Acute toxicity of sugarcane vinasse to aquatic organisms before and after pH adjustment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxicity of vinasse to cladocerans and fish before and after pH adjustment using an acute toxicity test. Linear and quadratic regression models were adjusted to demonstrate the concentration–response relationship between vinasse and the endpoints evaluated. The median lethal concentrations (LC_50–48h) of vinasse before pH adjustment for Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia magna were 0.67% and 0.80% respectively, and the median lethal concentrations (LC_50–96h) for Danio rerio was 2.62%. After pH adjustment, the values increased for all organisms, demonstrating a decrease in toxicity. This study reported marked toxicity for vinasse to aquatic organisms with toxicity reduction after pH adjustment.

Keywords:

• wastewater
• microcrustaceans
• Danio rerio
• ethanol industry

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) by financial support.