Research from University of the Western Cape Has Provided New Data on Water Resources

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Ecology, Environment & Conservation -- Fresh data on Water Resources are presented in a new report. According to news reporting originating from Bellville, South Africa, by VerticalNews correspondents, research stated, "Wastewater consists of a complex mixture of substances. During wastewater treatment these harmful substances can be eliminated or degraded."

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from the University of the Western Cape, "However, persistent compounds released with the treated sewage effluents enter the environment and pose a risk to animal and human life. To determine the potential risks involved, screening tests are needed to monitor wastewater for potential toxic contaminants. The aim of this study was to validate and use screening tests to determine the toxicity of raw wastewater and treated sewage effluents from 3 sewage treatment plants in the Western Cape, South Africa. Raw wastewater and treated sewage effluents were screened for cytotoxicity using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from cells as biomarker, for neurotoxicity using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and for genotoxicity using the Save Our Soul (SOS) test. Results showed no cytotoxicity for both raw wastewater and treated sewage effluents from all sewage treatment plants. Raw wastewater from all sewage treatment plants contained AChE inhibitors and sewage treatment processes were not effective at eliminating these AChE inhibitors. Raw wastewater from all sewage treatment plants tested positive for genotoxicity."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "Treated sewage effluents from all three sewage treatment plants displayed no genotoxicity indicating effective removal of genotoxins by all three sewage treatment plants investigated."

For more information on this research see: Rapid in vitro tests to determine the toxicity of raw wastewater and treated sewage effluents. Water SA, 2012;38(5):807-812. Water SA can be contacted at: Water Research Commission, PO Box 824, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting R. Hendricks, Univ Western Cape, Dept. of Med Biosci, ZA-7535 Bellville, South Africa.

Keywords for this news article include: Bellville, South Africa, Water Resources

Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world. Copyright 2013, NewsRx LLC