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Title: An assessment of the NRA algal growth inhibition test : 1993/4
Author: National Rivers Authority Southern Region
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
To date the NRA has controlled the release of potentially polluting effluents by chemical discharge consents. These consents specify maximum permitted levels of individual chemicals in the effluent. Monitoring compliance with these consents via chemical analysis can be complicated and expensive particularly when dealing with complex effluents, in which individual constituents are often unknown, and can be numerous. Lack of information on toxicity of both the combined and individual chemicals further increases the problem. It is for this reason that the NRA has developed a protocol for setting a toxicity based consent which is being pilot tested for the next two years and could become part of the UK water quality management procedure by 1996. This would allow the toxicity of complex effluents to be controlled. There are a number of methods currently being developed, which will form a battery of tests to be used in assessing an effluents' toxicity. The project I undertook during my placement year involved the setting up of the NRA algal growth inhibition test. The Water Research Centre, under contract to the NRA, has produced a protocol for the test which has been submitted in various draft forms during the project. The project's aim has been to assess the protocol and gather data on reference toxicants. Reference toxicants are used in assessing variations in sensitivity of test organisms over time thereby acting as a quality control. In addition, some of the tests performed included samples either as 100 per cent bioassays or as a dilution series.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: 1994
Publication Place: Worthing
Subject Keywords: AlgaeWater qualityEcotoxicologyLaboratory experimentationZincProtozoa
Extent: 57
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:3999
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