Impacts on Streams from the Use of Sulfur-Based Compounds for Dechlorinating Industrial Effluents

Author: Ryon M.G.   Stewart A.J.   Kszos L.A.   Phipps T.L.  

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

ISSN: 0049-6979

Source: Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, Vol.136, Iss.1-4, 2002-05, pp. : 255-268

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Abstract

We evaluate environmental impacts associated with sulfur-based dechlorinating agents (sodium bisulfite and sodium thiosulfate) commonly used in industrial wastewater treatment by presenting data from two examples for Department of Energy facilities in Tennessee and Kentucky. One case involved a fish kill (> 24,000 fish) caused directly by sodium bisulfite; the second describes a near-miss situation resulting from over-dosing with sodium thiosulfate. Toxicity tests showed that overfeed situations with sodium thiosulfate or sodium bisulfite can depress pH and dissolved oxygen, causing mortality of fish. Bacteria also can metabolize some sulfur-based dechlorinating agents, thereby increasing the potential for reductions in pH and concentrations of dissolved oxygen. Although removing toxic levels of chlorine is important when releasing chlorine-containing wastewaters to aquatic systems, waste-treatment plant operators should also be aware of significant impacts that can occur if sulfur-based dechlorinating agents are used to excess.

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