Identifying the cause of toxicity in an algal whole effluent toxicity study – An unanticipated toxicant

Toxicity was observed in whole effluent toxicity (WET) studies with the freshwater alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, in three consecutive monthly studies, (NOEC = 50–75%). Toxicity was not observed to Ceriodaphnia dubia or the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas in concurrent studies. Selected toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) tests were conducted in a tiered approach to eliminate possible toxicants and progressively identify the causative agent. Filtration following alkaline adjustment (pH 10 or 11) was effective in eliminating significant growth effects and also reduced phosphate concentration. The TIE studies confirmed that the observed effluent toxicity was caused by excess ortho-phosphate in the effluent not by overstimulation or related to unfavorable N:P ratios; but due to direct toxicity. The 96-h 25% inhibition concentration (IC25) of ortho-phosphate to P. subcapitata was 3.4 mg L−1 while the maximum acceptable toxicant concentration was 4.8 mg L−1. This study illustrates the value of multi-species testing and also provides an example of an effective TIE using algae identifying an unanticipated toxicant.

► Complete Phase I-III TIE was performed with alga determining the cause of toxicity in a complex effluent.
► Phosphorus was conclusively identified as the toxicant in these series of studies.
► The effect observed was not by overstimulation but by direct toxicity.
► Studies show the utility of multi-species testing.