AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD FOR FLUORIDE ADJUSTMENT IN MARINE ACUTE BIOMONITORING TESTS

An alternative method, using ResinTech SIR-900® absorbent, for fluoride adjustment in marine acute biomonitoring tests was developed at the PBS&J Environmental Toxicology Laboratory. In this study, the new method was evaluated and compared with two other fluoride adjustment methods, “ion exchange with IRA-402® resin” and “alkaline calcium chloride precipitation.” Paired tests using the new method and either of the two older methods were conducted with several coastal-Texas refinery effluents. The treated effluents were used in 24-hr acute biomonitoring tests with the mysid (Americamysis bahia). It was demonstrated that the new method is easy to use and efficacious at removing fluoride. Moreover, the new method is more tolerant of effluent sulfate concentration than is ion exchange with IRA-402, and it has the added benefit of eliminating artifact calcium toxicity which may be caused by the alkaline calcium chloride procedure. One drawback of the new method is that it may not be suitable for use with effluents containing high concentrations of lead and/or arsenic.