BIOCHEMICAL AND GENOTOXIC EFFECTS IN THE VICINITY OF A PULP-MILL DISCHARGE

Sediment and water samples were taken from five sites in Thunder Bay, one upstream (control) and four downstream locations from a bleached k raft pulp mill. Biochemical effects were examined by estimating the ca rbohydrate content and enzymatic activities of alkaline phosphatase, c ellulase, and dehydrogenase in the sediment. Genotoxicity and toxicity of sediment and water were assessed by the SOS Chromotest, although l iver microsomal samples were not used to screen for progenotoxic subst ances. Sediment and water samples were also analyzed for resin and fat ty acids, which indicate the degree of effluent contamination. Signifi cant differences in enzyme activity and carbohydrate content were foun d between sites. Genotoxic values were obtained for downstream water s amples for most of the sampling months, however, the sediment only sho wed genotoxic activity in the July and October samples. The study show ed that there are substances causing genotoxic and biochemical effects in the Kaministiquia River, Ontario. (C) 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, I nc.