The Toxic Effect of Conventional Treated Mine Water on Aquatic Organisms

Abstract

The present paper aims to evaluate the toxic effects generated by conventional treated mine water as well as freshwater samples (Macris river) on primary producers (green algae, Selenastrum capricornutum) and primary consumers (planktonic crustaceans, Daphnia magna). Those organisms could be very reliable biological models to assess the toxic effect of mine waters on the environment. The green algae growth inhibition test (performed according to OECD 201) and the acute immobilization test of freshwater crustaceans (Daphnia magna) (performed according to OECD 202) showed no growth inhibition or Daphnia magna immobilization / mortality during 72h and 48h incubation in presence of surface water samples from Macris river. The aqueous system with 1.89 g/L sulphate ion (SO42-) concentration, containing treated mine water mixed with freshwater sample (ratio 2.4:1), generated 100% toxic effect on crustaceans (Daphnia magna) after 48h incubation.