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Characterization and Toxicity Assessment of Wastewater from Rock Phosphate Processing in Tunisia

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Abstract

Phosphate ore processing wastewater (WWPP) from the Gafsa phosphate region of Tunisia was characterized. The WWPP had a very high turbidity, an almost neutral or slightly alkaline pH, and high salinity. The average chemical and biochemical oxygen demands (COD and BOD) met wastewater discharge standards, but the COD/BOD5 (4.34) significantly exceeded biodegradability values. Total nitrogen, residual phosphorus, and some others chemical constituents exceeded wastewater discharge standards. Microbiological enumeration showed that the effluents were very low in microflora. Untreated WWPP and diluted (WWPP/4) inhibited bioluminescence of Vibrio fischeri by 76 and 45%, respectively. The WWPP had a phytotoxicity rate of 20–70%, respectively, for alfalfa and tomato seeds. Adding the effluent to soil for 60 days reduced the residual phytotoxicity of the WWPP-irrigated soil to about 15 and 34%, respectively, for tomato and alfalfa seeds.

Zusammenfassung

Abwasser der Phosphatgesteinsverarbeitung in der Gafsa-Phosphatregion in Tunesien wurde charakterisiert. Das Abwasser hatte eine sehr hohe Trübung, nahezu neutrale bis schwach alkalische pH-Werte und eine hohe Salinität. Der durchschnittliche chemische und biochemische Sauerstoffbedarf (CSB und BSB5) entsprach den Abwasserableitungsstandards. Jedoch überstieg das Verhältnis CSB/BSB5 (4,34) signifikant die Werte für biologische Abbaubarkeit. Gesamtstickstoff, Phosphor und andere chemische Wasserinhaltsstoffe überschritten die Abwasserableitungsstandards. Zählungen der Mikroorganismen ergaben, dass die Besiedlung mit Mikroorganismen sehr gering war. Unbehandeltes Abwasser der Phosphatgesteinsverarbeitung hemmte die Biolumineszenz von Vibrio fischeri zu 75% und verdünntes (1:4) Abwasser der Phosphatgesteinsverarbeitung zu 45%. Das Abwasser der Phosphatgesteinsverarbeitung hatte eine Phytotoxizität von 20 bis 70% bei Samen von Alfagras und Tomaten. Die Wechselwirkung des Abwassers der Phosphatgesteinsverarbeitung mit Boden für 60 Tage verringerte die Phytotoxizität bei Tomaten- und Alfagrassamen auf 15% bzw. 34%, wenn der Boden mit Abwasser der Phosphatgesteinsverarbeitung bewässert wurde.

Resumen

Se caracterizó el agua residual proveniente del procesamiento de mineral fosfatado (WWPP) en la región Gafsa de Túnez. WWPP tenía una muy alta turbidez, un pH casi neutro o ligeramente alcalino y una alta salinidad. Las demandas química y bioquímica de oxígeno (COD y BOD), en promedio, cumplieron los estándares para agua de descarga pero COD/BOD5 (4,34) excedieron significativamente los valores de biodegradabilidad. El nitrógeno total, el fósforo residual y algunos otros constituyentes químicos excedieron los estándares para agua de descarga. El conteo microbiológico mostró que los efluentes tuvieron baja microflora. Tanto WWPP como su dilución (WWPP/4) inhibieron la bioluminiscencia de Vibrio fischeri en 76% y 45%, respectivamente. WWPP tiene una tasa de fitotoxicidad de 20 a 70% para semillas de alfalfa y de tomate, respectivamente. El agregado del efluente al suelo por 60 días redujo la fitotoxicidad residual del suelo irrigado con WWPP en 15% y 34% para semillas de tomate y de alfalfa, respectivamente.

突尼斯磷矿加工废水及毒理特征

研究了突尼斯Gafsa磷矿区矿石加工废水(WWPP)的特征。磷矿石加工废水以浊度高、中~微碱性和矿化度高为特征。磷矿石加工废水的平均化学需氧量(COD)和生物需氧量(BOD)都满足废水排放标准,但是它们的比值COD/BOD (4.34)却严重超出生物降解能力。磷矿石加工废水的总氮、残余磷和某些其它化学成分也超过废水排放标准。微生物枚举分析显示磷矿石加工废水的微生物群落数量非常少。未处理的和四倍稀释(WWPP/4)的磷矿加工废水对Vibrio fischeri荧光抑制分别达76%和45%。磷矿石废水对苜蓿(alfalfa)种子和番茄(tomato)种子的植物毒性分别为20%和70%。磷矿加工废水排放至土壤中60天后可减小磷矿加工废水灌溉土壤对苜蓿种子和番茄残种子植物毒性的15%和34%。

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by contract programmes (Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Bioprocesses, Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, AUF (PER-LBP), BP 1177, 3018, Sfax, Tunisia

    Ali Mekki, Asma Awali, Fathi Aloui, Slim Loukil & Sami Sayadi

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  1. Ali Mekki
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  2. Asma Awali
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  3. Fathi Aloui
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  4. Slim Loukil
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  5. Sami Sayadi
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Correspondence to Ali Mekki.

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Mekki, A., Awali, A., Aloui, F. et al. Characterization and Toxicity Assessment of Wastewater from Rock Phosphate Processing in Tunisia. Mine Water Environ 36, 502–507 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-016-0424-2

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