Abstract
The physico-chemical testing required under the E.P.A. licence enables one to gauge the chemical effects of the APM wastewater on the Latrobe River, but it tells us nothing about likely effects on the aquatic biota. The APM bio-monitoring programme was instigated to provide evidence of any effects of wastewater discharges on the rivers biota. To date the programme has shown no adverse impact downstream. The laboratory bioassays on fish and algae have recently given way to the river fauna surveys as the regular monitor of wastewater quality. It is intended to continue with regular river surveys using the river's residents as indicators of water quality and future surveys will investigate reasons for the presently obscure variation in macro-invertebrate populations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allender, B. M.: 1986, ‘The Algal Growth Test for Monitoring Pulp and Paper Mill Effluences’,Appita 39(1), 21–24.
Bek, P. and Bruton, G.: 1979, ‘The Hydrochemistry of the Gippsland Lakes and Streams’, Caulfield Institute of Technology, Environmental Studies No. 238, Caulfield Institute of Technology, Melbourne.
Chessman, B. C. and Robinson, D. P.: 1987, ‘Some Effects of the 1982–83 Drought on Water Quality and Macro-invertebrate Fauna in the Lower Latrobe River, Victoria’,Aust. J. Mar. Freshw. Res.,38, 289–99.
Elliott, J. M.: 1977, ‘Some Methods for the Statistical Analysis of Samples of Benthic Invertebrates’, (2nd edn)Freshwater Biological Association Scientific Publication No. 25.
Harris, J. H. and MacIntyre, R. J.: 1985, ‘Latrobe River Ecological Study’, Report to APM Ltd, Unisearch, Sydney.
Hellawell, J. M.: 1978,Biological Surveillance of Rivers: A Biological Monitoring Handbook, Water Research Centre, Stevenage, U.K.
Latrobe, Valley Water and Sewerage, Board: 1986,The Latrobe River Basin: Water Resources and Aquatic Environment: A Review, LVW & SB, Traralgon Victoria.
Marchant, R., Mitchell, P. and Norris, R.: 1982, ‘The Distribution of Macro-invertebrates along the Lower Reach of the Latrobe River and its Response to Disturbance’,Latrobe Valley Water Resources Biological Studies Vol. V. SECV; Melbourne.
Robinson, D. P.: 1988,Biological Surveillance of the Latrobe River, 1982–1986, Scientific Report Series SRS 87/005. Environment Protection Authority Gippsland Regional Office.
Scarlett, G., Hill, L. and Allender, B.: 1987, ‘Bioassay survey of the Biological Water Quality of a Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent’,Appita 40(2), 104–107.
Sprague, J. B.: 1969, ‘Measurement of Pollutant Toxicity to Fish I Bioassay Methods for Acute Toxicity’,Water Research r, 793–821.
State Electricity Commission of Victoria: 1974,Latrobe River Environmental Survey. Interim Report, Projects Planning Division Report No. 401. Melbourne.
State Electricity Commission of Victoria 1983:Latrobe Valley Water Resources Biological Studies, volume 1 Final Summary Report.
State Electricity Commission of Victoria, and Latrobe Valley Water and Sewerage Board: 1984,Latrobe River System Water Quality Data 1979–1982.
State Environment Protection Policy: 1981, ‘The Waters of the Latrobe River Catchment’, Policy No: W/25A/26,Victorian Government Gazette No. 113.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Scarlett, G., Harris, J. Biological monitoring of a pulp and paper mill wastewater. Environ Monit Assess 14, 335–345 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00677925
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00677925