Published Paper Details:

The present study was planned to find out the impact of effluent contained solid waste of a Chlor-alkali industry on a blue-green alga under laboratory controlled conditions. The effluent waste contained significant amount of elemental mercury at the site of outlet. The mercury content decreased with the increase in distance of the effluent canal. Minimum amount of mercury was found at the collection site and the value was much more than the stipulated limit prescribed by Pollution Control Board. The effluent contained solid waste significantly affected the growth of the alga under laboratory controlled conditions. Experiments were conducted at sub-lethal and lethal concentration values. The alga showed better growth at sub-lethal concentration of the effluent waste and at lethal concentration of the effluent waste inhibition of growth of the alga was observed. The alga could recover significantly at sub-lethal concentration of the toxicant. However, at higher concentration significant recovery was not marked after 15days of recovery. When the recovery period was extended for a period of 45days, the alga could recover to its pre-test activity. The effluent needs to be treated physically, chemically and biologically and after proper treatment the effluent can only be discharged in to the natural environment for protection of crop field inhabiting economically important organism.