Abstract
Pulp and paper mill effluent induced phytotoxicity and genotoxicity in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) and root tip cells of onion (Allium cepa L.) were investigated. Physicochemical characteristics such as electrical conductivity (EC), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total phenols of the pulp and paper mill effluent were beyond the permissible limit specified for the discharge of effluent in inland water bodies. Compared to control plants, seedling exposed to 100% effluent concentration showed a reduction in root and shoot length and biomass by 65%, 67%, and 84%, respectively, after 5 days of treatment. A. cepa root tip cells exposed to effluent concentrations ranging from 25 to 100% v/v showed a significant decrease in mitotic index (MI) from 32 to 11% with respect to control root tip cells (69%) indicating effluent induced cytotoxicity. Further, the effluent induced DNA damage as evidenced by the presence of various chromosomal aberrations like stickiness, chromosome loss, anaphase bridge, c-mitosis, tripolar anaphase, vagrant chromosome, and telophase bridge and micronucleated and binucleated cell in A. cepa. Findings of the present study indicate that pulp and paper mill effluents may act as genotoxic and phytotoxic agents in plant model system.
Highlights
The pulp and paper mill uses large amounts of water and different chemicals during production processes of cellulose pulp from plant materials and produces large quantities of toxic and intensely coloured effluents
All wastewater from the mill is channeled through a single drain to the effluent treatment plant, where it is treated by activated sludge after primary physical treatment and released into the river Hindon through open drain
The average values of electrical conductivity (EC), BOD, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and phenols in the effluent were found to be significantly higher than the ISI standard [21]
Summary
The pulp and paper mill uses large amounts of water and different chemicals during production processes of cellulose pulp from plant materials and produces large quantities of toxic and intensely coloured effluents. The effluents from pulping, bleaching, and washing processes are often characterized by their high colour, BOD, and COD and consisting of potentially toxic chlorinated compounds, suspended solids, tannins, resin acids, and sulphur compounds along with lignins [1]. There are near about 759 pulp and paper mills in India and mostly using chlorine compounds in their bleaching sequences. The Indian pulp and paper industry is highly water intensive, consuming 100–250 m3 freshwater/ton paper and generating a corresponding 75–225 m3 wastewater/ton paper [2]. Compounds like lignin and chlorinated organic compounds are often not removed sufficiently by conventional methods due to their toxicity and low biodegradability and pose a threat to aquatic receiving environments [3]
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