Back to Search Start Over

Changes in character of organics in the receiving environment of effluent from a sulphite pulp mill.

Authors :
van Leeuwen JA
Lewis R
Goonan P
Struve N
Everson A
Nothrop S
Smernik RJ
Chow CW
Fabris R
Rupasinghe M
Source :
Environmental science and pollution research international [Environ Sci Pollut Res Int] 2012 Jul; Vol. 19 (6), pp. 2151-8. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Jan 07.
Publication Year :
2012

Abstract

Purpose: The characteristics of organics in sulphite pulp mill effluent and in the receiving environment of effluent discharge were investigated to assess the basis for the persistence or attenuation of colour.<br />Methods: Characterization of organics was conducted through determination of SUVA, specific colour, and molecular weight distribution of organics using high performance size exclusion chromatography and by solid-state (13) C cross polarization (CP) NMR. The characteristics of organics from mill wastewater before and after secondary aerobic treatment, followed by lime treatment and from the receiving environment, an enclosed brackish lake were compared. Changes in the character of organics in lake water over a period of 14 years were studied in the context of changes in mill processing and climate impacts.<br />Results: High colour in mill effluent and in receiving waters correlated with high SUVA and specific colour levels, high molecular weight range and aromatic content. Conversely, lake waters with low colour had UV absorbing compounds of much lower molecular weight range and low relative abundance of aromatic compounds. Attenuation of colour and changes in the character of organics in the receiving environment coincided with increased concentrations of metal cations.<br />Conclusions: These increased concentrations appear to be due to the effects of climate change, lake management and their presence in mill effluent, with subsequent discharge to the lake. Attenuation of colour was found to be predominantly through removal of high molecular weight aromatic compounds where the removal processes could be through adsorption and co-precipitation with divalent metals, as well as through dilution processes.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1614-7499
Volume :
19
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Environmental science and pollution research international
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
22227808
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0714-y