Acute toxic effects of organic effluents on Chironomus travalensis Kieffer (Chironomidae: Diptera)

Abstract

The acute toxicity of abattoir and sewage effluents on Chironomus travalensis was determined in a 96 h static bioassay. The toxicity was undertaken in replicates using effluent concentrations between 5% and 100%. Determination of the physical and chemical parameters of both effluents was carried out. The abattoir effluent was toxic to the test organisms at different concentrations while the sewage effluent did not produce lethality. The 96 h LC₅₀ value of the abattoir effluent was 23%. The acute toxicity unit at 96 h was 4.3. To avoid the adverse effect of effluent waste to aquatic life, it is recommended that effluent waste needs to be channelled through normal treatment procedures in industrial and residential areas.

Keywords:

• Toxicity
• effluent
• Chironomidae
• bioassay