THE TOXICITY OF ALUMINIUM SALTS TO LECANE LNERMIS ROTIFERS: ARE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL METHODS USED TO OVERCOME ACTIVATED SLUDGE BULKING MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE?

摘要

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of two flocculants that are often used to overcome activated sludge bulking problems - aluminium chloride, A1C1_3, and aluminium sulphate, A1_2(SO_4)_3 - on Lecaneinermis (Rotifera, Monogononta) at threedifferent temperatures: 8, 15 and 20°C. The mean EC50 value (effective concentration, mg dm~3) calculated for the 24 h mortality test was 0.012 mg AFMm~3. Next, the effects of low concentrations of the Al-salts on the population development from singleindividuals (parthenogenetic females) were tested in a 21-day experiment. At concentrations as low as EC4.8 and EC0.48, both Al-salts affected rotifer population negatively. However, temperature was the most pronounced factor that modified the toxicityof the Al-salts to the rotifers. On the 12th day of the experiment, there were significant interactions between temperature and the Al-salts, indicating that the chemicals were more toxic to the rotifers at 20°C than at lower temperatures. The weaker rotifers sensitivity to Al-salts (especially to A1C13) in temperatures below 15°C, when the biggest problems associated with sludge bulking occurs,may means use both rotifers and chemicals reasonable and effective.