SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING TOXICITY FROM HIGH-TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS) EFFLUENTS BY ION-RATIO BALANCING

摘要

A system and method for management of point source discharges (e.g., mining, pulp and paper, other industrial/municipal) characterized by elevated (e.g., >1,000 mg/L) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) concentrations to achieve compliance with Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) requirements, where the aquatic toxicity is related to what is commonly referred to as TDS/ion imbalance, is disclosed. Concentrations of major inorganic ions in a water sample(s) that cause toxicity to aquatic organisms are analyzed to determine which of those cations and anions are deficient in the water sample(s); thereafter it is determined which ion-ratios in the sample(s) contribute to the toxicity to aquatic organisms; and thereafter it is determined which cations and anions to add to the water sample(s) to achieve compliance with aquatic toxicity regulations.