Revista Internacional de Contaminación Ambiental
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APROVECHAMIENTO DE RESIDUO DE BIOMASA FÚNGICA EN LA OBTENCIÓN DE UN SISTEMA MAGNÉTICO NANOESTRUCTURADO PARA REMOVER ARSÉNICO DEL AGUA
Get PDFApplication of filamentous fungi in biotechnological processes leads to the accumulation of biomass as waste. However, it is known that the fungal biomass contains various biopolymers among which is chitin -the precursor of chitosan. In the present work, fungal biomass was used as raw material for the extraction of a biopolymer containing chitosan by the acid/alkaline method. Different extraction conditions were assayed: the concentration of alkali, time, and temperature of treatments. The biopolymer was characterized and applied in the synthesis of nickel ferrite by the coprecipitation method demonstrating the possibility of obtaining a nanostructured magnetic system coated with fungal chitosan in a single step. The properties of the obtained nanostructured magnetic material were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that the nanostructured magnetic material coated with fungal chitosan removes 100 % of the arsenic present in a sample from a well of Comarca Lagunera (states of Durango and Coahuila, Mexico), as well as other ions that are not harmful to health. It was found that the capacity to remove arsenic is conserved in at least 15 tests of magnetic separation of this toxic pollutant. The results of the present work demonstrate the possibility of taking advantage of the fungal biomass residue, currently little used, for the design of magnetic nanomaterials with impact on the elimination of water from toxic pollutants by magnetic separation.La aplicación de hongos filamentosos en procesos biotecnológicos conduce a la acumulación de biomasa como residuo. Sin embargo, la biomasa fúngica contiene diversos biopolímeros entre los cuales se encuentra la quitina -el precursor del quitosán. En el presente trabajo la biomasa fúngica se utilizó como materia prima para la extracción del biopolímero que contiene quitosán mediante el método ácido/alcalino. Se aplicaron diferentes condiciones de extracción: la concentración de álcali, el tiempo y la temperatura de los tratamientos. El biopolímero fue caracterizado y aplicado en la síntesis de ferrita de níquel por el método de coprecipitación, demostrando la posibilidad de obtener un sistema magnético nanoestructurado recubierto con quitosán fúngico en una sola etapa. Las propiedades del material magnético nanoestructurado obtenido se evaluaron por difracción de rayos-X, magnetometría de muestra vibrante y espectrometría infrarroja por transformada de Fourier. Se demostró que el material magnético nanoestructurado recubierto con quitosán fúngico remueve el 100 % del arsénico presente en muestras de agua proveniente de un pozo de la Comarca Lagunera (estados de Durango y Coahuila, México), así como otros iones no nocivos para la salud. Se comprobó que la capacidad para remover el arsénico se conserva en al menos 15 ensayos. Los resultados del presente trabajo demuestran la posibilidad de aprovechar el residuo de biomasa fúngica, actualmente poco utilizado, para el diseño de nanomateriales magnéticos con impacto en la eliminación de contaminantes tóxicos del agua mediante la remoción magnética
CALIDAD DEL AGUA DEL ESTERO EL SAUCE, VALPARAÍSO, CHILE CENTRAL
Get PDFThe main objective of this work was to evaluate the water quality of the El Sauce estuary and its tributaries. The El Sauce estuary basin is located in the town of Laguna Verde, Valparaíso, Central Chile. Sampling took place in the summer season of 2013 and 2015, in 11 stations located along the basin, five of them distributed from its origin to its mouth in the sea and six located before entering its tributaries. Point and non-point sources downloaded in its course were identified. The direct discharge of water from a sewage treatment plant in the area of origin of the estuary, and in its middle zone the percolation of a municipal landfill, stand out for their volume. Its mouth is affected by non-point sources of domestic waters in the town of Laguna Verde. The results show that the estuary is a shallow water course, which quality Class 4 (poor) in most of its extension presents due to the content of organic matter, nutrients, chlorides, and fecal contamination, not complying with environmental regulations for any use. There is a lack of management and control plans in the use of this important resource. It has become a risk to the community, who use the water of the stream both to irrigate subsistence agriculture and for recreation with a direct contact at its mouth.Este trabajo tuvo por objetivo principal evaluar la calidad del agua del estero El Sauce en toda su extensión y sus afluentes. La cuenca del estero El Sauce se ubica en la localidad de Laguna Verde, Valparaíso, Chile Central. La toma de muestras se realizó en la época estival de 2013 y 2015, en 11 estaciones ubicadas a lo largo de la cuenca, cinco de ellas distribuidas desde su origen hasta su desembocadura en el mar y seis ubicadas antes del ingreso en sus afluentes. Se identificaron fuentes puntuales y no puntuales descargadas en su curso. Destaca por su volumen, en la zona de origen del estero, la descarga directa de una planta de tratamiento de aguas servidas, y en su zona media el ingreso de percolados de un relleno sanitario municipal. En tanto, su desembocadura se ve afectada por fuentes no puntuales de aguas domésticas en la localidad de Laguna Verde. Los resultados muestran que el estero es un curso de agua somero, que en gran parte de su extensión presenta calidad Clase 4 (mala) debido al contenido de materia orgánica, nutrientes, cloruros y contaminación fecal, por lo cual incumple con la normativa ambiental para cualquier uso. Se observan falta de planes de manejo y de fiscalización en la utilización de este importante recurso, cuyo uso se ha convertido en un riesgo para la comunidad. Ésta utiliza el agua del estero para el riego de una agricultura de subsistencia y recreación con contacto directo en su desembocadura
INDUSTRIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: ANALYSIS OF THE SCREENING PROCESS IN ARGENTINA
Get PDFThe approach of “pollute first, then clean up”, has been understood to be hard both technologically and economically. Therefore, the necessity of adopting another strategy, which is anticipate-and-prevent, has risen and consequently the environmental impact assessment (EIA) has emerged as a tool. Screening is one of the earliest steps of every EIA process and it is characterized as the determination of whether or not an environmental assessment must be prepared for a particular project. The aim of this paper is to identify, analyse and compare the methodological models regulating the screening process of industrial activity in Argentina, a federal country without a national directive concerning this particular matter and where each of the 24 districts are autonomous in this matter. This research was followed through employing a comparative method, which was implemented based on secondary data analysis. Three guiding questions and three criteria were used to compare the 24 districts. Six different screening process models were described (both qualitative and quantitative). The six chosen models were integrated into three great groups. The group of districts that present “Preliminary study” + “Case by case” approaches prevail, while in second place comes the “Threshold” + “Case by case” approaches. Finally, the more complete screening model, with specific legislation for EIA in industries and a quantitative environmental complexity index, turned out to be the least applied in Argentina.The approach of “pollute first, then clean up”, has been understood to be hard both technologically and economically. Therefore, the necessity of adopting another strategy, which is anticipate-and-prevent, has risen and consequently the environmental impact assessment (EIA) has emerged as a tool. Screening is one of the earliest steps of every EIA process and it is characterized as the determination of whether or not an environmental assessment must be prepared for a particular project. The aim of this paper is to identify, analyse and compare the methodological models regulating the screening process of industrial activity in Argentina, a federal country without a national directive concerning this particular matter and where each of the 24 districts are autonomous in this matter. This research was followed through employing a comparative method, which was implemented based on secondary data analysis. Three guiding questions and three criteria were used to compare the 24 districts. Six different screening process models were described (both qualitative and quantitative). The six chosen models were integrated into three great groups. The group of districts that present “Preliminary study” + “Case by case” approaches prevail, while in second place comes the “Threshold” + “Case by case” approaches. Finally, the more complete screening model, with specific legislation for EIA in industries and a quantitative environmental complexity index, turned out to be the least applied in Argentina.
UTILIZACIÓN DE UN BIORREACTOR CON MEMBRANAS SUMERGIDAS PARA EL TRATAMIENTO DE AGUAS RESIDUALES PROCEDENTES DE UN HOSPITAL ONCOLÓGICO
Get PDFSurface waters pollution with the so-called emerging pollutants (pharmaceutical compounds and pesticides, among others) is one of the great environmental problems of the 21st century. Even though conventional activated sludge systems alone are not capable of carrying out the decontamination of these waters, the technology of submerged membrane bioreactors (SMBR) has been recently considered for the treatment of these contaminated waters, since the activated sludges that are part of these systems work under non-conventional operating conditions (high sludge age and high biomass concentration). This can favor the gradual growth of the bacterial community, as well as the development of physiological and adaptive capacities of microorganisms to degrade a specific organic compound. In the present work, the operation of a pilot SMBR installed at the exit of an oncology hospital was monitored, for which the chemical oxygen demand and nitrogen in the residual input, in the supernatant and in the permeate of the SMBR were determined. Finally, the heterotrophic yield coefficient was estimated by means of respirometric tests, observing the substrate storage phenomenon as a response of microorganisms for the development of physiological adaptive capacities. In general, the results obtained show the ability of microorganisms to adapt to the presence of pharmaceutical compounds from an oncology hospital, as well as the efficiency of these systems for the hospital wastewater treatment.La contaminación de aguas superficiales con los denominados contaminantes emergentes (fármacos y pesticidas, entre otros) constituye uno de los grandes problemas ambientales del siglo XXI. Aunque los sistemas convencionales de lodos activados no son capaces por sí solos de llevar a cabo la descontaminación de estas aguas, recientemente la tecnología de biorreactores con membranas sumergidas (BMS) ha sido considerada para el tratamiento de estas aguas contaminadas, ya que los lodos activados que forman parte de dichos sistemas trabajan en condiciones de operación no convencionales (alta edad del lodo y alta concentración de biomasa). Esto puede favorecer tanto el crecimiento paulatino del consorcio bacteriano como el desarrollo de capacidades fisiológicas y de adaptación de los microorganismos para degradar un compuesto orgánico específico. En el presente trabajo se realizó el seguimiento del funcionamiento de un BMS instalado a la salida de un hospital oncológico, para lo cual se determinaron la demanda química de oxígeno y el nitrógeno en el residual de entrada, en el sobrenadante y en el permeado del BMS. Finalmente se estimó el coeficiente de rendimiento heterótrofo mediante pruebas respirométricas, observándose el fenómeno de almacenamiento de sustrato como respuesta de los microorganismos para el desarrollo de capacidades fisiológicas de adaptación. En general, los resultados obtenidos muestran la capacidad de adaptación de los microorganismos a la presencia de fármacos procedentes de un hospital oncológico, así como la eficiencia de estos sistemas para el tratamiento de aguas residuales hospitalarias
CONCENTRATION OF TRACE METALS IN SOME MAJOR EDIBLE OILS OF RIYADH
Get PDFChemical elements play major roles in various metabolic processes in the human body. Moreover, some of these elements are toxic if consumed in excessive quantities. In this study, a total of 11 elements (Mn+2, Fe+2, Cu+2, Cr+3, Zn+2, Ni+2, Se, Pb+2, As+3, and Al+3) were studied in edible vegetable oil samples by using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. The concentration of the metals was found to be in trace level lower than the maximum allowable concentration limit set by the World Health Organization as well as the recommended daily intake of metals. Pearson correlation coefficients showed strong correlations between Cr and Fe (0.998), Cr and Mn (0.994), Cr and Ni (0.985), Fe and Mn (0.994), Fe and Ni (0.985), Mn and Ni (0.978), and As and Se (0.997). It can be concluded that the edible vegetable oil samples were free of any chemical element contamination.Chemical elements play major roles in various metabolic processes in the human body. Moreover, some of these elements are toxic if consumed in excessive quantities. In this study, a total of 11 elements (Mn+2, Fe+2, Cu+2, Cr+3, Zn+2, Ni+2, Se, Pb+2, As+3, and Al+3) were studied in edible vegetable oil samples by using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. The concentration of the metals was found to be in trace level lower than the maximum allowable concentration limit set by the World Health Organization as well as the recommended daily intake of metals. Pearson correlation coefficients showed strong correlations between Cr and Fe (0.998), Cr and Mn (0.994), Cr and Ni (0.985), Fe and Mn (0.994), Fe and Ni (0.985), Mn and Ni (0.978), and As and Se (0.997). It can be concluded that the edible vegetable oil samples were free of any chemical element contamination
POTENTIAL MOBILITY AND TOXICITY RISK OF METAL POLLUTANTS IN SOILS FROM A TROPICAL AREA AFFECTED BY INDUSTRIAL WASTES
Get PDFThe potential mobility of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in soils severely impacted by inadequate storage of industrial wastes in Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil) was evaluated by applying the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). This procedure allowed the estimation of toxicity risks for Cd, Cr and Pb. In a contamination hotspot within the study area, the following order of metal concentrations was observed: Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cd > Cr, with significantly higher values than observed for a control site. Decades of soil exposure to wastes implied TCLP results for Pb above 300 mg/L in this hotspot, which exceed the TCLP regulatory threshold in two orders of magnitude, while Cd (up to 0.8 mg/L) and Cr (up to 0.3 mg/L) results were below the respective TCLP thresholds. Surface soil profile analysis (0-30 cm depth) indicates that Pb vertical migration occurs in the hotspot. TCLP concentrations of Pb were up to four orders of magnitude higher than the groundwater quality threshold preconized by Brazilian regulations for this metal (0.01 mg/L), suggesting that downward dispersion of large loadings of anthropogenic Pb is a major concern.The potential mobility of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in soils severely impacted by inadequate storage of industrial wastes in Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil) was evaluated by applying the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). This procedure allowed the estimation of toxicity risks for Cd, Cr and Pb. In a contamination hotspot within the study area, the following order of metal concentrations was observed: Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cd > Cr, with significantly higher values than observed for a control site. Decades of soil exposure to wastes implied TCLP results for Pb above 300 mg/L in this hotspot, which exceed the TCLP regulatory threshold in two orders of magnitude, while Cd (up to 0.8 mg/L) and Cr (up to 0.3 mg/L) results were below the respective TCLP thresholds. Surface soil profile analysis (0-30 cm depth) indicates that Pb vertical migration occurs in the hotspot. TCLP concentrations of Pb were up to four orders of magnitude higher than the groundwater quality threshold preconized by Brazilian regulations for this metal (0.01 mg/L), suggesting that downward dispersion of large loadings of anthropogenic Pb is a major concern
TOTAL CONTENT AND AVAILABILITY OF MICRONUTRIENTS IN SOILS AND LIVESTOCK MANURE
Get PDFThe use of feedlot cattle manure appears as an important source of certain trace metals in soils that can be mobilized by water modifying the surface and groundwater quality. The current study is focused on assessing the availability of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co) and molybdenum (Mo) in manure from confined beef cattle systems and different soils of the Chaco-pampean plain, using a sequential extraction scheme. Soils and bovine manure coming from intensive (IS) and extensive (ES) beef cattle systems were collected. Total contents of Cu, Zn, Co and Mo were determined after microwave assisted acid digestion. Availability was evaluated through sequential extraction, including water-soluble and exchangeable fraction (EXCH), organic matter bound fraction (OM), inorganic precipitated fraction (INOR), and residual fraction (RES). Total Cu and Zn contents found in manure coming from IS were higher than the concentration of the aforementioned trace elements determined in all soils and manure analyzed from ES. EXCH-Cu only appears in IS cattle manure samples, while EXCH-Zn found in IS manure samples were higher than the soils samples analyzed. The higher levels of total and availability forms of Cu and Zn determined in IS manure compared to soils samples, require considering when this organic amendment is applied as fertilizer. These results indicate that the reuse of intensive cattle manure as fertilizer in agricultural areas could provide available forms of metals in soils and could contribute to reduce the environmental impact caused by the accumulation of excreta in pen soils during long periods in farms. The use of feedlot cattle manure appears as an important source of certain trace metals in soils that can be mobilized by water modifying the surface and groundwater quality. The current study is focused on assessing the availability of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co) and molybdenum (Mo) in manure from confined beef cattle systems and different soils of the Chaco-pampean plain, using a sequential extraction scheme. Soils and bovine manure coming from intensive (IS) and extensive (ES) beef cattle systems were collected. Total contents of Cu, Zn, Co and Mo were determined after microwave assisted acid digestion. Availability was evaluated through sequential extraction, including water-soluble and exchangeable fraction (EXCH), organic matter bound fraction (OM), inorganic precipitated fraction (INOR), and residual fraction (RES). Total Cu and Zn contents found in manure coming from IS were higher than the concentration of the aforementioned trace elements determined in all soils and manure analyzed from ES. EXCH-Cu only appears in IS cattle manure samples, while EXCH-Zn found in IS manure samples were higher than the soils samples analyzed. The higher levels of total and availability forms of Cu and Zn determined in IS manure compared to soils samples, require considering when this organic amendment is applied as fertilizer. These results indicate that the reuse of intensive cattle manure as fertilizer in agricultural areas could provide available forms of metals in soils and could contribute to reduce the environmental impact caused by the accumulation of excreta in pen soils during long periods in farms.
PROPÁGULOS FÚNGICOS Y PARTÍCULAS CONTAMINANTES PRESENTES EN FOSAS NASALES DE VOLUNTARIOS EN LA UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA METROPOLITANA UNIDAD XOCHIMILCO
Get PDFThe emission of pollutants into the atmosphere of Mexico City and the metropolitan area causes air quality problems. Part of the inorganic compounds comes from natural and anthropogenic processes. However, bioaerosols such as fungi are also present, and they are capable of causing respiratory diseases. The objective of the investigation was a preliminary study for the recovery and identification of fungal propagules from samples of members of the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco community. Thirteen volunteers underwent nasal washes upon arrival at the university and after an hour, Petri dishes were placed for sedimentation by gravity in the places where they were between samplings. Part of the sample was placed in Bengal rose agar, another fraction was observed under a microscope and another was used for the analysis of elemental chemistry. As results, the most frequent fungal genera were Penicillium and Cladosporium, and Penicillium by sedimentation. Yeasts were also isolated; the species with the highest number of colonies from nasal washes were Candida guilliermondii and C. tropicalis, by sedimentation Cryptococcus humicola. Among the elements identified were traces of metals such as Ti, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Ni. Nasal washes can be used as a strategy to know the fungal microbiota in the respiratory tract, as well as part of preventive strategies in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases.La emisión de contaminantes a la atmósfera de la Ciudad de México y zona metropolitana ha provocado problemas de calidad de aire. Parte de los compuestos inorgánicos provienen de procesos naturales y antropogénicos. Sin embargo, también están presentes bioaerosoles, como los hongos, capaces de provocar enfermedades respiratorias. El objetivo de la investigación fue un estudio preliminar para la recuperación e identificación de propágulos fúngicos a partir de muestras de miembros de la comunidad de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana -Xochimilco. A trece voluntarios se les realizaron lavados nasales al llegar a la universidad y después de una hora, se colocaron cajas de Petri para sedimentación por gravedad en los sitios donde estuvieron entre muestreos. Una parte de la muestra se sembró en medio agar rosa Bengala, otra fracción se observó en microscopio y otra se empleó para el análisis de química elemental. Como resultados los géneros fúngicos más frecuentes fueron Penicillium y Cladosporium, por sedimentación Penicillium. También se aislaron levaduras, las especies con mayor número de colonias en lavados nasales fueron Candida guilliermondii y C. tropicalis, por sedimentación Cryptococcus humicola. Dentro de los elementos identificados se encontraron trazas de metales como Ti, Zn, Cr, Fe y Ni. Los lavados nasales pueden ser empleados como una estrategia para conocer la microbiota fúngica en vías respiratorias, así como parte de estrategias preventivas dentro del diagnóstico de enfermedades respiratorias
COPPER IMPROVES THE PRODUCTION OF LACCASE BY Pleurotus sajor-caju WITH ABILITY TO GROW ON EFFLUENTS OF THE CITRUS INDUSTRY
Get PDFThis research is aimed to evaluate the effect of copper on biomass growth, laccase activity and isoenzymes composition of Pleurotus sajor-caju, and its ability to grow on effluents of the citrus industry. The inhibitory effect of copper on growth was evidenced especially after 14 days of culture in the presence of the highest concentration of copper (1 mM) reducing almost three times its growth. The highest enzyme activity was reached at the 10th day of treatment, with ~ 53 U/L for the medium without copper and ~ 121 and ~ 68 U/L for medium supplemented with 0.5 and 1mM, respectively. Laccases in cell-free extracts obtained from culture added with copper showed to be more stable for more time at temperature changes. The optimum temperature for laccase activity increased from 50 to 60 ºC by effect of copper while the optimal pH was 5 in all experiments. In gels, it was possible to observe two isoenzymes of 65 and 35 kDa whose expression varied according to incubation time. Moreover, the isoenzyme of low molecular weight was induced by the presence of effluent in solid medium. P. sajor-caju had the ability to grow on effluents from the citrus industry, showing tolerance and potential for waste treatment, constituting a possible alternative to biodegrade and reduce the contaminating impact of effluents.This research is aimed to evaluate the effect of copper on biomass growth, laccase activity and isoenzymes composition of Pleurotus sajor-caju, and its ability to grow on effluents of the citrus industry. The inhibitory effect of copper on growth was evidenced especially after 14 days of culture in the presence of the highest concentration of copper (1 mM) reducing almost three times its growth. The highest enzyme activity was reached at the 10th day of treatment, with ~ 53 U/L for the medium without copper and ~ 121 and ~ 68 U/L for medium supplemented with 0.5 and 1mM, respectively. Laccases in cell-free extracts obtained from culture added with copper showed to be more stable for more time at temperature changes. The optimum temperature for laccase activity increased from 50 to 60 ºC by effect of copper while the optimal pH was 5 in all experiments. In gels, it was possible to observe two isoenzymes of 65 and 35 kDa whose expression varied according to incubation time. Moreover, the isoenzyme of low molecular weight was induced by the presence of effluent in solid medium. P. sajor-caju had the ability to grow on effluents from the citrus industry, showing tolerance and potential for waste treatment, constituting a possible alternative to biodegrade and reduce the contaminating impact of effluents
EFFICIENCY OF EFFLUENT TREATMENT OF MEATPACKING AND TEXTILE PLANTS, IN PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL TERMS
Get PDFThe disposal of untreated effluents directly affects the water quality of the receiving medium, which can cause damage to the aquatic ecosystem and to human health. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the toxicity and the physical and chemical parameters of raw and treated effluents of a meatpacking and a textile plant, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. Thus, cytotoxic tests with Allium cepa L. and the immobility/mortality test with Artemia salina L., besides the physical and chemical tests of pH, ammoniacal nitrogen, oxygen demand, total solids, chlorides and alkalinity were used. The immobility/mortality test with Artemia salina L. revealed the absence of dead organisms in the tested low concentrations of raw and treated meatpacking and textile effluents. However, the highest concentrations of raw meatpacking effluents (50 % and 100 %) and treated meatpacking effluents (100 %) caused the mortality of organisms. Raw and treated textile effluents were statistically toxic only at the highest concentration evaluated (100 %). Furthermore, the raw and treated effluents of the meatpacking and textile plants were not cytotoxic in the test with Allium cepa L. The results of the physicochemical analyses proved the effectiveness of the treatment of the meatpacking effluents in terms of diminished pH, ammoniacal nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, and total solids. And the raw effluents from the textile plant also exhibited a reduction in pH, chlorides, alkalinity and total solids. The treatments were effective for these effluents, but still had a toxic effect on A. salina. Thus, it is indicated that additional treatment should be carried out in the textile and meatpacking effluents, emphasizing the importance of adequate treatment systems to prevent environmental harm and public health problems.The disposal of untreated effluents directly affects the water quality of the receiving medium, which can cause damage to the aquatic ecosystem and to human health. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the toxicity and the physical and chemical parameters of raw and treated effluents of a meatpacking and a textile plant, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. Thus, cytotoxic tests with Allium cepa L. and the immobility/mortality test with Artemia salina L., besides the physical and chemical tests of pH, ammoniacal nitrogen, oxygen demand, total solids, chlorides and alkalinity were used. The immobility/mortality test with Artemia salina L. revealed the absence of dead organisms in the tested low concentrations of raw and treated meatpacking and textile effluents. However, the highest concentrations of raw meatpacking effluents (50 % and 100 %) and treated meatpacking effluents (100 %) caused the mortality of organisms. Raw and treated textile effluents were statistically toxic only at the highest concentration evaluated (100 %). Furthermore, the raw and treated effluents of the meatpacking and textile plants were not cytotoxic in the test with Allium cepa L. The results of the physicochemical analyses proved the effectiveness of the treatment of the meatpacking effluents in terms of diminished pH, ammoniacal nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, and total solids. And the raw effluents from the textile plant also exhibited a reduction in pH, chlorides, alkalinity and total solids. The treatments were effective for these effluents, but still had a toxic effect on A. salina. Thus, it is indicated that additional treatment should be carried out in the textile and meatpacking effluents, emphasizing the importance of adequate treatment systems to prevent environmental harm and public health problems