Ecotoxicological assessment of solid wastes: A combined liquid‐ and solid‐phase testing approach using a battery of bioassays and biomarkers

Abstract

AbstractMunicipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash (MSWIBA) was used as a test matrix for comparing the responses of different variables (solid phase vs leachate media) through toxicity tests and resulting endpoints. Toxicity of leachate and solid‐phase MSWIBA was evaluated with three terrestrial plants, namely oats (Avena sativa L.), Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. cv. chinensis), and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Assessment endpoints for these plant tests were biomass fresh weight, germination rate, and oxidant stress enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and glutathione reductase). Leachate MSWIBA toxicity was tested with bacteria (Vibrio fischeri), algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), and microcrustaceans (Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia dubia). A large range of toxicity responses was obtained with the various bioassays. With plant tests, the phytotoxicity of MSWIBA was revealed by the solid‐phase approach, whereas no toxicity was observed with the MSWIBA leachate. The increase of oxidant stress enzyme activities was demonstrated to be a good indicator of solid or leachate phase toxicity.