Toxicity of 17 Disinfection By-products to Different Trophic Levels of Aquatic Organisms: Ecological Risks and Mechanisms

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08796
• Publication Date: 2021-06-16T11:50:33Z
• Authors: Huijun Cui; Baiyang Chen; Yuelu Jiang; Yi Tao; Xiaoshan Zhu; Zhonghua Cai
• Keywords: Ecotoxicity; Daphnia magna; Haloacetic acids

Intensified disinfection of wastewater during the COVID-19 pandemic increased release toxic by-products (DBPs). However, studies relating to ecological impacts DBPs on aquatic environment remain insufficient. In this study, we comparatively investigated toxicities and risks 17 typical, halogenated three trophic levels organisms in freshwater ecosystem, including phytoplankton (Scenedesmus sp.), zooplankton (Daphnia magna), fish (Danio rerio). Toxicity was found be species-specific: Scenedesmus sp. most sensitive haloacetic acids, while D. magna haloacetonitriles trihalomethanes. Specific each DBP, were also related their classes substituted halogen atoms. Damage photosystems oxidative stress served as potential mechanisms for toxicity microalgae. The different sensitivities indicate that a battery bioassays with at is necessary determine ecotoxicity DBPs. Furthermore, assessed by calculating risk quotients (RQs) based data from multiple bioassays. cumulative RQs all greater than 1.0, indicating high effluents.