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Home My WebLink AboutNC0023876_Report_19840924V DIVISISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT September 24, 1984 M E M O R A N D U M TO: W. Lee Fleming Forrest Westall Larry Coble Bob DeWeese FROM: Steve W. Tedder h44 SUBJECT: Toxicological Evaluation of Burlington South Wastewater Treatment Facility NPDES No. "T vv zzv /Vwo /uQ Cf Staff of the Technical Services Unit conducted a 96 hour flow - through toxicological evaluation at the Burlington South WWTP during the week of May 1st, 1984. The results of this evaluation are detailed in the attached report. The results of this investigation indicates the necessity of additional evaluations and follow-up activities by the staff. If there are any questions, please contact myself at (919) 733-5083 or Ken Eagleson at (919) 733-2136. SWT:ps cc w/attachment Ken Eagleson Dave Atkins Cindy Finan Meg Kerr Jay Sauber Bob Holman Doug Finan W TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF BURLINGTON SOUTH WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY NPDES #NCO024228 N.C. Division of Environmental Management Technical Services Unit Aquatic Toxicology Group V . TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ...................................................... II List of Figures ................................................... III Introduction...................................................... 1 On -site Flow -through Bioassay ..................................... 6 Chemical Sampling ................................................. 8 -Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling .................... 13 .Chronic Toxicity .................................................. 19 Summary and Recommendations .................................... 21 Appendix...................................................... 23 - LIST OF TABLES 1. Industrial Contributors to Burlington South WWTP 3 April, 1984 2. Sampling Site Descriptions for the Burlington South WWTP ....... 9 Study Area 3. Chemical Measurements taken at Burlington South WWTP ........... 11 May, 1984 4. Taxa Richness, by Group, Haw River, May 1984 ................... 14 5. Taxa List and Relative Abundance, Haw River Sites 15 May, 1984 6. Dominant Chironomid Taxa, by Station, Haw River ................ 18 May, 1984 7. Mean Number of Young Produced per Adult and % Mortality perConcentration ......................................... 19 ii LIST OF FIGURES 1. Burlington South WWTP Treatment Schematic ....................... 5 2. Burlington South Probit Analysis on Dose ........................ 7 3. Burlington South WWTP Study Area................................10 4. Ceriodaphnia Reproduction Bioassay, Burlington South WWTP ........20 III INTRODUCTION An on -site flow -through toxicological examination was performed on the Burlington South wastewater treatment facility from April 30 to May 5, 1984. This evaluation was performed as a result of Daphnia pulex 48-hour static bioassays conducted on April 7, 1983, April 10, 1984, and May 2, 1984. The LC50's of these tests were 20%, "none", and "none", respectively. This document presents the results of biological and chemical sampling performed during the on -site investigation and includes: 1) A 96-hour flow -through bioassay conducted using fathead. minnows and performed on the waste stream immediately. below the secondary clarifiers, 2) chemical sampling at various points of the waste stream - and at points upstream and downstream of the discharge in the receiving stream, 3) collection of benthic macroinvertebrate samples from the Haw River both upstream and downstream of its confluence with Alamance Creek, 4) a seven-day Ceriodaphia sp."(Peltier)" reproduction test to determine chronic toxicity. The separate components of this investigation will be discussed indi- vidually. Terminology and experimental details are summarized or defined in the appendix of this report. A summary section at the end will identify relationships between the individual components. Specific recommendaticps and follow-up requirements.are also suggested. .. -The Burlington South Wastewater-Treatment.Plant discharges to Alamance Creek (Class C) of the Cape Fear River Basin. The facility occupies approxi- mately 7 acres southeast of the City of Burlington in Alamance County. The site has an approximate slope of 35% toward the southern end of the plant. industrial waste from 38 contributors comprises about 40% of .Burlington South's influent. Twenty-nine percent of those contributors discharge 100,000 or more gallons of waste per day to the plant. Table One lists Burlington South's industrial contributors and flow contributions. The plant has a design capacity of 9.5 MGD. At the point of discharge, Alamance Creek has a 7Q10 low flow of 3.6 cfs. During these low flow conditions, the effluent comprises 80.3% of the creek's flow. Figure One illustrates a functional schematic of the waste treatment facility. The processes include bar screens, comminutor, grit removal, flow equalization, primary settling, carbon aeration, secondary settling, gravity sand filters, chlorine disinfection, .sludge thickening, aerobic sludge digestion, and belt press sludge dewatering. 12 2 Table One. "Industrial Contributors to Burlington South WWTP, April, 1984 INDUSTRY Tower Hosiery Dura-Tred Hosiery Western Electric AT&T Technologies Burlington Industries Pioneer Plant Brown -Wooten Mills Burl. Ind. Burlington House Finishing Glen Raven Cotton Mills Glen Raven Finishing (Park Ave. Finishing) Kayser -Roth Inc. Copland Fabrics Inc. Town of Haw River WTP Alamance County Hospital Kayser -Roth Inc. Kayser -Roth Inc. I-85 Culp Finishing Flynt Dyeing & Finishing Carolina -Koury Hosiery Mills Kayser -Roth Inc. Burl -Socks LEMCO Hosiery Park Avenue Finishing Carolina Aluminum Burl. Ind. Transportation Division Johnson Towel Service Memorial Hospital of Alamance Star Food Products Inc. Carolina Biological Supply Roche Biomedical Laboratories Melville Plastics Inc. V MacField Texture Plant Annedeen Hosiery Ed Alexander Knits - - FLOW (103gal/day) 7.6 74.0 92.0 412.0 107.0 609.0 641.0 472.0 19.0 150.0 1879.0 35.0 5.5 23.1 369.0 288.0 85.0 2.5 66.0 65.0 30.0 43.0 19.0 46.0 5 .-0 101.0 29.0 29.0- 41.0 114.0 145.0 3' 3 Table One. (continued) INDUSTRY Hole -in None Industry Holt Hosiery Mills Full Knit Hosiery 81 J Spencer Love Center Pickett Hosiery Kleen Linen City Packing Co. V 4 FLOW (103gal/day) 19.0 32 18 14 20 30 19 Y>8urlington South W W T P Treatment Scnematic tG,..s.mtza •crY '._ �="' .. �. s r � - n4 S ��.�i.�# . ^^r "�+ fix" � � , ro.. ^-a�i1• a ra. '—; s r �.�.` � Gf'.+�• y4. a w .� p` ,.,�^"'a ,,, i rz �S? 2 '; t-*•-.fri>;a„r .,�.., fi t� r r° -s ',t J t .. wr Y.1' �3l'4.• `t�".-..t3 "� � f } _� "'+ -i 'i "Y:.m :'c.."" F 1 �� i ``^. r x'1 t .--E r i.. �, � a � .s 3s 51.. - r..:c' k .F;. 3 - � '�.� '� ..•s. ,r' t_'z..�'r ' COMMINUTOR GRIT REMOVAL L-a GRIT DISPOSAL SECONDARY CARBON PRIMARY SLUDGE CLARIFIERS REGENERATION ASH _ _GRAN TY '"BACKWASH `:-:SAND, RLTERS STORAGE -. CHLORINE ` - - K=aISIINFECTION -EFFLUENT T ON -SITE FLOW -THROUGH BIOASSAY '.The 96-hour flow -through bioassay was conducted on non -chlorinated effluent pumped from the overflow weirs of the #3 and #4 secondary clari- 'fiers. -At this point, the effluent has not flowed through the gravity sand filters and has not been chlorinated. The dilution water was taken from an unnamed tributary of the Haw River at SR 2100.' This dilution water was tested prior to the on -site investigation and caused no mortality to Daphnia pulex over 48 hours and displayed reproduction in Ceriodaphnia sp. "(Peltier)" similar to that of laboratory culture water. This test was initiated at 09:56, Tuesday, May 1, 1984 and terminated at 09:56, Saturday, May 5, 1984. Organisms tested were fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) between three and five weeks of age, obtained from the Aquatic Toxicology Group's culture of the same. On April 24, 1984 these fish were acclimated to the dilution water mentioned above. Ten fish were tested per chamber with replicates at each of six concentrations and a control. During the test the dilutor mechanism cycled 448 times, yielding a test concentration turnover of 1.41 times per hour. The 96-hour mortality counts are tabulated as follows: Concentration Mortality M 100.0 100 100.0 100 74.8 100 74.8 100 50.0 70 50.0 70 25.0 0 25.0 0 10.0 0 10.0 0 5.1 0 5.1 0 control 10 control 0 Probit analysis of the final test mortalities resulted in a final flow - through LC50 of 51.56%. Test data is presented graphically in Figure Two. C9 FIGURE TWO :iB:URLINGTON SOUTH WWTP 96 HR. FLOWTHROUGH pB.ABI,L TYPORIT ANALYSIS 13 N DOSE RO*, P 1 0 x a... 9, 0.7 x + 0.5 + 0.1 0.3 0.2 (.1 ------------------------------------------------------------------- LDf) I (i D 1 (; LD50 LD7 -5 ED9 5 li D9 9 9.31b 24.651 43.459 53.359, 67.600 77.602 DOsF, PA CHEMICAL SAMPLING Effluent samples were collected from the overflow weir of the #4 secondary clarifier as twenty-four hour composites on.May 2nd and 3rd. On those same days, grab samples were collected -from Alamance Creek above and below the discharge. 'All samples were properly preserved and,placed in coolers on ice and shipped to the NRCD Chemistry Laboratory in Cary, NC for analyses. Sampling sitedescriptions may be found in Table Two with locations shown on Figure Three. The results of the chemical analyses are presented in Table Three. A review of the chemical measurements performed in association with the Burlington South WWTP reveals no single constituents which are present in acutely toxic concentrations. Many parameters, however, are elevated due to the waste discharge. Residue, oxygen demand, nutrients, and several metals are elevated, but are only of minimal concern during low flow periods. These low flow levels have been calculated and projected for 7Q10 conditions in Table Three. Zinc was measured -in the waste stream at a maximum of 210 jig/liter. This level should not yield an acute effect in a waste of this type upon exposure to Pimephales promelas. A similar situation exists with the copper constituent. Copper was measured at 30 jig/liter. This is not con- sidered an acutely toxic level in an effluent of this type. Iron, aluminum, and manganese were detected at peak levels of 1100, 1100, and 140 pg/liter. These levels are not significantly high. The LC50 value for this test series using the 96-hour flow -through procedure was 52%. Copper would be present at approximately 15 jig/liter in this exposure level. Zinc would be present at 109 jig/liter. It"is not felt that these levels were significantly responsible for the measured LC50 value. A scan for base/neutral and acid extractibles (GC/FID). esulted in the identification of no organic constituents. This result, however, can not be considered comprehensive. Organic compounds not measurable by these tech- niques or at levels below detection may be present. 8 Station # Description 01' This sampling site is located on Alamance Creek approximately 180 yards above the Burlington South WWTP discharge... At this point, the stream is approximately eight feet in depth and fifty yards in width. 02 This sampling site is located at the Burlington South WWTP at the #3 and #4 secondary clarifier overflow weirs. This was the bioassay sampling point. 02A This sampling site is located at the Burlington South WWTP at a -point just above the outfall pipe. 03 This sampling site is located on Alamance Creek 150 yards below the Burlington South WWTP discharge. At this point, the stream is approximately eight feet'in depth and fifty yards in width.. The water is grey and foam is present. There also is a -definite sewage smell. 04 This sampling site is located on a U.T. to the Haw River at SR 2100. This is the dilution water source for the flow -through bioassay. At this point, the stream is approximately eight feet wide and ten inches deep. The bottom substrate consists of small boulders, gravel, and sand. 05 This sampling site is located on the Haw River at NC 54. At this point, the river is approximately two feet deep. The bottom substrate consists of mostly rubble with some small boulders, gravel, and sand. The water is black and foamy. 06 This sampling site is located on the Haw River just below the Swepsonville Dam, above the confluence with Alamance Creek. The bottom substrate consists of mostly rubble and sand with some small boulders and gravel. The water is grey and foaming with a strong sewage odor. At this point, the river is approxi- mately four and one-half feet deep. 07 This sampling site is located on the Haw River below the Alamance Creek confluence. At this point, the river is approximately four and one-half feet deep. The water is grey and foaming with a strong sewage odor. The bottom substrate consist of mostly rubble with small boulders and some gravel and sand. 08 This sampling site is located on the Haw River at Saxapahaw. At this point, the river is approximately seven feet deep. The water is slightly turbid with no odor. The bottom substrate is mostly rubble with some small boulders, gravel, and sand. 9 Table Three. Chemical Measurements taken at Burlington South WWTP (May, 1984) Alamance Creek Haw River Station 01 - 02 02A 03 04 at 7Q10 flow, at 7Q10 Flow Expected Conc. Expected Conc. Date 840502 840503 840502 840503 840502 840503 640502 840503 840502 840503 from Sta. 02 from Sta. 02 Data Data Analysis 840502 840503 840502 840503 BOD5 (mg/1) 44 19 1.7 2.0 35 15 9 4 COD (mg/1) 13 18 270 220 31 25 19 14 217 177 57 46 Coliforms-MF Fecal (/100ml) 110 50 5000 10000 4015 8030 1050 2100 Tube Fecal '_' <1.8 330 54000 Residue Total (mg/1) 85 90 370 370 110 120 130 120 297 297 78 78 Volatile (mg/1) 27 34 110 120 48 41 51 50 88 96 23 25 Fixed (mg/1) 58 56 270 250 59 75 83 <1 227 201 57 53 Residue Suspended (mg/1) 11 14 31 16 11 15 3 Volatile (mg/1) 3 7 24 16 5 8" 3 <1 19 13 5 3" Fixed (mg/1) 8 7 7 <1 6 7 <.80 <.80 6 <1 1.5 .<.21 pH units 6.9 6.6 7.0 7.1 6.6 7.0 6.7 6.9 6 6, 1.5 1.5 Alkalinity to pH 4.5 (mg/1) 28 31 100 97 38 35 5.9 60 80 78 21 20 Hardness (mg/1) 39 36 57 52 44 40 74 79 46 42 12 11 Phenols (jig/1) 10 8 <5 <5 8 6 2 1.7 NH3 as N (mg/1) 5,.3- 5.6 0.01 4.2 4.5 1.1 1.2 TKN as N (mg/1) 8.1 9.6 0.5 0.1" 6.5 7.7 1.7 2.0 NO2+NO3.as N-(mg/1) 0.02 0.01 <.01. 0.016 0.004 Aluminum (per/1) 300 400 1100 700 400 600 <20 <20- -<50--<50�----<50-----<50= -<20-<20- 200 200 <20 <20" --<20<20 8N. 562 231 - 147 Cadmium (pg/1) <20 <20 20' < <T6 <1'6 -<407------<40- < <4 <10-"`--T<I0� ' Chromium (pg 1) < 0�5 50�'---<50® Cop er pg 1) < 0 < ---- 0- - _ -24'___` 12 6 6 2317 126 Iron g 1) 900 1100 1T0`'-`�"-`� 66Q0`-`- 8`0"`0 14-DO 30-if-300 883 482 Mercury (pg/1) <O.2 < 0 70--'140 <0.2-<0.2- " 120-- <0.2- -<0.2- 80` <110--�50 -<0.2 <O.2 <.16 <.T6� ZO.0 <0.04. 29 25 Manganese pg <50--1T2 Nickel /1 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <80 <80 <21 <21 Lead (pQ/1) <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 _ <100 <100 -_ <80 <80- <21 <21 Zinc (pg/l) <20 <20 210 170 20 20 40 30 169 137 44 36 Organics *No base/neutral or acid extractibles detected by GC/FID `- .+ - -"y' L .••2 his---�" _ "r,. _ - - ,ys <N ". .r�. ytn a `�h. .,Wjy-'r,`,31'wx �. '+"';kc• } � -_ 4.... �. Phenols were detected at a. maximum -of 10 jig/liter. This measurement reflects the presence of a wide variety of compounds. The toxicity of phenolic compounds is quite variable. Low water quality restrictions for phenols are often based on organol.eptic response levels. Ammonia is often found in toxic levels associated with waste discharge. Ammonia toxicity, however, is largely influenced by pH levels. A higher pH yields a larger proportion of un-ionized ammonia which is the most toxic form. The test temperature during the flow -through series was approxi- mately 20°C with pH levels between 6.7 and 7.1. At a pH of 7 and 20°C, 0.4% of the aqueous ammonia may be found as un-ionized. This results in an un-ionized ammonia concentration of 0.02 mg/liter in the 100% effluent concentration. This,level is not significant when used to interpret the measured toxicological response. 12 Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from four locations on the Haw during May, 1984 by the Biological Monitoring Group. Burlington South actually discharges to Alamance Creek, but the discharge point is --located less than 0.5 mile above the confluence with the Haw River. Furthermore, the impacted segment of Alamance Creek is difficult to sample, deep and slow -moving. Stations were located at two dam sites above (Swepsonville) and below Alamance Creek. Samples were also taken at a second upstream site (at NC-54) and at a recovery site (SR-1005, Alamance County). The location of each site can be seen in Figure Four. Taxa richness (Table Four) increased from Station 5 (NC-54),.to.Station 8 (recovery site). These data indicate that Burlington South.had no signifi- cant impact on the Haw River, however, pollution from upstream dischargers may mask any effects of Alamance Creek water. The water was black and foaming at all three upstream sites. These sites were provisionally rated as "Fair". More severe conditions may occur during low flow summer periods. The 1983 ambient collections recorded "Poor" water quality at Saxapahaw, between our stations 7 and 8. A complete taxa list (and relative abundance) are presented in Table Five. Further information on chironomid dominance is given in Table Six. Station-5,just below Burlington East WWTP, was strongly dominated by Rheotanytarsus and Polypedilum convictum. This assemblage is typical of areas with heavy inputs of organic particulates. The subdominant chironomid species suggest that toxicity is also a problem. A very similar community was observed at this site in October 1983, as part of a study of'the Burling- ton East WWTP. At stations 6 and 7, the "toxic assemblage" becomes dominant: Cricotopus bicinctus, C. tremulus gr. and.Polypedilum illinoense. At station 8, dironomids are much less abundant. Here the benthic community is dominated by various Ephemeroptera/Plecoptera/Trichoptera. This shift in dominance reflects a large improvement in water quality. 13 Table Four:: 'Taxa Richness, by group, Haw River, May 1984.. 5 6 7 8 Ephemeroptera 7 8 10 13 Plecoptera i 3 3 4 3 Trichoptera 6 5 6 11 Subtotal 16 16 22 27 Coleoptera 5 4 5 4 Odonata 8 4 6 9 Megaloptera 1 1 1 2 Diptera: Misc. 1 2 1 4 Diptera: Chiron. 21 21 19 21 Oligochaeta 4 8 8 7 Crustacea 3 4 4 5 Mollusca 4 5 2 4• Other 1 1 2 2 Subtotal 48 50 46 58 Total 64 66 68 85 Rating * Fair Fair Fair? Good -Fair Taxa richness maximum in May, rating is seasonally adjusted. 14 R Table Live. .Taxa list and relative abundance,.Haw River sites, May 1984. Stations 5 -6 7 8 EPHEMEROPTERA 7 8 10 13 Stenonema modestum C C R A S. terminatum - - - R S. integrum - - R R Stenacron interpunctatum C C R A Heptagenia sp.. - - - R Caenis sp. A A R C Ephemerella temporalis A A C A E. deficiens R C - C E. catawba C - R A E. simplex - - - A Paraleptophlebia sp. - R - - Isonychia sp. - - C - Pseudocloeon spp. - A A C Baetis flavistriga R - R B. pluto - - - R B. amplus - R R - Hexagenia sp. - - - C PLECOPTERA 3 3 4 3 Perlesta placida A R C A Isoperla transmarina C C C R I. holochlora - - R - Amphinemura sp. R C C C TRICHOPTERA 6 5 6 11 Cheumatopsyche sp. A C C C Hydropsyche venularis C C C A H: incommoda C R R A H. rossi R - - - H. betteni - - R R Diplectrona modesta R C C C Hydroptila sp. - R - R Oecetis sp. - - - R Ceraclea ancylus - - - C C. maculata - - - R Nectopsyche exquisita R R R C Triaenodes tarda R - - - Polycentropus sp. - - - C COLEOPTERA 5 4 5 4 Ancyronyx variegata A R G - C Macronychus glabratus C R - - Stenelmis sp. C C R R Dubiraphia quadrinotata R - R - Psephenus herricki - - - R Hydroporus sp. R - - - Berosus sp. - - - R Sperchopsis tessalatus - R - - Petodytes sp. - - C - Haliplus sp. - - R 15 '...3.., 5 6 7 8 ODONATA 8 4 6 9 :�ga sp. A C R A - -.Enallagma sp. C C -R - Calopteryx sp. R - - C Comphus spp. C - - C Dromogomphus spinosus R C - C Progomphus obscurus Lanthus albistylus R - - C Erpetogomphus des.ignatus - - - R Neurocordulia obsoleta R - R C Macromia sp. R C R C Boyeria vinosa - - R R MEGALOPTERA 1 1 1 2 Corydalus cornutus A C R C Nigronia serricornis - - - R DIPTERA: MISC. 1 2 1 4 Palpomyia (complex) C R C R Simulium vittatum - C - R Empididae - - - R Tipula sp. - - R DIPTERA: CHIRON. 21 21 19 21 Cryptochironomus fulvus - - R - Chironomus sp. C C - R Dicrotendipes neomodestus C R C A D. nervosus - - R Polypedilum illinoense A A A C P. convictum A - - A P. fallax R - - R P. scalaenum' R R - R P. halterale gr. C R Phaenopsectra sp. R. - - Paratendipes sp. R R - - Parachironomus monochromus - R - - Rheotunytarsus spp. A A A A Conchapelopia gr. A C C A Clinotalypus pinguis - R - - Procladius sp. R - - R Ablabesmyia parajanta R - - C Diamesa sp. - R C - Cricotopus/Orthocladius (C/O) C/O sp. 1 A A A A C/0 sp. 3 C C C R C/0 sp. 5 A A A C C/O sp-. 7 - - R C/o sp. sp. 12 - R - C/o sp. sp. 13 C - A R C/O sp. 20 C A A C Eukiefferiella sp. 1 - R - C Cardiocladius sp. R A A - C Nanocladius sp. C R C Rheocricotopus robacki C - C C Paraphaenocladius sp. 1 - R R R Thienemaniella sp. - R C C Parakiefferiella sp. 4 -- - - A Synorthocladius sp. - - R ON 5 6 7 8 CRUSTACEA Hyallela azteca �.'Crangonyx sp. Asellus sp. Cambarus spp. Procambarus sp. Palaemonetes paludosus MOLLUSCA Physella sp. Ferrissia rivularis Heliosoma. anceps Corbicula manilensis Sphaerium spp. Pisidium sp. OTHER Hydracarina Mooreobdella tetragon Prostoma graecens R = Rare C = Common A = Abundant 5 4 .4- 5 C A C C R A C R C A A C C C - C _ - R - R _ _ R 4 5 2 4 C R R R - C R- C - R - C R A - C R R - - C - - - 1 1 2 2 - R R R R - A - - - - R -W. 17 R. Table Six. Dominant Chironomid Taxa, by Station, Haw River, May 1984 Stations 1 2 3 Very Rheotanytarsus sp. Cricotopus bicinctus (C.0 sp: Abundant: Polypedilum convictum C. tremulus gr. (C/0 sp. 5)------ — Polypedilum illinoense Abundant: Cricotopus bicinctus Cardiocladius sp.-------------. ...... - C. tremulus gr. Rheotanytarsus sp.-.-- Polypedilum illinoense Euorthocladius sp. 1 (C/0 sp. 20) -'-- i Conchapelopia gr. E. sp. 2 (C/0 sp. 13) Polypedilum illinoense Deduced High particulates Stress: f Toxicity Polypedilum convictum Conchapelopia gr. Cricotopus tremulus gr. Recovery CHRONIC TOXICITY Sublethal toxicity was measured during the on -site test by means of the seven day Ceriodaphnia sp. "(Peltier)" mini -chronic test. Rather than measuring a lethal response, this test exposes organisms to a lower series of concentrations of the effluent to determine what effects it may have on reproductive success of the organism. This is a static -renewal test in which similar effluent concentrations are replaced daily. Observations of each of ten Ceriodaphnia per concentration are made daily to record the number of young produced by the adult cladoceran. Further test details are included in the appendix. Results of the test, including mean number of young pro- duced and percent mortality per concentration are given in Table Seven. Table Seven. Mean Number of Young Produced per Adult and % Mortality per Concentration Concentration (% Effluent) Mean # of Young % Mortality 0 (control) _27.5 0 0.01 28.1 0 0.1 27.5 10 1.0 23.7 0 10.0 2.8 0 50.0 0 30 This data illustrates a significant decrease in mean number of young pro- duced per adult Ceriodaphnia at an effluent concentration of 10%. Further graphical representation of the data is given in Figure Four.which represents the mean cumulative number of young produced by day throughout the test. By examining this data with instream waste concentrations previously discussed in this paper, a definite chronic impact is predicted to both Alamance Creek and ehe Haw River. 19 M E A 30 N C U M 23.6 U L A T I 17.2 V E E . 10.8 P R 0 D U 4.4 C T I 0 0 N Figure Four. CERIODAPHNIA REPRODUCTION BIOASSAY BURLINGTON SOUTH WWTP 0 1 2 - - - -- - CONTROL 0.1X 3 4 DAY NUMBER 5 6 7 8 50.0X SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Water quality as measured by population surveys on the Haw River indicates "poor" conditions. Burlington South WWTP discharges to Alamance Creek only one-half mile above its entry to the Haw River. During low flow conditions, the effluent comprises 80% of Alamance Creek. Since the mea- sured LC50 value was 52%, it is obvious that lethal conditions for aquatic life are present during low flow. After mixing with the Haw River, the effluent comprises 21% of the total flow. This level of waste may be acutely toxic to sensitive species. The biological data indicates that the sensitive species have already been removed through exposure to upstream impacts. Longer exposure times (seven days as performed in this test series) and lower concentrations of effluent will affect the receiving streams in a different manner than was measured through the acute bioassays. These chronic tests found reproductive impairment at levels of only 10% waste. During low flow conditions, there is twice this level of waste present. No chemical constituents were identified as being responsible for the total toxic effects measured in this investigation. Copper and zinc are present at levels which may exert a toxic effect in very clean water. Effluents which are high in solids and chelating agents tend to reduce the effects of these metals. The dominant toxic component of this effluent has not been identified. Due to the degraded water quality of the upstream receiving waters, a biological improvement may not be expressed should the toxicity level of Burlington South be reduced. In all probability, only the zone of impact will recede. Additional work specific to these upstream discharges must be undertaken in order to achieve full benefit from a toxicity reduction plan at Burlington South. The following recommendations are suggested as a result of the investi- gations contained within this report: 21 1. Monthly acute bioassays should be included in this facility's monitoring requirements. This requirement may be waived -during early stages of the following recommendation. 2. A toxicity reduction plan should be developed and submitted to the Division of Environmental Management within 90 days after performing the first self -monitoring bioassay. This document should include a review of indirect dischargers as well as a timetable for implementation. 3. Since the receiving streams, are so heavily dominated by effluent, chronic impacts must be considered. Upon reduction of acutely toxic effects as demonstrated by self -monitoring (no effect in any effluent concentration), a chronic bioassay should be performed by the Division of Environmental Management in order to evaluate the total toxicity reduction. 22 APPENDIX - -V' Flow Through Procedure On site, flow -through bioassays are performed on a facility as the result of findings of acute static bioassays performed at the Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory using Daphnia pulex. These 48 hour screening tests establish facility-condidacy on the basis of acute toxicity and instream waste concentration. For each on -site, flow -through bioassay, a pre -test site inspection is per- formed in order to: 1.) Determine appropriate areas for physical placement of the mobile laboratory. 2.) Acquire proper installation and materials needed for electrical service. 3.) Determine appropriate areas for effluent sampling and materials needed for such. 4.) Determine appropriate areas for dilution water sampling and materials for such. 5.) Take additional samples of effluent and intended dilution water for fur- ther static Daphnia pulex tests. 6.) Determine route suitability to the facility for the mobile laboratory (e.g. low clearances, poor road conditions.) 7.) Discuss test procedures and requirements with appropriate facility personnel. Upon actual arrival on -site with the mobile lab, dilution water is obtained and acclimation procedures are begun on the test organisms (Fathead minnows, 2 to 3 weeks of age). Dilution and effluent pumping systems are set up and tested and hydro - lab systems are calibrated (hydrolab calibration is repeated at least once more during the test). An effluent grab sample is taken and a 48 hour Daphnia pulex test is set up that evening. The following day, after 24 hours of acclimation, fish are wet transferred to the test chambers which each contain approximately one liter of dilution water each. Effluent and dilution water pumping systems and the dilutor are then started and the test is begun. Test organisms are fed newly hatched brine shrimp 'daily through- out the test. Hydrolab systems monitor dissolved oxygen, pH . temperature, and specific con- ductance at 15 minute intervals throughout the test. Daily, the Hydrolab is recovered and stored on magnetic tape and hard copy. On alternate days, hardness samples are analyzed on dilution water, effluent at the sampling site, final effluent and re- ceiving stream, upstream and downstream of discharge. On variable effluents, residual chlorine samples are analyzed from sites as described above, at frequent intervals. During the 4 day test, a portion of one day is devoted -to collection of benthos samples from the receiving stream. Where appropriate, electrofishing is undertaken for resident fish population data. On a site specific basis, various other efforts, such as monitoring dissolved oxygen levels in the stream are undertaken. On a daily basis, test chamber screens are cleaned, dilution water is collected (where appropriate), effluent and dilution pumping systems are checked and altered as necessary, and fish mortalities are recorded. A 24 hour composite sample of the effluent is collected by means of an auto- matic sampler for chemical analyses. Receiving stream and dilution water samples are also collected for chemical testing. A photographic record is made of the waste water facilities, sampling points, receiving stream, and sampling procedures while on -site. At the end of the 96 hour test period, the dilutor is turned off, effluent and dilution pumping systems are dismantled and final mortality observations are made. Final breakdown and packing routines are then begun and the mobile lab is transported back to the Cary Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory. Several special care operating procedures should be mentioned. At facilities which discharge for only a portion of the day, effluent samples are composited by the dilutor system into a large reservoir on board for use as the effluent while discharge is not in progress. Secondly, in those waste streams with a high oxygen demand, aeration systems for the test chambers are initiated and dissolved oxygen levels in the chambers are monitored closely in order to ftevent levels dropping below 40% saturation at test temperatures. In the event that actual receiving waters are deemed unfit for the test (i.e. potentially toxic), alternate sources of dilution water are sought in the vicinity. 48 Hour Daphnia up lex Screening Bioassay Aquatic Toxicology Group N.C. Division of Environmental Management The Aquatic Toxicology Unit performs 48 hour static bioassays using Daphnia pulex, small freshwater crustaceans, to estimate the toxicity of waste discharge to aquatic life in receiving streams. All test and sampling equipment are washed with soap, then rinsed in nitric acid, acetone, and distilled water to -remove all toxins and contaminants. Effluent samples are collected by DEM Regional Office or Aquatic Toxicology personnel. The sample is collected as a grab or 24 hour composite using an automatic sampler and is sent chilled to the Aquatic Toxicology Lab by state courier or bus. They must be received within 24 hours after collection. The samples are prepared for testing by being thoroughly mixed, adjusted to standard test temperature, and aerated if dissolved oxygen is below 40% saturation. The effluent is diluted with laboratory well water, typically to seven concentrations (with replicates) from 0 to 100% effluent. Each test chamber receives 160 ml total volume and 10 test organisms. Mortality of the Daphnia is recorded after 48 hours. A 48 hour LC50, or concentration of effluent lethal to 50% of the test organisms in 48 hours, is calculated from the mortality data. An in -stream waste concentration (IWC), for the effluent in the receiving stream is calculated using the treatment system design flow and low -flow (7Q10) stream capacity. If the effluent toxicity and/or the IWC are high, a persistance test may be conducted. This involves a second 48 hour static bioassay run on the same effluent sample, 96 hours after the first test. If there is a 100% reduction in the LC50, the effluent is considered non- persistance. V Ceriodaphnia Mini -Chronic Bioassay The Ceriodaphnia reticulata mini -chronic aquatic bioassay is con- ducted in order to estimate the sublethal effect of a toxicant expressed as suppression of reproductive success. The cladoceran Ceriodaphnia reticulata is used as the test organism in a 7 day static renewal bio- assay. A control and 6 concentrations of effluent, typically.ranging from 0.1% to 50% by volume, are established. For each concentration ten organisms are maintained in individual vessels containing 15 mis of test solution. Test temperature is maintained at 250C by incubation with a photoperiod having no less than a daily 8 hour light cycle. The test is begun with neonates less than 4 hours old. Adults carrying 5 or more eggs with visible eyespots are isolated and checked periodically. Neonates are removed and grouped according to time of birth. Selected groups are then composited to make the youngest set of 70 or more neonates born within a 2 to 4 hour period. The test is begun when these neonates are introduced, one to each test chamber. Temperatures must be within 2 0 C for transfer. The organisms are transferred daily to new test chambers containing fresh toxicant and control solutions. Dissolved oxygen and pH are mea- sured prior to the introduction of the test organisms and upon removal. Dissolved oxygen of greater than 40% saturation is required. Test organisms are fed daily. Each daphnid receives one drop (0.05 mis) of a solution of 0.5 grams of active dry baker's yeast per 100 mis of distilled water. This food should be made up one day before use, refrigerated, and used no more than 7 days. Reproduction begins on the fourth or fifth test day. The adult is transferred to fresh test solution. A drop of concentrated.nitric acid is added to the chamber from which the adult was removed, immobilizing the young so they can be more accurately counted under a dissecting micro- scope. The test is continued until the control organisms have produced three separate broods of young (typically 7 days). The mean number of young produced per adult is calculated for each concentration at test termination. V a r List of Definitions Acclimation - refers to the process of gradually adjusting organisms from water of one type to another so that the organisms are not stressed from radical changes in temperature, hardness, pH, ionic strength, etc. Acute toxicity - the effect of a chemical or substance on an organism; usually de- fined as death of that organism. Application Factor - a value established from acute toxicity tests, usually as a fraction of the LC50, which estimates an instream toxicant level that will be safe for resident organisms. Aquatic - having to do with water. Aquatic Toxicology Group - the group within the Monitoring and Technical Services Unit (Water Quality Section) which performs aquatic bioassays for the Division of Environmental Management. The group is located at the Cary laboratory facilities. All test organisms (including Daphnia pulex and fathead minnows) are cultured at these facilities by Aquatic Toxicology personnel. Benthos/Benthic Macroinvertebrates - a wide assemblage of invertebrate animals (in- sects, crustaceans, mollusca, etc.) which live in streams, act as a very impor- tant food source for fish populations, and are used as long term water quality indicators. Bioassay - a test used to determine the effects of a chemical or substance on an organism. Calibration - the adjustment of meters or systems with standards of known values in order to assure the quality of data obtained from these meters or systems. Chronic toxicity - the effect of a chemical or substance on an organism, usually during a longer period of time than that measured for acute toxicity. This effect is usually measured as a non -fatal response. (e.g. reduction in growth, egg production, predator avoidance, feeding rate, etc.) Tests for chronic toxicity frequently take place on entire life cycles of organisms. Composite - a sample or method of sampling used to obtain data on a substance which may vary over time or space. For example; a time or temporal composite of a stream would be one that is collected at intervals of time at the same location. This is frequently accomplished with automatic sampling devices. Daphnia pulex - a small crustacean commonly called the water flea. It is found throughout most of North America and obtains a maximum size of approximately 3.5 mm. This organism has been adopted for aquatic bioassay testing because of its small size, ease -of culture under laboratory conditions, stability of genetic r strains, and sensitivity to toxic substances. D. pulex is widely accepted in the field of aquatic toxicology for testing in moderately soft waters. Design Flow - the volume of water and waste that is initially planned to pass through a facility of waste treatment plant and still allow maximum operating efficiency. Design flow is usually expressed in millions of gallons per day (MGD) Dilution (water) - the water used in bioassay tests to dilute the waste water to var- ious concentrations (expressed as percent). Wherever possible, this water is from the actual stream that receives the waste, upstream of this waste. When this is not possible, other suitable water is obtained. Dilutor - refers to a modified Mount and Brungs design serial dilution apparatus which receives dilution water and effluent/waste and, through a series of chambers and electrical solenoid valves, mixes the effluent into a series of concentrations for the test (expressed as percentages of 100% effluent). Effluent - the waste water exiting a facility which is discharged as treated waste to a stream or as untreated or pretreated waste to some other facility. Fathead minnow (Pimephelas promelas) - a small fish which accurs throughout much of North America. It obtains a maximum size of approximately 100 mm and is raised commercially as bait fish. The fathead minnow has now for numerous generations been raised in a limited number of laboratory cultures for use in toxicity testing. The fish can produce.eggs year round in the laboratory environment under correct conditions and this produces test organisms as needed. The two to three week age class is most often used for these tests. Flow -through - the flow -through bioassay utilized dilutor systems which either con- tinuously or occasionally replace effluent/toxicant concentrations throughout the test. Hydrolab - a multiparameter instrument which measures temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and specific conductance of water. Instream Waste Concentration (I.W.C.) - the percent concentration of an effluent/ toxicant which is discharged in a stream under assumed worst cas c conditions. D.F. where D.F. _ The I.W.C. is derived from the formula; 7Q10 x 100 = I.W.C. (%), Design Flow of the facility in question and 7Q10 = the ten year, seven day, low flow of the receiving stream. ISCO - a brand of automatic, unattended sampling devices which collect composite water samples. LC50 - that concentration or percentage of a waste/chemical/substance which is lethal to 50% of test organisms over a stated period of time. NPDES - National Pollution Discharge Elimination System. A system devised by the Federal Government and adopted by North Carolina for the permitting, monitoring, and oollutional abatement of dischargers to surface waters. Neonate - roughly translated to newly born. In reference to Daphnia pulex, the neonate refers to the life stage in the first and early second instar, generally the first 24 hours of its life. Screening Bioassay - a testing system established to determine general levels of toxicity of compounds/discharges using 48 hour Daphnia pulex tests quickly and relatively cheaply. 7Q10 - the measurement of a streams lowest average flow over a seven day period during a ten year span, generally stated"as flow in cubic feet per second (cfs). The 7Q10 is used in establishing instream waste concentrations to.assume worst case conditions. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - a chemical widely accepted as a toxicant for testing aquatic organisms for quality assurance purposes in order to determine the relative health of a testing culture. The chemical is a surfactant and relatively safe to use. Static - refers to an aquatic bioassay in which toxicant/effluent concentrations are set up at the beginning of the test and not changed for the rest of the test. This test is generally short term as compared to a flow -through or replacement test because of potential degradation of the toxicant/effluent. Toxicity - the adverse effect of a chemical/substance on an organism. Toxicity is usually defined as a fatal or non -fatal response over a given period of time. U.T. - Unnamed Tributary - a term given to streams which have no accepted name. V_