title: Determining algal-available phosphorus in pulp and paper mill effluents: algal assays vs routine phosphorus analyses.
abstract: We determined the potentially algal-available P (P(aa)) in pulp and paper mill effluents by two bioassay techniques (a dual-culture assay and a batch approach) and compared it with chemically analysed P (total P, total dissolved P, reactive P, dissolved reactive P and dissolved hydrolysable P). The mean P(aa) given by the dual-culture assay was within a 40% range of that given by the batch approach. The P(aa) obtained by both bioassays differed from total P. Dissolved reactive P appeared to be the most readily available chemical P fraction, but other P fractions also contributed to P(aa). The analysis of reactive P, which involves direct staining of an unfiltered sample, best approximated the P(aa) given by the dual-culture assay (relative error 9%). The results suggest that assessment of eutrophying effluent P can be improved by analysing simple chemical P fractions in wastewater. The fractions to be analysed, however, may be site specific.
authors.affiliation: Finnish Environment Institute, PO Box 140, 00251 Helsinki, Finland. petri.ekholm@ymparisto.fi
authors.forename: Petri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ekholm
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jouttijärvi
authors.forename: Maarit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Priha
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rita
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nurmesniemi
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D001682:Biological Availability; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D056890:Eukaryota; D005068:Eutrophication; D005387:Finland; D016468:Forestry; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010758:Phosphorus