. Stimulating effects could be demonstrated only by 0.01 mg/1 Pb²⁺ and only for the carbondioxide assimilation.     

Die Zählung von Protozoen und kleinen Metazoen im Belebtschlamm

Summary: A method for the estimation of the abundance of protozoa and small metazoa in activated sludge is described. 5 × 10 μl of activated sludge are counted in vivo microscopically using a Thoma-Counting-Chamber and a magnification of 100: 1. The efficiency of this counting method was tested by “recovery” experiments. 46–100% of the ciliates (mean 85 %, n = 165 countings) were recovered. A positive correlation between body size and percentage of recovery could be found. Preliminary experiments showed that the method is suitable for nematodes (recovery 95 %, n = 10), rotators (recovery 84 %, n = 10) and testate amoebae (recovery 78 %, n = 10), too. The described method is independent of the sludge-structure, is easy to handle and is an acceptable compromise between time spent and necessary degree of accuracy.     

Vorkommen und Bewertung polyzyklischer aromatischer Kohlenwasserstoffe in einem mit kommunalen und industriellen Abwässern belasteten Fließgewässer

The river with a catchment of 5,400 km² is investigated over a length of 230 km at seven stations for the total concentration of six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and the total of three carcinogenic polycyclic substances (CPS) in the water by means of thin-layer chromatography. The maximum load occurs in the lower course downstream of large industrial wastewater introduction points with 5.1 μg/l polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, whereas in the upper course the maxima are at 2 … 3 μg/l polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for a mainly municipal pollution. The average daily load increases from 0.146 kg/d PAH and 0.048 kg/d CPS to 4.168 and 1.401 kg/d, respectively. In the flowing water there cannot be observed any self-purification concerning these substances, by an interconnected storage reservoir seston is reduced and thus also the PAC-concentrations are reduced by 50 … 60%. The PAH-concentration shows a significant positive correlation with the COD-Mn and the ammonium concentration. There is also a good agreement between the concentrations measured and the concentrations calculated from the wastewater load in the longitudinal section of the river.     

Phosphataufnahme und Gasstoffwechsel von Myriophyllum spicatum und Cladophora glomerata

The P-uptake by Myriophyllum spicatum and Cladophora glomerata is investigated in the small phytotron at 5 and 15° in permanent light (11,5 klx) and in permanent darkness. Parallel to this, the gas-metabolism-physiological behaviour is determined by means of IRGA methods. A nutrient solution acc. to. Knop with P from KH₂PO₄ in the concentrations of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/1 P was used as the nutrient medium. Both species take P from the medium till the species – and development – specific pool is filled (6 … 7.5 mg/g P). Towards the end of the period of vegetation one can expect a P-exudation. The P-uptake is temperature-dependent: Cladophora attains the highest P-storage at low temperatures, Myriophyllum, at higher temperatures. Due to their longer phases of growth and lower proneness to traumas, submerse spermatophyta are superior to filamentous algae with respect to the long-time elimination effects.     

Polarographische Bestimmung von Schwermetallen im Klärschlamm

The differential-pulse polarography (DPP) and the stripping voltametry (SV) are investigated in detail with respect to their suitability for the quantitative detection of individual traces of heavy metals in sewage sludge. The results are checked on the basis of AAS analyses and by the standard-addition method. From the hydrochloric-acid extracts of fused sludge samples down to 1 μg/l can be detected by the SV, whereas the DPP reaches a sensitivity of 100 μg/l. The following basic electrolytes are used: Zn: 2 … 3 mol/l H₃PO₄; Cu: 0.4 mol/l K₂CO₃, 0.2 mol/l Na-K-tartrate, 0.1 mol/l HCl; Ni: 1 mol/l NH₄OH, 1 mol/l NH₄Cl, 25 ml/l triethylamine; Pb and Cd: 0.1 … 0.2 mol/l HCl.     

Möglichkeiten der Nachreinigung von Abwässern aus der Kunstlederproduktion mit Hilfe von Algen

In the production of a special artificial leather (BAREX) in the CSSR wastewaters containing dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylamine (DMA) are produced. Investigations have shown that cultures of algae (Scenedesmus quadricauda) are able to use the two substances as a nitrogen nutrient source after a time of adaptation. In the course of the reactions of decomposition the pH-value plays an important part, since at increased values ammonia is released, which has a temporarily inhibitory effect on the production of algae masses and daughter cells. This detrimental effect can be considerably reduced by aeration with carbondioxide containing (3%) air. Since the production of algal biomass is restricted by a phosphorus deficiency, too, a combined treatment with municipal sewage is very advantageous, according to the results from investigations.