Some effects of bleached kraft pulp mill effluents on aquatic organisms – a review.

Abstract

Paper is still the prime carrier of information and it is information that reduces uncertainty in decision making. Despite the promises of the paperless office ushered in by the computer age it is obvious to everyone that the reverse seems true. We need paper and it costs money to produce and buy. There are strong economic arguments driving the current interest by the pulp and paper industry in Australia but like many development projects the financial balance sheet of profit and loss are more easily understood than some of the intangible impacts of such investments. This paper describes, from the available literature, some of the effects of water borne wastes from pulp mills on fish and other aquatic organisms in other parts of the world. Firstly the pulping processes that create the pollutants will be described, followed by a brief documentation of the characteristics of the wastes involved. The effects on aquatic life will be described and, finally, some comments on the Commonwealth Government’s recently released Environmental Guidelines for New Bleached Eucalypt Kraft Pulp Mills will be provided.