Physicochemical characterization of Atlantic Canadian seafood processing plant effluent.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary assessment of the potential impacts of Atlantic Canadian seafood processing effluents on the aquatic environment through physical-chemical characterization. Shellfish and finfish effluent samples were collected and characterized by biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), adsorbable organic halides (AOX), soluble BOD5 and soluble COD. Effluent concentration ranges were BOD5 (179 to 276mgL(-1)), COD (458 to 1717mgL(-1)), turbidity (28.8 to 88.3NTU), TSS (27.2 to 120.1mgL(-1)), NH3-N (1.5 to 12.9mgL(-1)) and AOX (3.2 and 0.4mgL(-1)) for flatfish and salmon processing effluents respectively, and cleanup shift AOX (3.5 and 0.5mgL(-1)). The characteristics of these effluents assessed have the potential to contaminate and degrade receiving water body environments. Improved performance may be possible with further treatment technology optimization on an effluent-specific basis.