LIGNANS IN TMP EFFLUENTS - FATE AND EFFECTS

An envrironmental characterization of lignans found in TMP effluents h as been performed. The results show that the lignans are water soluble and biodegradable. The acute toxicity of these compounds is low compa red to other extractives in the effluents. The lignans are released fr om the wood structure early in the TMP process. Biological treatment c ompletely removes lignans from the effluent, while sedimentation and c hemical treatment have a low efficiency in reducing lignan concentrati on.