EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS DESCRIPTION “Ths section describes important effluent characteristics and the potential effect of these characteristics on receiving water. The major effluent characteristics ae: AOX = chlorinated dioxins and furans. — total suspended solids (TSS) five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BODs) ‘acute toxicity = colour — pH range temperature 3.4 Adsorbable Organic Halide (AOX) ‘AOX is a measure of chlorine bound to organic mater. Perhaps 10% of applied chlorine becomes attached to pulp and paper mill organic products and by-products, and the remaining applied chlorine is discharged as inorganic chloride. Chlorinated organic compounds may be toxic, may be persistent in the environment and their ‘concentration may be magnified by the food chain. Chlorinated dioxins and furans are a very small fraction of AOX.3.2 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Total suspended solids (TSS) are defined as the oven dry weight of material in an ‘effluent sample which will not pass through a standard fiter paper. TSS from kraft pulp mills consists largely of biological treatment system debris, some Lnrecoverable fiber, and perhaps some non-fiver components such as ime mud, git, regs and silt The potential adverse effects of suspended solids matter upon the receiving water include deposition on receiving water bottom and subsequent decomposition. ‘3.3 Five-Day Blochemical Oxygen Demand (B0D:) ‘The five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BODs) is the quantily of oxygen consumed by a sample in a five-day test under controled concitions. Kraft mill streams which have a high BODs include — contaminated condensates, = bleach plant effluents, and — black liquor spills ‘BODs in kraft mill effiuent streams is largely a function of the dissolved organic material toad Biological degradation of effluent componente coneumee oxygen in receiving water Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels below critical thresholds can affect fish and other aquatic, ‘organisms. These thresholds can vary according to the species and lfe cycle stages, Organic matter can decompose without the presence of oxygen. DO deficits can lead to ‘anaerobic decomposition of bottom sediments in receiving waler which can cause ‘secondary impacts (@.9. the release of hydrogen sulphide, methane and other noxious gases)3.4 Toxicity Toxicity for regulatory purposes is usually defined as the concentration of an effluent by: volume which is lethal to 50 percent ofthe test fish population in @ 96-hour period under controlled conditions. This characteristic is known as acuie toxicty Kcaft Mill effluent can contain toxic substances including sulphides, resin acids, faty ‘acids, chlorinated organic compounds, certain heavy metals resulting from corrosion, ‘and adaitives used in mill processes. Sublethal effects on aquatic life are the subject of on-going research, Sublethal responses may ocou at low effluent concentrations, perhaps 2% effluent concentration in some cases, Sub/ethal effects on fish may include — changed migratory behaviour, — impairment of swimming performance, — interference with feeding, = reduction in growth, or = disturbance of predator-prey relationship, Chronic toxicity, 2 long-term harmful effect, may be measured as impaired reproduction, {or example. 3.8 Colour Effluent colour is determined by comparison to known concentrations in reference solutions Kraft mills contain a variety of highly-coloured effluent streams including caustic: ‘extratton stage effluent Passibie adverse effects of colour upon the receiving water include — aesthetics, and — inhibition of ight penetration and primary production in biota systems,35 pH Range Kraft pulping and bleaching processes generate streams varyirg in pH from 2 to 12. For example, the bleach plant effluents are acidic from chlorine dioxide stages and alkaline from caustic extraction and peroxide stages "Neutral pH values are required for effective secondary (biological) treatment. Abnormal H values in the receiving water can be toxic to aquatic organisms. 3.7 Temperature Higher receiving water temperature lessens the ability ofthe water to hold oxygen. High water lemperatures can also be lethal to sensitive fish species. A warm water stream in cold water system can aanolerate food chain activity or change the eusystem balance in other ways,