Toxicity estimation of treated coke plant wastewater using the luminescent bacteria assay and the algal growth inhibition test

Abstract Among several bioassays, the Scenedesmus subspicatus chlorophyll fluorescence test and the Photobacterium phosphoreum bioluminescence assay were selected to examine their applicability for toxicity evaluation of changes in coke plant effluent quality. In addition to the ecotoxicological parameters, a chemical analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ammonia‐N, and nitrate‐N was performed. It was demonstrated that the toxicity values obtained from the bioassays give a first indication on potential hazard and successful treatment. Decreasing toxicity values went along with decreasing DOC or ammonia‐N values, but the sensitivity toward DOC reduction was higher. Sensitivity toward pure compounds was assessed by comparing the EC50 values of the luminescent bacteria assay with the corresponding EC50 values of the algal bioassay. The data showed a poor correlation between the two bioassays. © by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.