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Evaluation of the Sensitivity of Freshwater Organisms Used in Toxicity Tests of Wastewater from Explosives Company

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Abstract

Explosives industries are a source of toxic discharge. The aim of this study was to compare organisms sensitivity (Daphnia similis, Danio rerio, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida) in detecting acute toxicity in wastewater from two explosives, 2,4,6-TNT (TNT) and nitrocellulose. The samples were collected from an explosives company in the Paraiba Valley, São Paulo, Brazil. The effluents from TNT and nitrocellulose production were very toxic for tested organisms. Statistical tests indicated that D. similis and D. rerio were the most sensitive organisms for toxicity detection in effluents from 2,4,6-TNT and nitrocellulose production. The P. putida bacteria was the organism considered the least sensitive in indicating toxicity in effluents from nitrocellulose.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank CNPq (National Council of Scientific and Technological Development), ANA (Brazilian Agency of Water—for financial support) and Mrs. Lúcia A. B. A. Castro for technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Planaltina, University of Brasília, Área Universitária n.1, Planaltina, DF, CEP 73300-000, Brazil

    Elaine Nolasco Ribeiro

  2. Biotechnology Department, School of Engineering of Lorena, University of São Paulo, Estrada Municipal do Campinho, s/n, PO Box 12.602-810, Mailbox 116, Lorena, SP, Brazil

    Flávio Teixeira da Silva & Teresa Cristina Brazil de Paiva

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  1. Elaine Nolasco Ribeiro
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  2. Flávio Teixeira da Silva
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  3. Teresa Cristina Brazil de Paiva
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Correspondence to Elaine Nolasco Ribeiro.

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Ribeiro, E.N., da Silva, F.T. & de Paiva, T.C.B. Evaluation of the Sensitivity of Freshwater Organisms Used in Toxicity Tests of Wastewater from Explosives Company. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 89, 915–920 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-012-0772-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-012-0772-y

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