Phytotoxicity Assessment of Wastewater from Industrial Pulp Production

Abstract

During the production of pulp from natural raw materials, such as wood, large amounts of waste are generated. When they are reused, e.g., in agriculture, ecological requirements towards the environment must be met, and the associated risks must be known. In the framework of this study, the phytotoxicity of liquid waste generated during the industrial processing of pulp using the sulfite process was investigated. The results of semichronic toxicity tests on Lepidium sativum L. and Sinapis alba L. showed a direct effect on the growth and development of plants and proved that the undiluted samples were phytotoxic. However, the phytotoxicity of the investigated waste samples was influenced by their dilution ratio. Thus, finding the optimal solution ratio is crucial for the reuse of liquid waste. A nonphytotoxic effect on the roots of the tested plants was proven with a solution in a ratio of 1:100. In addition, the control samples diluted with a medium manifested phytotoxicity due to the activity of internal microorganisms.

Keywords

• phytotoxicity
• wastewater
• pulp
• <i>Sinapis alba</i> L.
• <i>Lepidium sativum</i> L.