Refinery water (intake and effluent) quality: Update of 1970s with 1990s toxicity testing

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620130608· OSTI ID:7271190

Chapman, P M; Paine, M D ^[1]; Moran, T ^[2]; Kierstead, T ^[3]

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1. EVS Environment Consultants, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
2. Pollutech Environmental Ltd., Sarnia, Ontario (Canada)
3. Novacor Chemicals Ltd., Sarnia, Ontario (Canada)

The quality of two separate refinery intake waters and effluents was investigated: Petro-Canada (Oakville) and Novacor (Corunna Operations). This study comprised eight different test organized and 22 different toxicity end points, was built on and complemented pioneering 1970s work at the Petro-Canada refinery, and was designed to (a) determine any changes in effluent quality, (b) determine any previously unsuspected effluent toxicity, and (c) determine any potential for chronic toxicity in the effluent. Although Petro-Canada has steadily reduced contaminants in its effluent since the earlier study, toxicity has not changed and no new toxic effects were identified. Effect thresholds for the most sensitive animal species (Daphnia pulex) were 1 to 10% effluent in both studies. The Novacor effluent had lesser effects on biota than the Petro-Canada effluent. Intake waters demonstrated toxicity in some tests. Chronic effects on invertebrates and fish in receiving waters are predicted not to occur in the Novacor effluent is diluted 10- to 20-fold and the Petro-Canada effluent is diluted 50- to 100-fold.

• OSTI ID: 7271190
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 13:6; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BRANCHIOPODS
CANADA
CRUSTACEANS
DAPHNIA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INVERTEBRATES
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM
POLLUTION
SENSITIVITY
TOXICITY
WATER POLLUTION