Toxicity and mutagenicity of waste waters from Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill: Evaluation of pollutant contamination in Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal has no agricultural and only little municipal pollution. Instead a potential source of pollution is the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill (BPPM). All waste waters of the mill are mechanically, biologically and chemically purified and there are sedimentation and aeration ponds at the final stage. In this study the efficiency of the waste water purification was detected by testing toxicity and mutagenicity. Waters and sediments were collected along the cellulose bleaching process and waste water treatment. Free and bound polychlorinated phenols, guaiacols, catechols, anisoles and veratroles were analysed. Cytotoxicity of diethylether-extracted waste waters was screened by measuring tot…