| Abstract: | Textile effluent is discharged to sewer with little or no destructive treatment. In investigating the effects of sewage treatment on textile effluent we aim to establish the biodegradability of the effluent and the reduction in toxicity exerted on aquatic organisms resulting from standard sewage treatment. Using three separate samples of effluent, the initial toxicity was tested using the aquatic invertebrate Daphnia magna. The samples were biodegraded following the Zahn-Wellens method and then retested. Results showed relatively good biodegradability but negligible toxicity reduction. The ‘hard COD’, or non-degradable, portion of the effluent, which appears to be responsible for exerting toxicity, is not altered by this treatment method. |
